In Manisa, Turkey, a centuries-old Calabrian pine grows straight through a building, its massive trunk passing through balconies and reaching the terrace above. The building belongs to the Saruhan Bey Science, Culture, and Education Foundation, and the story behind it is as unusual as it is beautiful.
Instead of cutting down the 325-year-old tree, the architects redesigned the building. They dug the foundation carefully, moved walls, and made openings in the balconies so the tree could grow freely. According to the foundation, no major roots were harmed. One of the members said, “We could not bear to cut that tree … its life and existence are sacred.”
The sight is incredible. The tree looks like it belongs there, its branches spreading naturally through the building, creating a living connection between nature and human life. Standing there, it feels like seeing time itself, centuries of growth blending with the present.
The foundation’s engineer, İbrahim Okşaş, explained in an interview, “When we built, we canceled a supporting column and pushed the wall back so the tree could go through the building. We believe every life has value, human or plant.”
People from around the world have shared photos of this building, amazed at the unusual combination of old tree and modern construction. The pine continues to grow, alive and strong, quietly reminding everyone that nature can coexist with human spaces if we give it a chance.
