The Darülfünun, first western-style university in the empire, held its first lecture.

The Institution

The Darülfünun was the first attempt at establishing a university that would meet the needs of the age, following the Edict of Gülhane which began a massive transformation of the state machinery. On 13 Jan 1863 the first public lecture was held in the pictured building but the effort proved a failure when the school was closed within a year following conservative backlash. The second opening took place at a different building, now the Turkish Journalism Museum, in 1869 but again conservative backlash, a lack of sufficient teaching staff (supplemented by the War College) and insufficient student availability took its toll and the school closed again in 1872. The third attempt was within the famous Galatasaray High School in 1874 which saw the curriculum change to French but again insufficient students were available and the school closed once again 1877. The final opening was held in 1900 following the 1897 Greco-Turkish War, under strict government supervision and the school expanded rapidly following the Second Reform Period in 1908. It further strengthened around WW1 with the assistance of German professors and finally became what is now the Istanbul University, 10 years after the formation of the republic in 1933.

It's worth noting that it was always intended to serve civilians. Other schools of higher learning like the Harbiye (now Turkish Military Academy) and Mülkiye (now Ankara Uni Faculty of Political Science) were essential to the functioning of the state so they modernized gradually, without threat to their existence.

The Building

Although originally commissioned for the Darülfünun, the building in the picture was barely used for its intended purpose. It was designed by Gaspare Fosatti, famous with his brother for conducting the final restoration of the Hagia Sophia and building numerous public and private buildings around 19th century Istanbul.

1846: Construction begins.
1854: Partial completion, used as hospital throughout Crimean War for French soldiers.
1863-64: Darülfünun
1864-76: Given to Ministry of Finance and later Ministry of Justice
1877: House of first and second Ottoman parliament
1878-1908: Unused, on account of suspension of first Ottoman parliament and constitution
1908: House of third Ottoman parliament
1920s to 1933: Istanbul Courthouse
1933: Burned down.

More pics: 1 2 3

The ottoman empire is what op means since he did not say.