Bakirkoy Florya

The area of the airport is under the municipal authority of the Bakirkoy district. One of the oldest districts of istanbul, Bakirkoy in ancient times was a town known as Hebdemon founded on the road linking Byzantium to Europe. This area later experienced various invasions.

Bakirkoy has been home to many historic works of art starting from ancient times. Among the more important ones are the Fildami Cistern from the Byzantium era, Baruthane (gunpowder factory), which reflects 17th century Ottoman architecture, Carsi Mosque and Carsi Fountain also from the 17th century, but rebuilt by Sultan Abdulaziz in 1875. The cistern was a place to collect water for the Byzantines, but the Ottomans used the area as a shelter for the palace elephants.

Today it is a well-known concert hall. Baruthane was built far away from the old city, but when the city expanded in all directions, the place was surrounded by houses. Baruthane hosts istanbul's first modern residential area, known as Atakoy, which was built in the fifties as a public project. It developed together with Bakirkoy and almost became a second city outside the istanbul city center. Rapidly grown shopping malls, a marina and restaurants made Atakoy an attractive center of tourism as well. Atakoy Marina Yacht Club is a luxurious members' clubhouse, offering comfort and cozziness, suberb meals and wines to both its members and owners of visiting yachts from abroad. Besides, the private lounge with a marvelous view of Marmara Sea and the feelgood chimney-room are excellent places for business meetings and socializing.