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Istiklal Street |
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 The
entertainment centers of istanbul are located along istiklal
Caddesi (istiklal Street) in the heart of the Beyoglu district.
Something interesting and exciting is always happening on
istiklal with its hundreds of restaurants, cafes, and bars, the
many art galleries, cinemas and theaters.
While strolling down istiklal, visitors will be fascinated by
the architecture of the buildings, most of which date from the
late 19th century.
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Several of istanbul's oldest
neighborhoods are located on and around istiklal and were
settled
over the centuries by foreigners who came to the city to live
and work. Among the oldest residents of the area are the Genoese
who arrived during the mid-13th century. Named "Grand Rue de
Pera" by westerners or "Cadde-i Kebir" (The Great Street) by the
Ottomans, istiklal became more important in the 19th century
upon the building of several foreign consulate offices.
The street has witnessed a dynamic redevelopment in the past 25
years since many of the older buildings have been restored and
re-opened. |
If
you begin your tour of istiklal at the old-time streetcar (Tramway)
stop in Taksim Square, the first building you pass right is the
French Consulate. Walking along, you will pass the AFM Cinemas,
restaurants and shops, many of them in buildings with
interesting classically decorated falfades. The side streets of
istiklal also offer an abundance of stores, bookshops, cafes,
and things to do along the way. The first street on the left
from Taksim Square is Meşelik Sokak, where you can access Hagia
Triada Greek Orthodox Church which can be seen from Taksim
Square. Built by Russians in 1880, it is one of the first
examples of vaulted architecture. On the ground floors of
several buildings facing the main street, there are small
passageways that are among the unique aspects of istiklal Within
Halep Çarşısı (Halep Bazaar) there is the Beyoglu Sinemasi (Beyoglu
Cinema) and Ses Tiyatrosu (Ses Theatre), formerly a movie
theater. In the passage, together with restaurants there are
souvenir shops especially attractive for young people. Just
across the street, in Atlas Pasajı (Atlas Passage) are the Atlas
Sineması (Atlas Cinema) and Sadri Alışık Tiyatrosu (Sadri Alışık
Theatre).
Atlas is known for its stores that sell collectibles and
alternative clothing shops. Reaching Galatasaray, just before
Cicek Pasaji (Flower Market) on the right, stands Tokatlıyan Is
Hani, a business building that used to be one of the three
original luxury hotels of the city. The restaurant and
patisserie were a meeting point for celebrities and foreign
guests up until the 1950s.
Though the hotel has seen the passage of time, it is still quite
a dynamic place. In the office block, you can see side by side
stores selling oriental belly dance costumes and tattoo parlors. |
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 One of the most popular symbols of istiklal Avenue is the
nostalgic streetcar called the Tramway that travels the entire
length of
the street between Taksim and Tunel. At one time, this and other
streetcars connected to many districts of the city. The
streetcars that are in use today were revamped and started to be
used again in 1990. The sound of the streetcar bell and the
images that it conjures up, delight the pedestrians on the
street even more than the passengers.
On the single track, one car departs from Taksim and the other
from Tunel every
15 minutes, and the two are timed to meet halfway at the
Galatasaray High Schoolstop and continue on. If you get off the
streetcar at Tünel Square,you can board the tünel, a funicular
system that connects to Karakoy. A similar streetcar operates
between Kadikoy and Moda on the Anatolian side.
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TAKSIM
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 Taksim
is largest and liveliest public square in the city. The area is
named after its usage as an important water division (taksim)
center in Ottoman times. In fact, it is possible to see the old,
small domed office of the water division unit at the top of,
though it remains closed to public. Istiklal Street. The
Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Statue of Republic) in Taksim Square is an
important symbol of the city.
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Completed by the Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica in 1928, it is
a true monument of the Republic. The design of the square and
the base of statue created by architect Moniceri. To the
northeast of the is Ataturk Kultur Merkezi, AKM (Ataturk
Cultural Center) where important artistic events and exhibitions
take place. Taksim Sahnesi (Taksim Stage) and Aziz Nesin Sahnesi
(Aziz Nesin Stage) are also within Taksim Square.
Adjoining the Square is Gezi Parkı (Excursion Park), an ideal
place to take a break and drink tea under the trees with a view
of the Bosphorus. In the Talimhane section, which has been
closed to traffic and has been developing rapidly in recent
years, there are many hotels, entertainment venues, and
restaurants serving a wide array of international cuisines. |
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FLOWER MARKET
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 The Flower Market is one of the most distinguishing buildings in
Beyoglu, offering a very unique ambiance. Lying like the letter
"L"
between two doors, one entrance is on the street while the other
is accessible from the Balık Pazarı (Fish Market). The passage
was used as an opera house during the reigns of Sultan
Abdülhamit and Abdülaziz and hosted Italian composers.
After the 1870 fire, which impacted all of Beyoglu, it was
designed by architect Cleanthy Zanno as a bazaar and apartment
block and built by Hiristaki Zografos. After World War I,
aristocrats
from Russia moved here along with the established craftsmen that
were selling flowers. The name Flower Market is a relic from
this period. Restored several times since then, long established
restaurants have been serving their guests in this glorious and
lively passage.
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FISH MARKET |
 Next
to Flower Market is Balık Pazarı (Fish Market), an ideal place
to try traditional Turkish Food like kokorec and mussels in the
shell. Fresh fish, seafood, vegetables. Fruit and authentic
spices are sold within the market. One of the two passage is
opening to the Market is Avrupa Pasaji (Europe Passage), which
is a restored historical building where authentic souvenirs are
sold. After the Beyoğlu fire it was rebuilt by M.Scribe.
In the passage, two floors are occupied by stores Authentic
Turkish souvenirs like nargile (water pipes) tea sets and
scarves are sold in the passage, which is also known for the
sculptures on the second floor. In Aslıhan Carsisi (Aslıhan
Bazaar) right next door, there are second hand bookstalls
selling boks in many languages. |
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NEVIZADE |
 Nevizade, famous for traditional turkish restaurants. Both
Flower Market and Nevizade are full of restaurants ideal for
having fresh
fish and authentic Mediterranean and Aegean appetizers that
specialize in fresh vegetables dishes made with olive oil (zeytinyagli).
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GALATASARAY |
 Leaving
the Fish Market, as you join the crowd on istiklal again, you
come across the grand entrance to Galatasaray Lisesi
(Galatasaray High School). Dating from the 15th century, this
school held great significance for the Ottoman army.
In 1868, Galatasaray was established by Sultan Abdiilaziz as a
civilian educational institution, the "Mekteb-i Sultani" (Sultan's
School). The school has trained many well-known artists,
musicians, writers, and politicians. Galatasaray Football Club,
which won the UEFA Cup and Super Cup in 2000, was also founded
as an offshoot of Galatasaray High School.
Fransiz Sokagi (French Street) behind the high school, was
established during the recent refurbishing efforts in Beyoglu.
With its restaurants, art galleries, and shops, the street is
influenced by French culture which, at one time, dominated
Beyoglu. Another outstanding building on istiklal across from
the high school is the Yapl Kredi Culture Center, presenting
important international art and archeology exhibitions. Right
beside the Yapi Kredi Center, stands the Mısır Apartment with
its impressive façade.
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 In the early 1900s, the Ottoman governor of Egypt, Abbas Halim
Pasha, commissioned architect Hovsep Aznavuryan to build the
Mısır Apartment as his winter house. The building is in the art
nouveau style, more examples of which can be seen throughout
Beyoglu. Besides the family of the governor, who bore titles of
prince and princess, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the writer of the
Turkish national anthem, also lived in the building. Today art
galleries, theatres, and restaurants operate there.
The Aznavur Passage, just across from the Yapı Kredi Culture
Center, used to house clock and instrument stores, pool halls,
and cafes during its first years in the late 19th century. It is
interesting that the stores within Aznavur Passage today
continue with similar places. Here you
can also find high quality authentic Turkish handicrafts.
Also, in the DanışmanPassage next to the building there are hat
shops, button shops and tailors that have been around since 1871
when it was first opened.
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ST. ANTOINE CHURCH |
 Down
the street going from Galatasaray toward Tunel, St. Antoine
Church, one of the most striking religious buildings in the city
comes into view on the left. After the closure of Concordia
Theatre in 1906, construction of the church began and ended in
1912.
The architect of St. Antoine, which is one of the biggest
Catholic churches in Turkey, was Giulio Mongeri, an Italian born
and raised in istanbul Built in Italian neo-gothic style, the
church, which attracts attention with its impressive symmetry,
is one of the world's first examples of reinforced concrete
church buildings. In front of the church,two building blocks
with shops extending on either side were added in order to bring
revenue to support the church. |
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Anatolian Kavak and Lighthouse