Bakırköy City in Istanbul

Bakırköy is a suburb which has features of being sea side and of being historical district based on too past. Also, Bakırköy was the largest district which has largest surface area until 1989, however, Küçükçekmece has left the Bakırköy first and became a district. Then Bahçelievler, Bağcılar and Güngören became districts of Istanbul. After these events, Bakırköy was seriously degraded and the population was decreased drastically.

After giving general knowledge about the county, we mention the history of Bakırköy which is important for Istanbul because the county has been protected for Byzantine Era. During Byzantine Era, Bakırköy was the center of military and political and in these times the name of district was Hebdomon. Later, several times the name was changed such as Jeptimun, Makrohori, Makriköy and in 1925 Makriköy, which was called in Ottoman Empire Era, was changed as Bakırköy in the Republic of Turkey Period. Yeşilköy (green village), where the name was Ayastefanos in ancient time, was under the occupation of the Russian that caused seriously the deterioration of structure. In addition, one of the most important events was the French occupation. After the War of Salvation, occupation had been removed and the county was taken the first step to the Republic, therefore, the most important and historical places are located in Yeşilköy, with old name in Ayastefanos.

The economy of Bakırköy is based on industry and trade. Commercial shopping centers of Bakırköy which provide the needs of people are Galleria, Carousel, Town Center, Capacity and Marmara Forum. There are also many classrooms and special schools that caused to increase the level of social life and culture as well as mobility and commercial life. These keep alive the county. You should visit Bakırköy to witness of historical heritage.

Beykoz City in Istanbul

Beykoz near the west part of Kocaeli- Catalca is located in Kocaeli Peninsula. Because of the Bosphorus appearing clearly from Istanbul, Beykoz has a special feature of the town of Istanbul. At the same time Beykoz is a county of having both Black Sea and Marmara Coasts. Beykoz and the surrounding are generally covered by forests which consist of linden trees, oak trees, hornbeams, hazelnut trees.

In general Beykoz was a region with factories due to industrialization in the early years of Republican period. Increasing in the number of factories, the settlements in this area was actualized by the workers. The relocation of the Bosphorus, one of the most beautiful places in the next few years was a huge increase in interest. The Bosphorus shores of the region especially in recent years have started to overflow with villas. Constructing with this respect, a very different dimension of Beykoz district seems to be carried and will carry even more. Beykoz is one of the districts referred by people who have high levels of economic income.

Besides the positive aspects, you can view the problems as a lot of common problems of Istanbul in this county. Unplanned urbanization can be seen clearly. Many of the houses in this district without a title deed and the so-called squatter settlements are tending. This reconstruction problem which occurred in the district laid the groundwork due to the sub- structure. Beykoz district also contains the settlements within the former. These settlements are Merkez, Yalıköy, Anatolian Fortress and Kanlıca, Paşabahçe. Detached houses belonging to people in these places to be in the style of old-style houses that smell of these regions by two wall, and this aspect has been a factor in the county has added a different air.

Eyüp City in Istanbul

It will not be wrong to say that Eyüp is the most important and special place among the districts of Istanbul. The history of Eyüp based on very ancient time and has vital importance. If we consider the name of county, we can see it came from ancient time too so we should talk about history.

Eyüp was located outside the walls of the province covering the area in the Byzantine Era, but there was a village. The reason of that, there were two rivers and large amounts of clean water was supplied from these rivers. During this period, there was a church located in the village. This church was used as a cemetery for a while. A person whose name was Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet had been attended the conquest of Istanbul and killed during the conquest. The person was known as Eyüp Sultan and the grave of Eyüp Sultan was buried in here and gave the name to the region. The grave is located in Eyüp Sultan Mosque. From this time, the region has been called as Eyüp. Tourists visit the county certain times of the every year.

Istanbul had been growing unplanned in 17th and 18th centuries. In these centuries, Turkish communities and Caucasians began to come in the city Istanbul from the Balkans so Eyüp began to lose its former importance because factories had been established along the banks of Golden Horn with the effect of the industrial revolution. The first established factory was Feshane which was established to produce fez for the Ottoman Army.

When we look at the present day, we can say the all factories which were established during the industrial revolution were shut down but the factories have been established in other places. It was known by everyone that the estuary (Haliç) was smelling too bad and after closure of factories, the odor was eliminated so Eyüp has been started to gain the importance back. Pierre Loti who was a poet was recognized with admiration of Istanbul and in Eyüp there are a café which name is Pierre Loti and it is one of the most beautiful places which have a glamorous view of Istanbul.

Nişantaşı City in Istanbul

Nisantasi is a quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, comprising neighbourhoods like Tesvikiye, Osmanbey, Macka and Pangalty. It includes the stores of world famous brands and has many popular cafés, pubs, restaurants and night clubs. It is a part of the Sisli district. Abdi Ipekci Street, Turkeys most expensive shopping street in terms of lease prices, stretches from the neighbourhoods of Maçka and Tesvikiye to the center of Nisantasi.

Nisantasi was settled by Sultan Abdülmecid in the middle of the 19th century. He erected two obelisks to define the beginning point and the ending point of the quarter. He ordered the construction of the Neo-Classical style Tesvikiye Police Station and the Neo-Baroque style Tesvikiye Mosque for a proper district, encouraging the citizens of Istanbul to settle here (hence the name Tesvikiye which means Encouragement in Ottoman Turkish).

The word Nisantasi literally means Aiming Stone (target stone) in Turkish. Before the land had been granted for public use, it was an area where Ottoman soldiers used to shoot at target stones for improving their aiming skills. Some of these target stones, which are shaped like small obelisks and have Ottoman Turkish inscriptions on them, are still found on the pavements of Nisantasi as monuments from the past.

Following the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, many Turks from Thessaloniki (Selânik, which was an Ottoman metropolis until 1912) settled in the Nisantasi district of Istanbul; including the family of the famous Turkish poet Nazym Hikmet. Apart from the Turks, the district also had sizeable Greek, Jewish, Armenian and Levantine communities.

Nisantasi is famous for its many Art Nouveau apartment buildings and is home to several prominent figures of the Turkish jet-set, culture and art. Nobel laureate Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk is one of the local residents, and the quarter formed the background in several of his novels. It is a place where you can easily see famous people walking on the street any time during a day. In Nisantasi you can have a cup of coffee at Armani Café or shop at the nearby Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Escada, Kenzo, Max Mara or any other famous boutique within walking distance. Citys Nisantasi, opened in 2008, is a Saks Fifth Avenue style shopping mall which aims at the high-end consumer group and is mostly dedicated to the famous fashion brands. People living in Nisantasi are mostly wealthy and well-educated. Also, Nisantasi has the largest community of foreign residents in Istanbul after Taksim and Cihangir.

Especially on Saturday nights Nisantasi becomes crowded with people who come to the famous pubs and cafés of this district to spend some time. On Sundays the neighbourhood becomes less crowded and is mostly left to its residents.

Uskudar City in Istanbul

Üsküdar is one of the most beautiful and interesting districts of Istanbul. Üsküdar where are many different features and contrasts has the unique historical structures. The symbol of the Istanbul, Bosphorus Bridge is located in the interior lands of the district so Üsküdar should be visited, you will feel some pleasure absolutely.

District seems to have variety the neighbor to neighbor. This difference appears in every perspective. In some places sites have been established which have high standards of living, while some places have opposite situation. Üsküdar where is one of the oldest districts was conquered by Orhan Bey in period of Ottoman Empire. After conquest, Turkish population started to increase. The district has been an important transportation center from ancient times even the period of BC. Empires which were founded in Üsküdar during BC gave the importance to the district because of the harbor and transportation.

Üsküdar is one of the most important counties of historical city, Istanbul because there are so many values. Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is located the boundaries of Üsküdar, the tower is undoubtedly the most important value. Maiden’s Tower is the only building remaining from the Byzantine Era in Üküdar. Firstly the historical building was a cemetery, then Byzantine Era was used as customs station. By the time of the Ottoman Empire, the tower was used as exile rooms and an area for festivals. Today, the building draws the tourist’s attraction. Around the tower, different mosques have founded and they are the symbols of Istanbul.

We must mention the Üsküdar Çamlıca Hill, it is a natural value of Istanbul. Bosphorus Bridge is seen from the Çamlıca Hill beautiful, this view must affect you absolutely.

Ortaköy City in Istanbul

Ortakoy has had an important place in the daily life of the city during both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Turks, Jews, Greeks and Armenians still live there peacefully, side by side. In the 16th century, the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent encouraged the Turks to move to Ortaköy and live there, which marked the beginning of the Turkish presence in the neighbourhood. One of the oldest buildings in Ortaköy is the Turkish Bath built by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan in 1556.

 

The famous Ortaköy Mosque, located on the coastal pier square, was originally built in the 18th century. Later, in the 19th century, the current mosque, ordered by Sultan Abdülmecid and designed by architects (father and son) Garabet Amira Balyan and Nigogayos Balyan in Neo-Baroque style, was edificed between 1854 and 1856.

In 1871, Sultan Abdülaziz built the Çyra?an Palace in Ortaköy, where he lived for some time. Çyragan Palace was also used as the Ottoman Parliament building until it was severely damaged by a fire in 1910. The palace was repaired and restored in the 1980s and is known today as the Cyragan Palace Kempinski Hotel, one of the most luxurious hotels in Istanbul.

Ortakoy is one of the nicest neighborhoods of Besiktas districts in the European side of Istanbul on the Bosphorus Strait, right under the first Bosphorus bridge. In Turkish it means “middle village” because it was in the middle of the strait, and during the Ottoman period it was just a small fishing village and a resort for the Ottoman dignitaries because of its attractive location. After many years, the district is still a popular spot for local people and foreign visitors.

Ortakoy has many cafeterias and tea houses around a square near the water or in the alleys, moderate or expensive restaurants, bars, small shops and a market which gets very lively during the weekends. In the summer time there are even small size concerts or street shows etc. Many world class night clubs are also in this area, on the Bosphorus.

Ortakoy center lies within a triangle of a Muslim mosque, a Christian church, and a Jewish synagogue, witnessing the religious freedom and mosaic in Turkey as a secular state. Other interesting sites within Ortakoy district are: Ciragan Palace hotel which used to be a palace, Kabatas High School from late Ottoman period, Feriye restaurant which used be the hunting mansion of the sultans, Princess Hotel, Sortie night club and Reina night club. A small pier is connecting Ortakoy to other neighborhoods on the Asian side by passenger ferries.

Şişli City in Istanbul

Şişli is the very old county of Istanbul and based on a fundamental property. Şişli, has been a residential area since ancient times, contains many historical monuments.

It is suggested that the oldest district, Tatavla, was established in the first quarter of the 16thcentury. The settlement in Şişli was too little until the beginning of the 19th century. Population was very rare in here and most places were isolated. The most important reason of the situation is that there were full of fields. After the 19th century, Maçka and Pangaltı had started to be residential areas. In 1870, a major fire emerged and it took place in history as the largest fire, Beyoğlu, so buildings and residential areas were damaged very much, therefore, large part of people were homeless. After the negative situation, the buildings were constructed around Harbiye and given to these homeless people. Osman Bey , the founder of Matbaa-I Osmaniye( printing), had bought a wide soil between Harbiye and Şişli and made a mansion built. After the first step, mansions began to be built especially in Harbiye, Teşvikiye and Nişantaşı in the last quarter of the 19th century and population began to increase.

The Pediatric Hospital is one of the major medical centers of Istanbul not only the county and was established in 1890s. The boundaries of the county are quite extensive as the boundaries of many counties. There are many positive results of the wide boundaries, one of which is opportunity of culture and art activities. There can be found the ruins of Ottoman. In addition, there are some old type buildings and they have already been beautiful.

The region is a point of the conjunction the old and new life styles. It won’t be wrong to say that Şişli is the most developed county of Istanbul because Şişli has been improving in all aspects and keeping pace for changing years.