Sarıyer City in Istanbul

Sarıyer is one of the counties of Istanbul in coastline located in the European side. The county affects the visitors with its tremendous history and views. A number of historical buildings have remained from the Byzantine period and have managed to save its natural beauties until today. The majority of the structures are churches, old castles, ports and cisterns. At these times, economic development of the county was provided from inhabitants who dealt with fishing and the county was known as a fishing village.

After the conquest of the Turks, Turks settled in the inner part of the county known as Baltalimanı. There was a river which had a feature being an old estuary and the estuary was playing an active role for fishermen and boats. The large cistern in Baltalimanı was estimated to be built for the needs of waters of the ships moored on the shore. It is suggested that the name of the region comes from Baltaoğlu Süleyman Bey who was the High Admiral in Ottoman Army.

After the conquest of Istanbul, districts, which are located in the Sarıyer and called as small villages, began to develop. Around the Rumeli Fortress became to develop in this period. The residences of the palace began to be seen on the shores of fortress together with the development of districts. Non- Muslims were allowed to settle these districts with special permission during this period.

Sarıyer is a different county with its natural appearance and the historical patterns. Especially the developed water facilities are important because all water facilities of the county were used for the needs of water of Istanbul. Belgrade Forest, Istanbul’s most important natural area, is located within the boundaries of the county and the forest is playing a role of being the lungs of Istanbul and it is open to the public also some regions are separated for picnic. Generally at the weekend lots of visitors come the forest, beside these, Belgrade Forest has undertaken the task of being a live laboratory for universities.

Previously, Sarıyer had a clean beaches but coasts lost clean beaches because of the industrialization. If you want to breathe the atmosphere of the Ottoman and the Byzantine history, you should visit the county definitely.