Featured

Tuesday 23 December 2014

Traditional Turkish Drinks and Where to Drink Them in Istanbul

Turkey has a wide range of traditional drinks and they taste really good. Some of them you can drink any time in the day and some of them are better at special occasions. Here are the most famous traditional drink and some tips about the best places to try them.

1. Turk Kahvesi - Turkish Coffee


This is one of the most famous drinks in Turkey and it is world wide known hard coffee. It is traditionally served with a little coffee cup and a little glass of water. On the plate of the cup is placed a piece of lokum (Turkish delight). Less traditional places may place a piece of chocolate or cookie. The reason for the dessert is that the coffee may be bitter and it serves as sugar. But you don't only have "no sugar" choice; you may order "middle sugary" or "very sugary". The coffee is cooked in a cezve, a coffee pot (traditionally in a copper one, but that is not always the case), or on hot ash. The best coffee should have a thick layer of foam on it.

You can drink delicious Turkish coffee around Misir Carsisi (Egyptian Bazaar) and Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar). You can also buy fresh coffee from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi and make your coffee yourself. Bebek Kahvesi at Bebek is also very famous and has a beautiful sea view.



2. Cay - Tea


When you say tea in Turkish, you will be served boiled black tea with the colour red. The tea glass is described as "slim-waisted" (it was recently and interestingly chosen as the best whiskey glass by a website) and the tea colour is described as "rabbit's blood" (it sounds fierce, but the best tea is must be such vivid red). Tea lovers are divided in two: The ones who claim that real tea must be sugar free and the others who think it doesn't matter. Try both ways to decide.

There are many places to drink delicious tea, but the little tea houses are generally the best. There are many at the coasts. Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi houses a cosy one. One of the most famous and crowded tea houses in Istanbul belongs to "Mustafa amca" at Hazzopulo Pasaji. That passage hosts many tea houses and all of them are crowded at any time of the day and the week.



3. Ayran


Ayran is my favourite soft drink along with lemonade. It is made by adding adequate quantity of water and mixing both with a little salt. (I tried ayran two times at Varna, Bulgaria. I guess it was made from buttermilk and tasted sweeter.) Some restaurants ask you if you like "open ayran" or "closed ayran". If you can't trust the hygene of the place, prefer "closed ayran" which is packaged. However, there are some restaurants that you shouldn't miss "open ayran".  "Open ayran" is mixed at the restaurant and is served with an extra added "kopuk (foam)".

You can find closed ayrans at any market, but open ayran should be tried at particular places. What comes to my mind is Buket Lahmacun & Kebap at Mecidiyekoy. (Its "lahmacun"s are a different story). Open ayran is usually served in glasses, but this one serves it with copper bowl and you drink it with a small ladle.



4. Boza


Boza is an interesting drink. It is so thick that it may be eaten with a spoon. Not everyone likes the taste, but the ones who love it, love it till the end. It is made from corn semolina, water and sugar. It is usually referred as a winter drink, but if you came to Istanbul at another season, you can surely try it. Beware that boza gets spoiled in 6 or 7 days, so drink it fresh. There are also bottled bozas, but I don't think they taste as good.

Until quite recently, especially at winter nights, boza seller would wander at the streets and would call out: "Booozaaaa!". There are still boza sellers, but they are much less in number. The most famous place to drink boza in Istanbul is Vefa Bozacisi. It is almost the one and the only name about boza. Vefa Bozacisi was opened in 1876 and as you would guess, it is a witness of important historical events that took place in Istanbul. It is at the beginning of Unkapani Manifaturacilar Carsisi and at the corner of Vefa Lisesi. There you can also try "şıra" which will be explained below.

5. Şıra


Şıra is unfermented grape or sometimes apple, and it almost tastes like non-alcoholic wine. It contains a high quantity of fructose, so it is rather sweet. It is dark red in colour. It is usually served with Iskender kebap and other kinds of kebabs.

You can find şıra at restaurants and they also found bottled at markets.

6. Salgam Suyu - Turnip Juice


Turnip juice is a specialty of Cukurova Region, but it can be found all around Turkey. It is red, cloudy and sour. It may be bitter or not. Bitter taste is usually given with a special pickle juice. Turnip juice is generally served with black carrot and drank with kebab, as well as raki and appetizers.

It is found at traditional restaurants. You can also buy it bottled from markets.

7. Salep


Here comes the drink of drinks of wintertime. Salep is a very delicious hot drink. It is made from the tuberous root of the orchide. The powder is mixed with milk and sugar. Proportions and freshness is vitally important for the best taste. It is served in a cup with some cinemmon sprinkled on it.

I think the best salep is the one you buy from the herbalist and do at home. The salep of the restaurant chains Kahve Dunyasi, Mado, Sutis and Saray Muhallebicisi are all right. However, I won't suggest you the moderate prices this time. For salep is an expensive drink, you should pay more to drink a real one.

8. Raki


Raki is the traditional alcoholic drink. It is served with its bottle, a bottle of water, two glasses for each person and a little bucket of ice that you put with tongs. You or your friends at the table serve raki. Most people don't feel more than the half of the glass, because it is a very hard drink. You fill the rest of the glass with water and the other glass with water (if you like, turnip juice can be served instead of water). The drink looks milky. After all, it's nickname is "lion's milk".

Apart from other drinks, raki has a special culture. There are many unwritten rules and written books about it. From the way you hold the glass to the topics you talk at the table, everything is included in this culture. But don't worry and enjoy your drink. Nobody will criticise you for trying raki.

Qualified raki brands are available at markets and meyhanes (Turkish traditional pubs). Mezes (appetizers) have a great importance. They may include mashed aubergines, mashed chickpeas, spiced yoghurt, and so on. The more you try, the more you'll discover unique tastes. Most meyhanes at Taksim, Kumkapi and Kadikoy are good at raki tables. But try to check the menu and prices first.

9. Sarap - Wine


For red wine, there are three kinds of grapes that come to mind first: Okuzgozu from East Anatolia, Bogazkere from Southeast Anatolia, and Kalecik Karasi from Ankara. There are also local white wines.

10. Bira - Beer


There are not many local beer brands in Turkey, compared to Europe. But the famous brands are available at markets, package stores and pubs.

Thursday 18 December 2014

Best 3D Cinemas in Istanbul

3D movies began with Avatar and it became an exciting branch of cinema. This week the last part of legendary Hobbit trilogy, Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, has come out. All the fans are so excited. In case you are in Istanbul, you are lucky. There are many movie houses in Istanbul.



3D movie houses have different formats, such as IMAX and XPAND. IMAX is available only at Istinye Park and Marmara Park. Here is the list of them:

European Coast:



  • Beyoglu Atlas
  • Beyoglu Cinemaximum (Fitas)
  • Nisantasi CityLife (City's AVM)
  • Osmanbey Gazi
  • Mecidiyekoy Maximum (Cevahir)
  • Sisli Cinemaximum (Trump Towers)
  • Mecidiyekoy Profilo AVM
  • Zincirlikuyu Cinemaximum Zorlu Center
  • Levent Cinemaximum (Kanyon)
  • Levent Saphire Cinema Pink
  • Levent Ozdilek Cinetime
  • Etiler Akmerkez Cinema Pink
  • Istinye Cinemaximum (Istinye Park) IMAX
  • Deniz Private Cinecity Etiler
  • Fatih Cinemaximum (Historia)
  • Bakirkoy Cinemaximum (Marmara Forum)
  • Bakirkoy Cinemaximum (Capacity)
  • Bakirkoy Carousel Cinema Pink
  • Atakoy Cinemaximum (Atakoy Plus)
  • Florya Cinemaximum Aqua
  • Florya Cinefly Flyinn
  • Bayrampasa Cinemaximum (Forum Istanbul)
  • Eyup Cinemaximum (Vialand)
  • Gungoren Cinemaximum (Kale)
  • Bagcilar Site
  • Bagcilar 212 AVM Cinemarine
  • Esenler Espri Site
  • Bahcelievler Metroport Cine Vip
  • Maslak TIM
  • Yesilkoy Airport Cinemas
  • Deniz Private Cinecity Trio Atasehir
  • Yenibosna Starcity Site
  • Atasehir Novada Avsar
  • Sefakoy Sinemay Armoni Park
  • Esenyurt Cinemaximum Akbati
  • Beylikduzu Cinemaximum Marmara Park IMAX


Anatolian (Asian) Coast:



  • Altunizade Capitol Spectrum
  • Kadikoy Cinemaximum (Nautilus)
  • Kadikoy Rexx
  • Acibadem Cinemaximum (Akasya)
  • Göztepe Avsar Optimum
  • Caddebostan Cinemaximum (Budak)
  • Kozyatagi Avsar Kozzy
  • Umraniye Cinemaximum (Meydan)

Transportation in Istanbul

Transportation in Istanbul is rather developed. You can reach almost everywhere with public or private transport. We have tickets and tokens but we prefer "Akbil". Akbil is a practical and electronic ticketing system which is cheaper than the individual tickets and helps you to save time.

Istanbul always have a traffic jam, but it is important to avoid working hours, 7 to 9 in the morning and 6-8 in the evening. At those times both the traffic jam is heavy and everywhere is too crowded. Here are the public transport means you can use:

1. Metro


Metro is one of the most comfortable vehicles in Istanbul. The only downside is that sometimes it is so deep underground that you have to walk much. They are frequent, you won't wait long.

Metro lines available in Istanbul:
- Yenikapi-Ataturk Havalimani
- Yenikapi-Kirazli
- Yenikapi-Haciosman (among it stops are Taksim, Osmanbey, Mecidiyekoy and Levent)
- Kirazli-Olimpiyat-Metrokent
- Kadikoy-Kartal

With the new Yenikapi line, it is possible for us to go from Taksim to Ataturk International Airport with transfers.

Marmaray is the newest "phenomenon" in Istanbul, but it is actually a metro, too. It goes under the Marmara Sea (but you don't see any scenes). Its stops are Ayrilik Cesmesi (near Kadikoy), Uskudar, Sirkeci, Yenikapi, Kazlicesme.

2. Metrobus


Here comes the most exciting!? transport in Istanbul. It is an adventure, if you want to sit. Be ready to actualize the "Survival of the fittest" principle. Joking aside, it is convenient (apart from working hours, of course.)

Metrobus lines in Istanbul:
- 34 Avcilar-Zincirlikuyu
- 34A Sogutlucesme-Cevizlibag
- 34C Beylikduzu-Cevizlibag
- 34G Beylikduzu-Sogutlucesme
- 34Z Zincirlikuyu-Sogutlucesme
- 34U Uzuncayir-Zincirlikuyu
- 34AS Avcilar-Sogutlucesme
- 34BZ Beylikduzu-Zincirlikuyu


A view from Mecidiyekoy. You can see the metrobus stop in the middle, then the bus stop. At the right of the road, the stairs going down takes you to the metro. The green area ahead is the sum of Armenian Catholic Graveyard and Italian Jewish Graveyard.

3. Tram



Tram is also quite convenient. But again, beware of the working hours. Then, beside from being crowded, it may stuck a little bit in the traffic jam.

Tram lines in Istanbul:
- Bagcilar-Kabatas (among its stops are Sultanahmet, Gulhane, Beyazit, Laleli and Aksaray)
- Taksim-Tünel Nostalgic Tram
- Kadikoy-Moda (also nostalgic)
- Topkapi-Habibler

4. Bus


Buses are very colourful in Istanbul, but their colours don't mean anything. Just look at the numbers. There are many local buses (too many to write here down). You can find the stops and schedules here: http://www.iett.gov.tr/en

Esenler Bus Terminal (Esenler Otogari) is the biggest bus terminal in Istanbul. Here, there are buses going to every province in Turkey. If you are going to get on transfer vehicles from Taksim, they usually take you to the closer Alibeykoy Bus Terminal, which was renewed recently and looks better than Esenler Bus Terminal. At Anatolian coast, you can go to Harem Bus Terminal and Salipazari Bus Terminal.

5. Minibus


Here is one of the most trickiest vehicles. Minibuses in Istanbul are almost equal to rollercoasters. No akbils and don't try to make jokes about it. Minibuses are usually blue. They take you to shorter distances and to smaller neighbourhoods. No akbils in minibuses and don't ever ask the drivers about it. Minibuses are blue in colour.

6. Dolmus


Dolmus is a yellow vehicle, bigger than taxis and can have 6-7 passengers. Dolmus lines accept no akbils, only cash. It is a comfortable vehicle, but it is more expensive than buses and others (still cheaper than taxis).

Dolmus lines in Istanbul:
- Kadikoy-Taksim
- Kadikoy-Nisantasi
- Kadikoy-Sisli
- Kadikoy-Bostanci
- Bostanci-Sisli
- Bostanci-Taksim (two types of this, one goes from "minibus" street, the other from the coastline)
- Bostanci-Pendik
- Sogutlucesme-Bostanci
- Uskudar-Kadikoy
- Uskudar-Baglarbasi
- Baglarbasi-Kadikoy
- Uskudar-Beykoz
- Uskudar-Baglarbasi-Erzurum Sitesi
- Uskudar-Cekmekoy
- Uskudar-Acıbadem
- Kadikoy-Cekmekoy
- Kadikoy-Beykoz
- Aksaray-Taksim
- Kocamustafa-Taksim
- Bakirkoy-Taksim
- Bakirkoy-Sisli
- Yenibosna-Taksim
- Besiktas-Harbiye
- Cevizlibag-Topkapı
- Cevizlibag-Taksim
- Topkapi-Taksim (Have in mind that this "Topkapi has nothing to do with "Topkapi Palace)
- Eminonu-Sisli
- Eminonu-Taksim
- Tesvikiye-Taksim
- Yesilkoy-Taksim

You can find the lines and fares here: http://www.saridolmus.com/tarifeler



7. Train


There is no inner city train lines nowadays. The railways are being rebuilt for the high speed train. Some speed trains started to operate, but their destinations are out of Istanbul. There used to be a Haydarpasa-Gebze line.

8. Funicular


Funicular lines are used as connections and they don't take more than 3-4 minutes. Taksim Tunel funicular line is the world's second oldest underground public transport. It is nice to be there at least once. Kabatas line begins 10 m below the sea, you'll see the signs about it.

Funicular lines in Istanbul:
- Taksim-Kabatas
- Karakoy-Beyoglu (Tunel)

9. Telpher


Telpher lines are also short, but they are rather scenic. They are touristic, but fare are the same as the public transport.

Tephers in Istanbul:
- Macka-Taskisla
- Eyup-Piyer Loti

10. Taxi


Taxis are one of the most expensive vehicles of transport. No akbils of course. We all need taxis at some time. Most taxi drivers do their job decently, but as a tourist, don't forget to take a look at the taximeter. Some taxi driver don't want to take you in for short distances. There is a complaint line for those problems. There is also a mobile app that helps you to call a taxi. By the way, in Istanbul taxis are yellow.

11. Steamship (Vapur)


No traffic, no cry. If you are not seasick (like me) this is the heavenly vehicle that offers you beautiful scenes, gives you the chance to meet seagulls and does those without entering traffic jams.

Steamship lines in Istanbul:
- Kadikoy-Eminonu
- Karakoy-Kadikoy
- Karakoy-Haydarpasa
- Uskudar-Eminonu
- Uskudar-Besiktas
- Kadikoy-Kabatas
- Halic Line
- From Bosphorus-To Bosphorus
- Sariyer-Anadolu Kavagi
- Kucuksu-Besiktas
- Cengelkoy-Istinye
- Kadikoy-Sariyer
- Kucuksu-Istinye
- Kabatas-Kadikoy-Adalar-Bostanci
- Bostancı-Adalar

There are also short and long Bosphorus tours. Don't confuse them with the touristic tours that begin from Eminonu. Touristic tours accept cash and they are more expensive than cityline steamboats.



12. Motorboat


Motorboats are faster and also more courageous than steamboats. Courageous, because they are the last thing to be cancelled in case of fog and other extreme weather conditions. Quick tip: If the weather is fine, sit upstairs and feel the air.

Motorboat lines in Istanbul:
- Eminonu-Kadikoy
- Karakoy-Kadikoy
- Karakoy-Uskudar
- Bostanci-Adalar (It may take you to particular islands, so check if your island is included)
- Kartal-Adalar (Prince Islands)
- Yesilkoy-Adalar
- Cinarcik-Kadikoy-Eminonu
- Eminonu-Cinarcik
- Eminonu-Esenkoy
- Eminonu-Kocadere
- Esenkoy-Kadikoy-Eminonu
- Kadikoy-Cınarcik
- Kadikoy-Esenkoy
- Kadikoy-Kocadere
- Eminonu-Armutlu
- Kadıkoy Armutlu



13. Ferry


Ferries are frequently used in Istanbul, especially by the car owners.

Ferry lines in Istanbul:
- Eskihisar-Topcular
- Sirkeci-Harem

Speed ferry lines:
- Yenikapi-Bursa
- Yenikapi-Bandirma
- Yenikapi-Yalova
- Pendik-Yalova

14. Seabus


Seabus is a little more expensive than steamships and motorboats, but it is definitely much more faster. If your focus is time, then this is your vehicle on sea.

Seabus lines in Istanbul:
- Bostanci-Kadikoy-Yenikapi-Bakirkoy
- Bostanci-Kabatas
- Adalar
- Bosphorus
- Maltepe-Bostanci-Kabatas-Bakirkoy
- Bostanci-Kadikoy-Yenikapi-Bakirkoy-Avcilar
- Kadikoy-Yenikapi-Armutlu-Bursa
- Kadikoy-Yenikapi-Bursa
- Bostanci-Yenikapi-Marmara-Avsa
- Kartal-Yalova

15. Sea Taxi


It's expensive for backpackers and students. If you have money and have really really no time, it may be very helpful. One of its advantages is that it can go anywhere on the coast, even to small piers. No akbils.

16. Seabird


It's kind of a fantasy transport (actually charters) and it needs reservation. If you have enough time and if you are a backpacker or student, you can find cheaper alternatives for the destinations it will take you.

17. Airplane


Istanbul has two big airports: Ataturk International Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Ataturk International Airport is one of busiest airports in Europe. Sometime it takes several minutes to find an available spot and land. Sabiha Gokcen Airport is relatively smaller, but it is also cheaper in terms of food and drink.

There is also a private airport, Hezarfen Airfield. It hosts big music events and youth festivals.

As mentioned above the metro goes to Ataturk International Airport with a couple transfers. There are public buses to Sabiha Gokcen Airport from Kadikoy. But if you like, there are inexpensive Havatas buses that takes you to both airports. Their terminal is at Elmadag, in front of Point Hotel.



18. Coach


Motor vehicles are forbidden at Prince Islands, so the vehicle at Buyukada, Heybeliada and Burgazada is the couch. However, because of the ruthless treatments to the horses, I recommend you not to use them. I always walk or rent a bike instead. There is no motor vehicle, after all!



You can also travel by rental car, by your car, by motorbike, by bike and on foot. But you should be extra careful when you are travelling by bike or on foot. Unfortunaly, majority of Istanbul drivers have nothing to do with traffic rules and most of them don't count bikes, even motorbikes, as transportation means.

Life is also hard for pedestrians. Crosswalks are usually ornaments, so don't trust them. Don't even trust the traffic lights, because the vehicles, especially taxis think it is possible to avoid them in order not to stop for a few more seconds.

Thursday 11 December 2014

Talimhane Hotels: The Address to Superfine Holidays

Talimhane is actually a neighbourhood of Beyoglu. It is very close to Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Talimhane was once an exercise place for the army. Today it serves an entirely different purpose. It hosts many superfine hotels. You can also find fine restaurants around.

The list of hotels at the entrance near Gezi Park.

There are many hotels at Talimhane. Not all of them may be suitable for backpackers and students, but you can check them out for they are so central. There are boutique hotels, 4 star hotels, 5 star hotels and luxurious hotels. When you walk straight from this entrance to the end of the road, you'll reach Tarlabasi. Some Tarlabasi hotels are also counted as Talimhane hotels, because Talimhane doesn't have strict borders and it is okay that way.

Only pedestrians!

Talimhane is closed to traffic. So it is fun to walk around. You can go there by any means that takes you to Taksim Square. It is only one or two minutes walk from the square. By the way, you see the "P" of the Point Hotel at the right of the picture. And the right of it, there are Havatas buses that takes you to either Ataturk International Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (with a fair price).

Thursday 4 December 2014

General Tips About Istanbul

There are many tips about Istanbul. Here some of them I remembered at first thought.

Is Istanbul Tap Water Drinkable?


Here's one of the first things I search for before I go to a city. As for Istanbul, don't drink tap water. Use it just for cleaning. You can buy table water from markets at very reasonable prices.



Is the Traffic Jam Really Bad in Istanbul?


Traffic is one of the first things that requires to keep your eyes open. Unfortunately in Istanbul, everyone is in a hurry, especially the drivers. Unlike other cities in Europe, etc. pedestrians don't have priority at traffic, although they should. The tip here is that: Look both at traffic lights and the cars. Wait for all the cars to stop. And don't trust the pedestrian crossing, because most drivers are unaware the meaning of it. Try not to argue drivers about this, because some of them may be unexpectedly aggressive.

Should I Bargain Whenever I Buy Something?


Bargain with the seller when you like to buy something, especially a traditional carpet, etc. They may take the prices a little high, so there is almost always a chance for a discount.

Are There Some Tricks I Shouldn't Fall For?


Don't believe in shoeshine boys when they drop their brush and offer to shine your shoes. Try to say no, if you don't want to pay high prices. After they shine your shoes, you don't have much chance to refuse to pay money.

Is Istanbul Safe?


Istanbul and especially central places, don't pose danger to women or men. But people aren't the same and you can come across strange people at any part of the world. If you feel like you're being followed, try to find a crowded place or walk in a market and stores like that. If the person is too close, you may try to turn back suddently and start to scream. These people are usually very coward and the dwellers are usually helpful.

I don't mean to scare you and I've never been in such situation, but carry a couple of cigarettes and 1 liras with you in case a thinner addict asks you. They don't mean to do harm, they may be furious about being rejected. So be prapered. As I said, it is rare but being cautious won't hurt you.

Monday 1 December 2014

Gezi Park: The Rebellious Park of Istanbul

Gezi Park would probably be just another park in a city, if it hadn't hosted the greatest "social" demonstration in the history of Turkey. "It all started with a tree", you would hear. But when the police used disproportionate force against peaceful protesters who wanted to protect Gezi Park from becoming barracks, things went crazy. For a couple of months, flying gas canisters were a usual scene from Taksim to Galata and to Harbiye, and also at Kadikoy. It is worth to remind that despite fierce political sayings, the park is still there, safe and sound, and I'm glad to tell you about it.



The History of Gezi Park


When you see Gezi Park, you may find it small in comparision with other parks at other big cities in the world. But the park's newly assigned historical significance makes it larger than life. However, it doesn't mean the only historical memory of the park.

Let's start with earlier records. The area including Gezi Park, Divan Hotel (the hotel next to the park that let the protestors in when the violence was at its peak), Hyatt Regency Hotel, and some parts of Istanbul Radyoevi (broadcasting house) and Harbiye Orduevi (military museum and cultural center of command) was Pancaldi Armenian Graveyard, or Surp Agop Graveyard. (Surp Agop Apartment still exists, but the hospital was demolished last year and the apartment serves as a polyclinic. The graveyard being at the opposite of the hospital was plausible indeed.) The land was given to Armenians in about 1560, when there was a plague. From then on, it was used as a graveyard.

At that time, Pancaldi, Harbiye and Elmadag was considered as being outside the city. The "core" Istanbul was approximately the part where today Eminonu, Karakoy, Galata and Pera (the far end of Istiklal Street). So, the dead was allowed to be buried only outside Istanbul. In 1853, it was confined with walls. In 1856, the name plate was put. In 1865, with the cholera epidemic, burial processes were banned due to its "proximity" to the city. (Things change.)

In 1872, the municipality comandeer the area but Sultan Abdulaziz enacted an addict announcing it belonged to Armenians. In 1926, the burial processes were entirely banned and it was decided that the graveyard was to be transferred to some other place. In 1931, Istanbul Municipality that the land should be assigned to it. The case was closed in 1934 and the large part was given to the municipality. In 1938, it was announced that the graveyard would be demolished and fifteen days were given to transfer the graves, if interested.

The yellow building is Divan Hotel.

In 1939, the graveyard was totally demolished, along with Khor Virap Church. The gravestones were used for the stairs of Yeni Cami (New Mosque) in Eminonu, and for the stairs of Gezi Park, which was being built at that time.

Let's move to another historical part. In 1806, Halil Pasa Topcu Kislasi (Halil Pasha Artillery Barracks) was built at today's Gezi Park. At 31 March Incident, it became the headquarters of rebels who were -in brief- in favour of sharia, and against more liberal policies of Ittihak Terakki Cemiyeti, Party of Union and Progress. (Maybe, things never change.) The rebellion was suppressed by the army.

As Beyoglu (the district which also comprises Taksim, in case you're confused) developed towards Sisli, the barracks lost its function and it became a stadium in 1922. Henry Proust, the controversial city planner, offered authorities a plan that involved Nisantasi, Harbiye, Dolmabahce and Gezi Park. In 1940, after the stadium was demolished, Gezi Park became the first park of the Republic (of which steps were carried from the demolished graveyard).

Well, it isn't a coincidence for Gezi Park to host such heated protests.

Those were the days, my friend.


Where is Gezi Park?


Gezi Park is stuated close to Taksim Square, which is unfortunately a big gray gap nowadays. If you put Taksim on your front, the left road will take you to Macka and ultimately to Besiktas or Kabatas. The right road will take you to Elmadag and Harbiye with a ten minute walk, or Nisantasi with a fifteen minute walk. If you like, you can take the metro from Taksim and go to Osmanbey (adjecent to Nisantasi), Sisli, Mecidiyekoy and further stations.

The bus stations were carried under ground to save Taksim from traffic (and probably with frustration due to the cancellation of "new Taksim" plan). It's a little tricky right now. If you want to get on the buses which passes from Besiktas (and to the coastline, that is Ortakoy, Arnavutkoy, Tarabya, Sariyer, etc., or the Anatolian coast, that is Kadikoy, Bostanci, etc.), you should walk left from the Gezi Park for a while to reach the bus station next to Ataturk Library. If you like to get on a bus which passes from Sishane (to Karakoy, Eminonu, Aksaray, Beyazit, Laleli, Bayrampasa Main Bus Station, Ataturk International Airport, etc.), you should walk down to the station which has an entrance facing Gezi Park. It seems complicated at the first time. It really is. Once I gave up to meet my friend at Kadikoy.

As I mentioned above, Gezi Park is relatively small. You can walk around in ten minutes at best. However, if you sit on a bench or cobblestones, it will take hours to contemplate on its history.


Copyright © 2015 Istanbul Friendly