Macka Demokrasi Parki (Macka Democracy Park): A Decent Park In the City

Macka Demokrasi Parki is one of the best parks in Istanbul. It is a very extensive park between Harbiye, Nisantasi, Macka, and Dolmabahce. You can walk, can run, can exercise, can come with your child, can choose a restaurant and sip a cup of coffee, and can sit and read your book. You can also take beautiful photos, no matter what time of the day and what season of the year. The flora of the park is also very rich.



There is a short telfer line between Macka and Taskısla. If you enter the park from the Taskisla gate, you'll see the entrance to the telfer. The park has a couple of other gates at Macka and Nisantasi. From Nisantasi gate, you can cross the road and enter Nisantasi Sanatcilar Parkı, where there are always lots of cats and sometimes art events.



The other buildings that are close to the park are: Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel, Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall, Lutfi Kirdar Congress Centre, Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre, ITU Macka Kampus (formerly, Macka Armory). The Macka gate of the park is next to one of the most popular concert arenas of Istanbul, Kucukciftlik Park.

History

The first knowledge of the park dates back to 19th century. It is said that the park was a valley with a stream, with lots of trees and huts. People used to ride horses, picnic on the ground, and made boat tours on the stream and drink water from it. After 1970's, the park was neglected, became a home for homeless, so the people got cold feet of the park. In 1990's, the stream was unfortunately a sewage. However, it didn't stop lovers meet at the park secretly. After 1993, it was renovated.

Macka-Taskisla Telfer

This is a rather short telfer line. It eases the lives of Istanbulites. It especially connects the two campuses of Istanbul Technical University. It passes over the park. The cabins have 24 person capacity. If you want to try it, wait only for five minutes and buy one ticket for approximately 1 Euro or 1 Dolar.

Where is Macka Park?

Maçka park is on a slope, so be ready to walk upwards or downwards. There is a bus stop near Inonu Stadium. (There are many bus lines from Besiktas to Taksim that passes from there.) You can walk a little from the stop to the Macka gate, then walk upwards in the park and get out to Nisantasi Sanatcilar Parki. I suggest you to take your time and walk either from Taksim or from Nisantasi, and rest at the park.

5-10 August 2015: Time to See the Sculptures of Xu Hongfei

The sculptures of Xu Hongfei is at Istanbul as a part of his world tour. The sculptures are will be on display until 10 August. Don't miss them, if you are going to pass by Cevahir Mall, Nisantasi Sanatcilar Parki, or Abide-i Hurriyet Square.

Who is Xu Hongfei?

Belgrad Forest: The Green Lungs of Istanbul

Belgrad Forest is one of breathing areas of Istanbulites. It is close to Bahcekoy and Ataturk Arboretum. Its natural confines are the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. At Byzantium and Ottoman times, it was the most important spring for drinking water. Today, its water isn't enough for Istanbul, so it is mainly referred as a recreational area.

There is a road for the ones who want to go to the picnic area with car, but I'd recommend walking. One way average speed walk and stopping by the sights around takes about one hour. And one hour back. The only difficulty of walking is walking with the cars passing by.

The Barrage of Sultan Mahmud

Before the long walk, you have a short walk that takes you to a small stream (there are three streams in the forest: Ayvat, Topuz and Neset), picnic tables, and the barrage of Sultan Mahmud. There are six historical barrages in and around Belgrad forest: Komurcu Barrage (1620), Big Barrage (1724), Ayvat Barrage (1765), Valide Barrage (1796), Kirazli Barrage (1818), and the Barrage of Sultan Mahmud (1839). Kirazli Barrage is now within the confines of Ataturk Arboretum.

This barrage is made at the reign of Sultan Mahmud II. It is a little bit away from Valide Barrage. It is also called the New Barrage. The area was bare before Sultan Mahmud, but he wanted that area be afforested. Today, the trees around the road that goes to the barrage are almost two centuries old.


There is a historical gate at the bottom and an Ottoman emblem on the top. There is a walk way above, but it is forbidden to pass behind the bars, due to safety concerns.

Picnic area

After you walk about an hour, you'll reach the picnic area, which is the part that I dislike about Belgrad Forest. Especially on week ends, there are so many people that sweeps all the joy of the long walk. Noises, odors, and no empty seats. I had shared the melancholia of the lovely horse below.

How to get to Belgrad Forest?

Belgrad Forest isn't very central, but it isn't hard to get there. You can either get on 42T bus from Taksim or 42HM from Haciosman Metro. Actually, 42T goes from coastal road which usually has a heavy traffic jam, so I find coming the long way with metro and then going on with the bus more logical.

Ataturk Arboretum: A Museum of Trees in the heart of Istanbul

Ataturk Arboretum, which is very close to Belgrad Forest, is a nice choice to spend time in greens, when you are in Istanbul. Arboretum means tree park or tree museum. Ataturk Arboretum covers a 345 hectare area. It is not so big, compared to Belgrad Forest, but it is bigger than Karaca Arboretum at Yalova.


The best thing to do at Ataturk Arboretum is to walk and enjoy the environment. There are lots of threes, some lakes, many animals and different flowers around. Among the animals you'll see, there are tortoises, gooses and birds. There are also bubous plant collection, different types of mushrooms and many more. You can walk along the pointed paths, but there are warnings that tells you to stop not to get lost.


You can also see Kirazli Barrage, and the plantation which was built by Neset Hodja in 1916 inside the arboretum. The entrance fee is 2 TL for students and 4 TL for adults at week days, and 5 TL for students and 10 TL for adults at week ends. There is a restaurant-cafe inside, but it may be pricy. When the weather is fine, you'll most likely see newly weds and wedding photographers.

How to get to Ataturk Arboretum?

The best way to get to Ataturk Arboretum is to go to Haciosman, which is the last stop of Yenikapi-Haciosman metro line. You'll have to walk a little, but it won't tire you much. You can get on 42T (Bahcekoy-Taksim) bus; however, the traffic jam on the coastal road is usually bad. You'll have to walk again anyway.

Ataturk Arboratum is the place where I learned goose have teeth.