Buyukada: The Biggest of Prince Islands.

Sights at Buyukada

Almost everything is worth to see at Buyukada. The street decorated with trees and flowers, lovely cats and birds, cosy restaurtants, tasteful dishes, comfortable hotels, the sunset and the sunrise... The oldest findings concerning the island are the coins of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. The 207 coin collection can now be seen at Istanbul Archaelogical Museum. The population of the island began to change after 1930's, many non-Muslims have moved, but their pozitive influences can still be traced.

Buyukada Port: It was built in 1914 by the architect Mihran Azaryan. The tiles were made by Kutahyali Mehmet Emin Efendi. The building as the representative of Neo-Classic era was restorated in 1999-2001.

Agia Yorgi Church and Monastery: This requires a hard walk up to the hill, so I offer you to choose a temperate weathers, leave your baggages to your hotel and take a couple of bottle water with you. The first building here dates back to 6th century. There are remains of many churches and monasteries, but todays most of them are gone. The new church dates was built in 1905 and put into service in 1909. There is also a cafe near the church.

Hamidiye Mosque: It was built by the order of Abdulhamit II and was opened to worship in 1895. It is actually an elegant mosque. It has a single minaret and twin stairs. It was originally planned to be a school, but after a change of plans, was decided to be used as a small mosque.

The other religious buildings at Buyukada are Panayia Church, Ayios Demetrios Church, Hased Le Avraam Synagogue, Ayios Nikalaos Monastary, Surp Astvazazin Verapohum Armenian Church and Hristos Monastary.

The Greek Orphanage: This was originally built by a French company as a hotel in 1898-1899. But the hotel cannot operate and a Greek woman buys it. Then, the Greek orphanage at Yedikule is transferred here. (Later, it was transferred to Heybeliada, but it was closed in 1960's.) The building is claimed to be biggest wooden house in the world. Unfortunately it is idle and decaying now.

The house of Lev Trotsky: This house is at Nizam Neigbourhood. Trotsky had lived here between 1929-1933, after he was exiled by Stalin.

The house Resat Nuri Guntekin: This house is at Maden Neighbourhood. Resat Nuri Guntekin is one of the most famous Turkish writers, so the house is one of most visited parts of the island.

The beaches: Yorukali Beach is the only sand beach at Buyukada. The other beaches are cobblestoned and maybe deep. These beaches are Eskibag Beach, Halik Koyu Beach, Prenses Koyu Beach, Naki Bey Beach, Aya Nikola Beach.

Where to stay at Buyukada

Buyukada has a wide variety of hotels and apartments. I stayed at three different hotels and I found all very cosy. But my personal favourite is the one at the top of the island, a restorated mansion with a nice view and a rich breakfast (Club Mavi Ada). You can try any hotel near the port or on side streets.

How to get to Buyukada

It is very easy to get to Buyukada and there is frequent transportation that is only cancelled at times of heavy storms. You can prefer steam boats, motor boats and seabusses of different companies. Motor boats from Bostancı arrive at 25-30 minutes. From Kartal, it is 30 minutes. From Kabatas, steamboats take you in 1,5 hour, while steam boats take you in 40 minutes (with more expensively, of course.)

Boğazici University: A Qualified University with a Spectacular View

Bogazici University is one of the best universities in Turkey. The views from the South Campus are very famous. Unfortunately, since a couple of years only students and graduates are allowed. I'll tell you about it in case you can make your way in or come as an Erasmus student.

History

The history of the university begins with Robert Collage. The boys' section of the university gave service at Bebek campus until 1971. Then, there was a change of law. Robert Collage could no longer be a collage, but a high school. It united with Arnavutkoy American Girls' Collage. The Bebek campus was granted to the government, under the condition that a university would be founded there. So began the history of Bogazici university.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where I studied philosophy :)

Campuses

There are six campuses of the university. Four of them are close to each other and the other two are a little bit far away.

South Campus: This is the most famous campus, because it keeps almost all the view to itself. Especially at spring and summer time, you can walk on the paths surrounded with trees and watch Bosphorus from different angles. It is also the original campus, so all the historical buildings dating from 19th century are here.

I was one of the lucky students whose faculty was at this campus (but we had lectures at three campuses). Aside from  the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Rectorate Building, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, the School of Foreign Languages, Natuk Birkan Building, Fine Arts Building (where you can take ceramics and sculpture courses), Conference and Concert Center, Student Activities' Building, Zeynep-Ayse Birkan Girls' Dormitory, 1. Boys' Dormitory (with a nice study hall where most students prepare for exams and write their papers), Kennedy Lodge (a restaurant with a Bosphorus view for only academics), Bogazici Alumni Association (with a fine restaurant and a pool), Dining Hall, Outdoor Swimming Pool, and the majestic Albert Long Hall, or the "Building with Clock (where important events and classical music concerts take place) are also in the confines of the South Campus.

There is a division of universities at Turkey: Some belong to the state and are free, some belong to foundations or rich people, they are expensive. Bogazici University is a state university, but the view at the resturants are not for free. BUMED restaurant serves very delicious food (and cheesecakes!) but it may not be suitable for students or backpackers. The canteens are also a little bit more expensive than they should be and you have to pay more the dining hall, compared to other universities.

You can take your food into the campus, or just sit and watch the view for free, of course. There are two famous spots of the university. The one at the top is called Petek (the comb, because of the shapes of the tiles) and the other one is called Manzara (the view, where you can view the Rumeli Fortress and the Anatolian coast, especially Goksu. Cats will always accompany you.)



North Campus: This is for me the most dull campus of all. All the buildings are new and grey. However, Aptullah Kuran Library is here. There is also a big, smooth space where you can see skaters. There are also Education Faculty, Educational Technologies faculty. Computer Engineering Building, the labs of Science and Engineering Sciences, 1. North Dormitory, 2. North Dormitory, 3. North Dormitory, 4. North Dormitory, 5. North Dormitory, the School of Foreign Languages, the New Building (which is obviously not new anymore), and the Dining Hall.

Hisar Campus: This is the other campus where you can see a bit of Bosphorus' view. The Natural Sciences' Institute, the School of Applied Sciences, Indoor Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, and the Agac Ev (a garden restaurant) are here. It is five minute walk away from the South Campus.

Ucaksavar Campus: This campus is ten minute walk away from the South Campus. It is not technically at Rumelihisarustu neigbourhood, but at Ucaksavar neighbourhood. The luxurious Superdorm is here. (Some friends were staying at lovely buldings with gardens around, but they are much more expensive than they should be, because cunning householders know that many students will have to rent an apartment. This is also valid for Rumelihisarustu.) There are also athletics track, sport halls, lodgings and Garanti Cultural Center.

Saritepe Campus: This campus is at Kilyos (yes, beaches!). The sea-sun-sand triangle may seem attractive, but the students didn't like it at the first years, because there was nothing else and the campus was very far away to the city center. I don't know how the situation is now, but I guess it is somehow better, after new buildings and new metro lines. The School of Foreign Languages, 2 student dormitories, community facilities complex and BURCBeach are here. You can pay the entrance fee and use BURCBeach whenever you want at summer.

How to get to Bogazici University 

It is easy to get to Bogazici University, if there is not any traffic. When I was a student, a crossover road was being built and I spent hours at traffic to get to my home at Anatolian coast. The road was finished and a Kadikoy bus (125) was put into servise (which actually enters directly into the Bosphorus traffic.)

Today, there are more options, if you like to avoid traffic. Marmaray has a Yenikapi stop. You can interchange the train (M2) there and go to Levent stop, there you can interchange again (M6) and get to Hisarustu stop. There are also buses to Taksim (559C) and Kabatas (43R). It is possible to walk some distances.

4 Places of Istanbul to Watch Judas Trees at Their Best

Between mid-April and mid-May is the time of judas trees for Bosphorus. Their pink blossoms decorate almost every part of each coast. Here are some best parts of Bosphorus where you can find the most pinkish-greenish scenes.

1. Arnavutkoy

Arnavutkoy is a beautiful neighbourhood at Besiktas. It is on the Bosphorus. You can either walk along the coast or climb the slopes. The view is wonderful either way. Arnavutkoy is perfect for unforgettible shots, so get your camera ready!

2. Bogazici University

Bogazici University is a university in Istanbul, probably with the best view. When I was studying there and after my graduation, the south campus could be visited by everyone who wants to enjoy the view. But the last couple of time I went there, they wanted me to show my student ID. (I think it is related with the control mania going through the whole country.) Anyway, you can enter the university either from Rumelihisarustu (upwards) or from Rumelihisari-Bebek (downwards). I prefer to enter from Rumelihisarustu and go out from Bebek.

3. Rumelihisari

Rumeli Hisari is the fortress on the Rumeli side. Rumelihisari is the name of the district. There are beautiful fish restaurants along the coast. You can also have the most scenic breakfast of your time. Turkish breakfast is very rich. Even the meanest breakfast has many varieties.

4. Asiyan

Asiyan is a little bit sad place, because there is a graveyard where precious names from Turkish literature sleep their forever sleep. Istanbul lover Orhan Veli is one of them and you can see his statue on the street side of the graveyard. (You can read a translation of his most famous Istanbul poem.) If you walk upwards the Asiyan Street (or down from Bogazici University), you can reach Tevfik Fikret Museum. The other names in the graveyard that you may be familiar with translated works are Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar, Edip Cansever, Attilâ Ilhan, Tezer Ozlu and Onat Kutlar.

Istanbul Tulip Festival 2015

Istanbul Tulip Festival 2015 will be held on 11 April-3 May 2015 at Goztepe 60. Yil Park and Emirgan Park. If you're interested, plan accordingly. Don't miss it!

Not only this park, but also many places will be full of colourful tulips during the spring. Istanbul is also famous for its judas trees. Just a walk on the Bosphorus coast will provide you spectacular views.

Where is Goztepe 60. Yil Park?

This is fairly a new park. I didn't even see it yet. As I see it, Istanbul still didn't meet its real park. (There is more concrete than greens.) Anyway, there is plenty of space for hundreds of tulips. It is near Bagdat Street. You may walk from Goztepe, or simply take a taxi from where you will come.

Where is Emirgan Park?

I think this park (actually woods) is much better and natural. You should visit here, even if you cannot catch the tulip festival. From Taksim or Besiktas, you can get on a bus. After only 15-20 minutes, you get off at Emirgan stop and walk a little. That's all. If you like, taxis are always available.

There are some other places you can see tulips, but the main events will take place at these two parks. You may listen to traditional music, what artists do paper marbling (ebru) or calligraphy, or buy some tulips. The whole programme is here, but it is unfortunately in Turkish:
http://www.ibb.gov.tr/sites/istanbuldalalezamani/Pages/FestivalProgrami.aspx