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Showing posts with label Natural Sights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Natural Sights. Show all posts

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

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.

Sunday, 2 August 2015

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.

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Gulhane Park: Nature and History Together



Gulhane Park is a historical park at Fatih district. It is in between Alay Kiosk, Topkapi Palace and Sarayburnu. 

History


Gulhane Park was one the outer yard of Topkapi Palace, and there was a wood covered with roses. The imperial eddict of Gulhane signalled the democratization in Turkish history in 1839. It was turned into a park in 1912. The park has been renovated a couple of times. Until 2001, there was a small zoo in it, but it was closed regarding to the complaints about the ill treatment towards animals. In 2003, the park renovated and became almost as good as in old times.

Sights


Column of the Goths: This column stands on Sarayburnu. It reached today from Roman times almost undamaged. It is a little bit hidden among the trees. It is 18.5 meter high. There is a Latin inscription on it, meaning "to Fortuna, who came back in consequence of defeating Goths". It might be referring either to the victory of Claudius II or to the victory of Constantine I in 331-332.


Istanbul History of Islamic Science and Technology Museum: This is really a historic museum, with almost everything being representative. There are some original stuff in it, but most of them are at some other museum abroad. It may be good to see the history. However, I recommend you to take you time at Topkapi Palace and the Archaeology Museum.


Alay Kosku (Regiment Kiosk): It is built behind the outer wall of Topkapi Palace. Sultans used to watch regiments parading. There was a wooden kiosk in 16th century. It was throughly renovated in 1938. It has been serving as Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar Edebiyat Müze Kütüphanesi (The Library of Literature Museum) since 2011.



How to get to Gulhane Park


You can easily go to the park walking up from Sirkeci or down from Sultanahmet. The Kabatas-Bagcilar tram also have a Gulhane stop.

Sunday, 17 May 2015

Ihlamur Kasri (Pavilion) with its Well-Kept Garden and Peacocks

Ihlamur is near Fulya neighbourhood between Nisantasi and Besiktas. Ihlamur means "linden" in Turkish. Today, although the yard is very colourful, there is not much linden odour left. It is a perfect place to wander around for a couple hours or have a refreshing breakfast.

A view from the yard. Unfortunately it is interrupted by skyscrapers. The building is the cortege pavilion.

Sultan Abdulmecit ordered the famous Armenian architect Nigogos Balyan to build two pavilions, one for ceremony, the other for cortege. (By the way, Balyan brothers were very famous at late Ottoman times. Nigogos Balyan was also the architect of Small Mecidiye Mosque, Dolmabahce Mosque, Adile Sultan Pavilion, Ortakoy Mosque or Big Mecidiye Mosque, Kucuksu Pavilion.) The orijinal Ihlamur Pavilion is the ceremony pavilion. It is bigger and heavily decorated. The cortege pavilion is smaller and plain compared to the former.

The ceremony pavilion.
After the death of Abdulmecit, Sultan Abdulaziz took care of his brother's favourite buildings (somehow less than him). He organized cock fights and ram fights in the garden. Then Sultan Mehmet Resat V took regular rests here. In 1910, Bulgarian and Serbian kings were was hosted here. Before the pavilions were built, the land was remembered as a resort. It had three sections, including a pool, a garden and an orchard. Then after some regulations at the reigns of Ahmed III, Abdulhamid I and Selim III it became the private garden of the sultans. (The people out!) One of the famous guests of the garden at that time was the French poet Lamartine.

A peacock from the garden.
Today, the buildings are museums. You can visit the garden by paying 1 TL and see the buildings from outside. I remember entering the building once when I was a university student. I had a couple of breakfast. I love to visit the garden in spring. If I'm lucky, I see a peacock.

How to get to Ihlamur Pavilion


Fulya is a prosperous neighbourhood. I can explain the lack of public transportation only with this. If you can afford it, you can take a taxi. However, it is an easy and short walk to the pavilion from Mecidiyekoy, Nisantasi or Besiktas. If you have half an hour and if the weather is fine, don't bother to walk.

Sunday, 3 May 2015

Polonezkoy: Green and Polish




Polonezkoy, formerly Adampol, is a Polack village at Beykoz. It has lots of green and peace, so it is ideal for an escape from the city. It is 20 km away from Black Sea coast and 15 km away from the Bosphorus coast.

Polonezkoy was founded by Adam Czartoryski, who was the mayor during The November Uprising (1830 Polish Revolution) and the political leader of Polish exiles, in 1842. The village was named Adampol, the village of Adam (Adamköy, "köy" is village in Turkish). The land they settled was originally organized as a farm by the Lazarist fathers of Saint Benoit French High School (still in operation at Karakoy). Adam negotiated with Ottoman government, made deals and bought some land. The village began with 12 habitants and grew dramatically.

Even before the World War II, people started to come here with touristic purposes. Among the famous names who have visited Polonezkoy are Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt (1847), French writer Gustave Flaubert and Czech writer Karel Droz (1904).

Sights at Polonezkoy


Zofia Rizi Memory House: This house is one of the oldest houses of Polonezkoy. It was built between the years 1881-1883. It is a traditional Polish house and still original. It is almost hidden in the middle of its green garden. Inside, there are photos and belongings of Ryzy family.

Czestochowa's Church (Temple of Holy Anna): This is a historical church at Polonezkoy. The first religious building at Polonezkoy is Holy Anna Church, built in 1842. Unfortunately the original church was ruined severely at the big eartquake that hit Istanbul in 1894. In 1914, Czestochowa Chapel was built.

Polonezkoy Catolic Cemetary: The first residents of Adampol sleep their forever sleeps, here in the Polonezkoy Cemetary. There are also graves of important Polish people. The grave stones are mostly in Polish. An interesting grave that belongs to a Polish officer has reached today as a mausoleum.

And of course, you can always visit green planes, and walk or sit on them.

How to get to Polonezkoy


It is both hard and easy to get to Polonezkoy. There is no public transportation. You can go to a nearbyplace like Ucpinarlar, then take a taxi which may be expensive. In my opinion, the best way is to rent a car and go there free from any worries.

Polonezkoy hotels


There are no big and five star hotels at Polonezkoy, which is actually good. You can feel the nature at pansions and renovated traditional houses. However, if you go out in the morning, you won't even need to stay overnight and you can choose a hotel at the Istanbul city center.

What to eat at Polonezkoy

There are many choices of restaurants at Polonezkoy. My favourites are the ones with the village style. There is nothing more delicious at Polonezkoy than the economic combination of ayran (yoghurt drink) and gozleme (Stuff like cheese, potato or spinach between phyllo).

Every June, the village hosts the Polonezkoy Cherry Festival. It is very close, so don't miss it.

Baltalimani Japanese Garden


Baltalimani Japanese Garden is an interesting and lovely park in Istanbul. It is a little bit small, but it is usullly quiet and you can make short walks inside it. It seems like a private property at first, but it is a free public place. If you walk around, it won't take more than five minutes. However, if you digest the view it may feel like a lifetime.

The park is designed like a traditional Japanese Garden. There is a traditional Japanese house where some events are held, one of which is Japanese festival with origami, cosplay and many more. (God, how could I miss a festival with origami!) There are also sakuras and garden lanterns in the garden. I don't know any Japanese, so unfortunately I don't know what are the meanings of inscriptions on the stones.

There is also a board with Istanbul Bosphorus and Shimonoseki Hinoyama Park. Both resemble each other in having bridges and sea view. There is also a Turkish Tulips' Garden seeing Kanmon Bridge. Turkish and Japanese people are always friends at heart.

If you like to visit the park, you should get off at Baltalimani Bus Stop. Baltalimani is a beautiful neigbourhood, so don't worry if your walk at the park finishes too soon. There are chic restaurants, historical artifacts and beautiful views around.

Sunday, 26 April 2015

Buyukada: The Biggest of Prince Islands.

Buyukada is the biggest of the Prince Islands and it has everything you need. Sea, seagulls, restaurants, colourful flowers, beautiful houses... However, it gets very crowded on weekends, if the weather is fine, and at spring and summer. Here is a quick tip. If you want to get away from the crowd, go leftwards or upwards after you set foot in the island.

There is no motor transportation (except offical ones) at the island. You have three choices: Coaches, bicycles and your feet. I don't like how they treat the horses, so I avoid the coaches; they are unneccesarily expensive, anyway. Bicycles are cheaper and faster. Walking lets you to enjoy the views at most.


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.)

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Visit Rumelifeneri, if you want to escape the city!

Rumelifeneri is a neighbourhood of Sariyer. It is situated on the northern part of Bosphorus. Anadolufeneri is on the opposite side. There are some evidence that the ancient name of the village was Panion. The village welcomes you with a lovely view with trees and animals. When you walk for a few minutes, you can also sea the beautiful Bosphorus view.

General view
When it is written as "Anadolu Feneri", it refers to the lighthouse. It is situated on the spot that Bosphorus and Black Sea intersect. It is two miles away from Anadolu Feneri. Inside the lighthouse is the tomb of Sari Saltuk Dede, who is a legendary folk hero. The lighthouse used to be operated with gas oil and acetylene, but today it is operated with electricity. It began to be operated together with Anadolu Feneri by the French in 1856. After capitulations ended, the operation was handed to Turks.

Rumeli Feneri

Oreke Rocks


Oreke Rocks, or Roke (or Hera) are five massive rocks on the coast of Rumeli Feneri. Today the spaces between the rocks are filled for the harbour. Byzantines used to call these rocks "Kyanaeis" and "Symplegades". On the top of the biggest rock was the Pompeus Column, or Nisangah Stone (the marking stone). You can still see the ruins from the right angle. (We had hardship to catch a close capture.)

The inscriptions on the column says that it was erected as a dedication to Tiberius and that the seamen made sacrifices for gods in order to be safe from the hazards at the sea. After Ottomans got hold of the village, they also renamed the rock many times. The rocks were also mentions in the famous Travel Book of Evliya Celebi and the Atlas of Ali Macar Reis, which is in the Topkapi Palace Museum Library.


The Castle of Rumeli Feneri


The Castle of Rumeli Feneri is from 17th century. It has an arched gate at the entrance. It had two towers and was rebuilt at the reign of Murat II. Around 300 was living there then. In the early times of republic, it was used as a police station. Today it is unfortunately almost idle. I hope the municipality will take care of this impressive artifact.

Bosphorus view from inside the castle
The panaromic view of the castle
The entrance and the gate of the castle

Transportation in Rumeli Feneri


You can easily go to Rumeli Feneri with public transport. There are buses that use the coastal road. The route is rather scenic. However, the traffic jam can be very heavy on weekends. Then you can try the second option: Go to Haciosman metro stop and enter Haciosman bus terminal. The Rumeli Feneri bus operates half-hourly.

The village is small and there is almost no places to stay, but if you like you can stay around. Sariyer center, Tarabya, Yenikoy, and other places on the Bosphorus coast is good. You can also stay on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus. There are steamships that operate a couple of times in the day. You can add a Boshorus sea tour to your Istanbul travel. Check this link:

http://en.sehirhatlari.com.tr/en/timetable/to-bosphorus-from-bosphorus-365.html

There are lots of lovely cats and dogs (and birds, cows, horses) around Rumelihisari.

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.

Thursday, 20 November 2014

Cuteness Alert! Cats of Istanbul

Cats of Istanbul is one of the first things you'll realize, even before the sights. Cats are a characteristic of Istanbul. You can see cats at any corner and at any street. Most of these cats are very friendly (as our blog is) and let you to stroke their heads and backs.

If you visit Istanbul you are lucky in two ways: you'll see the judas trees bloom and new kittens walk around. Every spring I feel like going crazy when I see those cuties. I visit particularly Nisantasi Demokrasi Park for feline reasons.



I have dozens of photos that I had difficulty to filter out. Some cats are more friendly, some cats run away. But what they have in common is that they are all so photogenic! So, unfortunately I can only share a few of them.

1. Nisantasi cats


These are my favourites. As I mentioned above, there are always new cats wandering every spring. Nisantasi residents are very nice to cats. Cats here have specially built residences, I would say "feline villas". They are never hungry thanks to generous people who bring cat food every day.



You can see these comfortable cats at Nisantasi Demokrasi Park, at the yard of Harbiye Military Museum and Cultural Center Commend and at the streets. Some kittens are taken home by the dwellers.

A cat selfie?

2. Bosphorus cats


By Bosphorus cats I actually mean Bosphorus University cats. Most cats are under the care and protection of academicians. The cats wanter in and out of the faculties. It's very common to attend a lecture with a cat on the chair next to you :)

Bosphorus University is founded on a vast area and has a garden covered with grass. If I were a cat, I would deem it the heaven on earth. The students are also mostly cat lovers. They share their foods and spend times with the cats.



You can come across these cuties everywhere, but unfortunately some people are hard on the cats and most drivers are careless of them (and of other animals, and humans). You can take a wounded cat to a veterinary or if it is extremely afraid, you can make it feel safe.
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