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Showing posts with label bebek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bebek. Show all posts

Tuesday, 19 May 2015

Some Old Photos of Istanbul That Will Make You Yearn For the Past

Photos are the witnesses of the moments. Especially old photos tell us much about the past. Istanbul is a fast changing city and the old photos show this apparent dramatic change. As for me, the nature and the architecture were better that days. There are lots of old photos of Istanbul, but I'll share some of the one I found from this link, in order not to lose track: https://eksisozluk.com/entry/49938046

I chose my best places for me, but you can check out other photos on the link.

1. Taksim Square 


There are some interesting details in the pictures. You can see that the landscape is much better organized than today's meaningless grey area. You can also see Topcu Kislasi (Barracks), which has been demolished long ago and the government wanted to rebuilt again, demolishing Gezi Park. But the people didn't let the park go.



2. Galata Tower


There are again two things that draw attention. Firstly, Galata Tower doesn't have its conic roof. The first tower dates back to 528 (Byzantian times). In 1348, the Genoese built it with a conic roof. But there was two fires in Istanbul, and it was burned down and restorated. After the roof fly off after a storm, the authorities gave up and built an eighth storey instead. Today it has its roof. Secondly, you may notice the walls at the bottom. Unfortunately, you won't see any of them today. I wish I could say they built better things, but there are only tea houses.



3. Karakoy


Karakoy has changed much, too. The roads are wider, but somehow there are more buildings. The former tram line doesn't work, but there is a longer tram line. Today there is no tram to Tatavla. Tatavla is the former Greek name of Kurtulus district. The pier is pretty much the same, except the huge cruises today. Karakoy is the cruise stop of Istanbul.



4. Sultanahmet


Hagia Sophia is the controversial building of Sultanahmet. It was originally a church and it was rebuilt a couple of times. Then Mehmed conquered Constantinople and turned it into a mosque, covering the frescos. Today it is a museum, and I think so it should be. However, there are disputed again that it should be a mosque (as if Sultanahmet didn't already have a great Blue Mosque).



5. Ayvansaray - Edirnekapi


Ayvansaray is a neigbourhood that is famous for its traditional houses. It is at Edirnekapi, where you can visit Chora Mosque. Edirnekapi was one of the gates of Constantinople. Unfortunately most of the old houses and walls are almost ruins out of neglect. However, Chora Mosque is well preserved with its valuable frescos. Today it is hard to find the museum among the vast of buildings.



6. Kadikoy


Kadıkoy is fairly a newer settlement than the ones at the European coast. People must have thought there was nothing there, but it was a lovely coastal district. Today, it is one of the most crowded districts in Istanbul. And the nostalgic tram is reopened and still operating.



7. Uskudar


Uskudar is also at the Anatolian coast. The Maiden's Tower is still erect with its legends (and its unaffordable restaurant). Watching it and just stepping in is free. You'll see African people in one picture. Unfortunely, they were chosen as servants at that time. The mosque is still there, if you visit Uskudar today.




8. Prince Islands


Prince Islands had much more space and much more green when there was less settlement. However, Buyukada was always more crowded than other islands. The building below is still standing and you can still watch the similar view on the other photo. Today, you can visit all the islands easily. Authorities are planning to open two more islands, Yassiada and Sivriada, to settlement, but the residents of other islands and environmentalist are justifiably opposing.



Istanbul changes so fast that I am doubful about what I write on the blog is still there! I'll keep on writing anyway.

Sunday, 26 April 2015

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.
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