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Showing posts with label sariyer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sariyer. Show all posts

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.

Thursday, 23 July 2015

Rumeli Hisari: The Fortress on the European Side


When you say Rumeli Hisari, it means the fortress. When you say Rumelihisari, it means the district. I'll mainly tell you about the sight, but also mention the district.


The Fortress


Sultan Mehmet II made it built before the conquest of Istanbul, in order to prevent the attacks that may come from the north of Bosphorus, the narrowest part of it. It is just on the opposite of Anadolu Hisari. The construction finished on August 31, 1452. It was built in ninety days. It has three big towers and the biggest bastions in the world. The fortress is now a concert arena. Artillery, cannon balls, and the chain that is thought to be used to block the Golden Horn are exhibited on the yard.


The District


Rumelihisari is a coastal district with many restaurant choices. You can have a great breakfast with the view, or delicious lunch and dinner. The prices may be a little bit higher than usual because of the view, but I think it's usually worth it. The district is also very close to Bogazici University.


How to get to Rumeli Hisari?


The Sariyer buses that follow the coastal road will pass from Rumeli Hisari. Beware that the road is narrow and the traffic jam is very heavy on week ends. You can also use the ferry which is much more scenic, but it is less frequent than the bus lines. If you don't like the traffic, you can try to reach there backwards. You can get on the Haciosman metro and there, you can take a Sariyer bus and then go to Rumeli Hisari.
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