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One of the most established places in Istanbul, Istiklal Street, located in Beyoğlu, is one of the busiest and most famous streets in Turkey. The street, which has maintained its fame since the 19th century, stretches between Tünel and Taksim Square. People from different countries create a cultural mosaic on this street. Tourists who come to Istanbul for sightseeing prefer to stay in hotels close to Istiklal Street. You can shop here as you wish and find a cafe to sit in when you are tired. The street, which is visited by people of all ethnic backgrounds, has an attitude that fascinates everyone. Istiklal Street is colored every day with friends, families and lovers arm in arm. This street, where loves are experienced and loves end, has not neglected to be a source of inspiration for many people. It has adorned the verses of poems that have become the subject of songs. Istiklal Street is a summary of the indescribable Istanbul. It makes you feel like you are you. If you cannot decide what to do on your weekend, you can choose Istiklal Street.

Istiklal Street, which stretches between Taksim Square and Tünel, is 1,400 meters long and its center is considered Galatasaray Square, where the 50th Year Monument is located. Closed to traffic since 1990, the street is crowded almost every hour of the day and maintains its liveliness despite the changing profile of its visitors. Today, the street, which houses many clothing stores, restaurants, cafes, bank branches, consulates and cultural institutions, has undergone serious transformations over the years.

The name of the street before 1927 was “Cadde-i Kebir” in Ottoman and “Grande Rue de Pera” in French, meaning Pera’s grand street. “Pera” means “opposite bank” or “beyond” in Greek. It takes this name because it is opposite the Golden Horn and the historical peninsula. The name “Beyoğlu” probably comes from the fact that Gritti, the son of the Venetian ambassador, had a mansion in this area, which was full of vineyards and gardens during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent.

Pera, a neighborhood of Byzantium, gained its historical importance as a Genoese colony. From the 14th century onwards, it became the gateway to the East for the Western Mediterranean, and this continued when the city fell into Ottoman hands. The Ottomans sent several Latin Catholic churches within the city walls to Pera, and as diplomatic relations with Western states developed, they gave them land here to establish embassies. Business houses, religious institutions, educational institutions, etc. were built around these embassies, and as the determining role of the West strengthened with the industrial revolution, Pera became the gateway to goods and even customs coming from the West. Pera, or Beyoğlu, was at the center of what the Tanzimat Edict (1839) brought, and the increasing influence of non-Muslims and Westerners in general in Ottoman society. The Grand Rue de Pera was also the most “Western” face of the empire in terms of its architectural, demographic and lifestyle features. Two major fires in the district in 1830 and 1871 destroyed more than three thousand buildings, giving the newly rich the opportunity to build elegant mansions.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a popular street located between Tünel Square and Taksim Square in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul.

Located in the middle of a history spanning thousands of years, this street has hosted people from dozens of nations and has held a part of their culture for hundreds of years. Today, this street is one of the first places local and foreign tourists visit when they come to Istanbul.

Walking on Taksim Istiklal Street

They can go to the Year Republic Monument, Hazzapoulo Passage, St. Anthony Church, Turkey Business Center, Asmalımescit, Tünel Metro, Galata Mevlevi Lodge, Şişhane Square and Galata Tower.

Where is Istiklal Street? Formerly known as Grande Rue de Pera, Istiklal Street is one of Istanbul's most popular meeting places, a center for entertainment events, and one of the city's most attractive streets. It is located in the Taksim neighborhood of the Beyoğlu district.

This street is a beauty that witnessed the passing of nostalgic trams, is open only to pedestrians and is surrounded by historical embassy buildings allocated to consulates during the Republic period. Among the places to visit in Istanbul, Istiklal Street is approximately 1.5 km long and is located in the Beyoğlu district.

He replied, "2 million people pass through Istiklal every day."

The Byzantines on the Istanbul side named it 'Pera', meaning 'the opposite side'. Since Emperor Justinian had many buildings built in GALATA later on, it is also called 'Justinyana'. The Turks named Pera 'Beyoğlu', meaning a larger area.

St. Anthony's Catholic Church (French: St. Antoine) is the largest Catholic church in Istanbul and has the largest congregation. It is located on Istiklal Street in Beyoğlu, on the left as you go from Galatasaray (on the Galatasaray High School side) towards Tünel.

1.Aynalıkavak Pavilion Aynalıkavak Pavilion, located in the Kasımpaşa district of Beyoğlu, ...
2. Çiçek Pasajı ...
3. French Street ...
Galata Mevlevi Lodge. ...
Galatasaray Bath ...
Galata Tower. ...
7. Camondo Stairs. ...
Pera Museum.

According to information obtained from historical sources, the first Muslim settlements on Istiklal Street began with İskender Pasha's construction of the Galata Mevlevi Lodge (1491). The Mevlevi Lodge, whose land was gifted by Bayezid II, is still a center of attraction visited by people of all beliefs.

The name of the street before 1927 was "Cadde-i Kebir" in Ottoman and "Grande Rue de Pera" in French, meaning Pera's grand street. "Pera" means "opposite shore" or "beyond" in Greek. It takes this name because it is located opposite the Golden Horn and the historical peninsula.

The closest metro station to Taksim, Beyoğlu Istiklal Street is Taksim.

There are 253 stores on Istiklal Street. 26 of them belong to international brands. Istiklal Street, which is the most popular street in Istanbul and has the highest number of local and foreign visitors, was affected by security concerns.

One of the most famous streets in Istanbul and the world, always valuable and always crowded for centuries... You can see faces of people from every nation... The first street that many tourists who come to Istanbul visit... It contains historical buildings, churches and places. Although I don't like to visit this place very much, it can be visited once every few years.

You are walking around historical buildings. A street that needs to be preserved. You will see many exhibitions while walking on this street. Some are paid, some are free.

A beautiful, crowded and lively street. There are shopping malls and restaurants. It is close to the metro. It is very close to Galata and Taksim.

You can walk on it with pleasure in every season. It is one of the important places that especially foreign tourists visit in Istanbul when they come to Turkey. Istiklal Street has been one of the symbols of Istanbul for many years. It is very crowded especially on New Year's Eve and holidays. If you have time, I definitely recommend taking the nostalgic tram.

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  • touristic place:Yes
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