Beyoglu Taksim
Istiklal Street
Starting from the historic neighbourhood around the Galata
Tower and running up as far as Taksim Square, Beyoglu is
and has always been the foreign quarter and the scene of
the city's ballrooms, theatres and nightlife. It reached
its peak in the mid- to late 19th century, along the gas-lit
'Grande Rue de Pera' (now Istiklal Caddesi), the
centrepiece for an Art Nouveau Belle Époque. French was
spoken, top hats and tails required in the now boisterous
Çiçek Passage and dispossessed Russian princesses arrived
in droves to teach ballet and open restaurants. The Pera
Palas Hotel was built to house visitors arriving on the
Orient Express, which was completed in 1889. Today,
visitors need to look carefully to see the remains of the
Art Nouveau era in Istanbul but it is well worth the
effort, for example the Botter House next to the Swedish
Embassy at the Tünel end of Istiklal Caddesi, with its
propellor-like projecting daisies. The mile-long
pedestrian street, Istiklal Caddesi, was once a swish
European quarter and the evidence is still there,
especially in the old passages that still retain much of
their original architectural charm and caryatids, although
many are now home to art cinemas, music shops and bars. If
walking from Tunel to Taksim Square, up Istiklal Caddesi,
noteworthy buildings are the Tünel Passage across from the
Tünel tram stop, the Syrian Passage at number 346, the
Alhamra at number 258 (now home to a contemporary art
gallery), the Alkazar at number 179, the Aleppo at number
138, the Emek at number 124, which used to house an
exclusive private club and the Cité Roumelie at number 88.
Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoglu Transport: Tram to Tunel or
Taksim
Beyoglu and the Istiklal Street are two popular
places among people from every age category,
from teenagers to elderly people. The Istiklal
Street is the meeting place for the lovers and
friends. The district starts with the statute of
Ataturk in Taksim Square. The prominent landmark
of Taksim Square is the Marmara Hotel, a tall
building which is another meeting place for the
people. The Istiklal Street is a pedestrian
street which is approximately 3-4 km. long. The
cobber stone street reminds one of the old days...There
are cozy cafes, restaurants, shops, bookstores,
movie theaters, music stores on this street.
Most of the movie theaters are located here.
There are small back streets where you can
discover little but friendly cafés. When one
comes to the halfway of the street, the area
changes its name to "Galatasaray" which is also
the name of the Junior High School which gives
training in French and the major soccer team of
Turkey.
When one continues to walk along the Grande Rue
de Pera, reaches the beautiful gothic Catholic
Church of St. Anthony.
It was constructed in 1907. This church
resembles Notre Dame de Paris very much but much
smaller. It is still active and also concerts
and special events take place here.
Historically, Pera is the name of the district
where foreign people used to reside. The former.
name of this street was Grande Rue de Pera.
There are many consular buildings in Pera,
including Russian, Swedish, French, American and
British Consulate General. Most of the buildings
in Istiklal Street are from mid-19th C to late
19th C and carry a French influence. French
Baroque and neo-classical style were two leading
styles in these buildings. Foreign people who
worked in Istanbul usually lived in this area
and shaped the neighborhood in a very European
way. There are old Russian and French
Restaurants hidden in the small streets of Pera
which gives the taste of the old days.
Today, this lovely street hosts couples who come
to relax after a long working day, tourists,
young students and anyone who wants to take a
peaceful walk and watch around. With its nice
cafes, restaurants and cozy bars, it's an
indispensable spot for Istanbul people...
