Post Overview: Helpful tips for visiting Istiklal street to sightseeing, shopping, food, club, pub and art.
Locals say that Istiklal looks like it was transferred from Paris or Vienna: it looks very European. It was known as Grand Street or Grand Rue de Pera but later in the 20th century it became Istiklal street due to the Independence War lead by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Istiklal means “independence” in Turkish language).
The History of Istiklal Street
Istiklal street is one of the most well-known streets in Taksim, Istanbul that starts from istiklal avenue and ends near Golden Horn. It was created as a pedestrian zone intentionally. A row of countless shops, theatres, museums and libraries go along it. You can easily find headquarters of large business companies here. But, of course, Istiklal street is famous not only for the present activities but for its history.
Locals say that Istiklal looks like it was transferred from Paris or Vienna: it looks very European. It was known as Grand Street or Grand Rue de Pera but later in the 20th century it became Istiklal street due to the Independence War lead by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Istiklal means “independence” in Turkish language).
In the end of the 15th century first buildings started to emerge on the territory of the present Istiklal street. These were the houses of newly arrived muslims. Galata tower had already been built, besides, in the southern part of the street there was the gate known as the entrance to the city.
In the beginning of the 16th century the territory was inhabited by muslims, and disafforested. The place was highly appreciated by Europeans as well, and soon they started to build houses, workshops and small shops there. Then the street was named Grand Street. By the middle of the 16th century the catholic Church of Saint Louis des Français was built.
As time went by the street spread out and jointed the territory with the houses and workshops with Galata tower. Different important buildings like embassies of other countries started to arise. In the 17th century more churches, houses and embassies appeared as well as foreigners that settled there.
Turkish Republic, In the 1920s a military operation started in Turkey that is known as Independence war. Turkey became a republic and as a result Grand street was renamed to Istiklal street.
Where to See
Galatasaray High School
Istiklal street is a pedestrian zone in the center of the city. It is quite wide and is about 1,5 km in length. If you take a look at the street from above you can see that it is like boomerang in shape. At the curve of the street there is Galatasaray square with a famous Galatasaray High School on it.
An aulic school was built in 1481 and only boys could study there. However, from 1968 girls were also allowed to enter the school. The school is divided into 3 yards: elementary, secondary and senior.
The school fully took care of the scholars, providing them with food, clothes and all the necessary things. In 1992 Galatasaray university was founded and Galatasaray High School became a part of it.
Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage)
The majority of houses on Istiklal street are built in European architectural styles and Cicek Pasaji is not an exception. It was opened in 1876.
In the 1940s it was used mainly by flower shops, that is how it became Cicek Pasaji (Flower gallery in Turkish).
Cicek Pasaji is a covered gallery with restaurants, historical cafes and vine bars in it.
Asmali Mescit
Asmali Mescit is a street and it got its name from the name of a small mosque that doesn’t exist anymore. It is situated between Istiklal street and Mesrutiyet street, and is famous for its fish restaurants, traditional meyhanes and street foods.
St. Anthony of Padua Church
The church was built in Neo-Gothic style in 1724. In 200 years it was wrecked and then rebuilt again. It is the main catholic building in the city.
All church services are conducted only by Italian priests. There are houses that are for rent around the church. All the earnings are used for church needs.
Tunnel Square
Tünel is one of the oldest and the shortest subways in the world. The underground funicular connects 2 stations of Beyoglu and Karakoy. The length of today’s Tunel line is 573 m, height difference between the upper and the lower stations is 61,55 m. Movement interval is approximately 3-5 minutes, travel time is 1,5 minutes.
In 2022 Tunel celebrated 147th anniversary. If not to take into account New York and the Athens subways, which were opened as ground railways, Tunel is the second oldest subway in the world (after subway in London).
Madame Tussauds Istanbul
This is the 21st wax-figure museum in the world. It is housed in Grand Pera building on the Istiklal street.
You can see 55 figures of famous Turks and world’s famous actors, historians and scientists as well.
Pera Museum
Pera Museum is relatively new, it was opened in 2005. It is housed in Bristol hotel and has 3 changeless compositions. Besides, there are frequent exhibitions of other notorious European art galleries.
Pera Palace Hotel/ Netflix
Pera Palace Hotel was built in 1892 and became the first five-star hotel able to accommodate rich guests arriving to Istanbul by Orient Express. The building of the hotel, except for the sultan’s palace, is known as the first place where the electrical equipment and water supply was installed.
Pera Palace is famous for its first electric elevator in Turkey, which is the second in the world (after the Eiffel Tower). It still exists, but is mostly used to welcome guests and as the first going up. Today the hotel has modern elevators which are more capacious.
Pera Palace has a museum-hotel status. By 100th anniversary of Ataturk’s birth in 1981 room N101 was modified to Ataturk’s museum as he stayed in this room for several years. A lot of Ataturk’s private things are kept in room N101. It is available for visitors every day from 11:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 16:00.
Except for Agatha Cristie the hotel accepted a lot of other remarkable politicians, actors/ actresses, writers etc. The English king Edward VIII and the English queen Elizabeth II, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Leo Trotskiy, Greta Garbo, Sarah Bernhardt, Ernest Hemingway, Jacqueline Kennedy, Alfred Hitchcock and many others.
Before going to the Pera Hotel as a guest, you can watch the new Turkish TV series “Midnight at the Pera Palace Hotel”, where you can take a first look at the interiors of this famous place. The plot describes unusual events in the life of a young journalist Esra, who, having been assigned to write an article about the legendary historical hotel “Pera Palace”, finds herself involved in unusual incidents. Staying at the hotel overnight, she spends the night in the famous room 411, where Agatha Christie stayed and wrote her novel “Orient Express”. The key to time travel ends up in Esra’s hands, and the next day she wakes up in 1919. At the very time when a coup is being prepared under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The success of the project is also evidenced by the fact that after the broadcast of the TV series it is almost impossible to order a room or a table in a restaurant of the hotel. All the seats are occupied for many weeks ahead.
Cezayir sokagi (French street)
There is no use in asking the locals how to find the French street as there is no street with such name in Istanbul. It is called Cezayir street and is known as “French” only in travel guides. If you go right to Galatasaray High School and then go around it, Cezayir street will be right there. It will remind you of Paris at first sight: the houses are painted in bright colors – red, pink, violet, the pedestrian zone is covered by numberless tables of cafes and restaurants and there is a weird mix of French and Turkish music everywhere. There are a lot of outdoor terraces, flowers in tubs and sculptures. It is a perfect place to take a seat, take a cup of coffee and plan a further route.
Santa Maria Draperis Church
Istiklal street is like a big shopping mall. You can see here Turkish brands like DeFacto, LC Waikiki, Colin’s, LTB, Koton, Mavi and others, and international brands like Zara, Columbia, Adidas. There is no need to go shopping to any other place as you can find everything on the Istiklal street. Different sales and discounts are quite widespread here, so you can save not only your time but your money as well. Except for separate shops on the street there are also several shopping passageways here like Atlas and Terkos.
After you’ve done with shopping it’s time to refresh yourself: take a look at the Istiklal cafes!
Turkish street food is always bright, fragrant, juicy and extremely delicious. Every dish is always cooked with safety, no unpleasant consequences or indigestion. It’s not a country, but a fast food paradise!
Almost every Turkish dish is based on an ancient recipe or refers us to the times of the Ottoman empire. Besides, Turkish cuisine is very closely connected with the cuisine of the countries on the other side of the border.
Most dishes are cooked in ovens or on an open fire, that helps to avoid getting extra overcooked fat in the food.
Below are the dishes that you just need to try if you find yourself on Istiklal Street.
Narmanlı Han
Built in 1831, the building was used as the Russian Embassy until 1880 and then as a Russian prison until 1914, then became the property of the Narmanlı family.
What/Where to Eat at Istiklal Street
Doner
Doner is a world well-known Turkish-style shawarma or gyros. It may consist of thin slices of beef or chicken wrapped in flatbread (durum) or stuffed into a half loaf of bread (ekmek arasi). At the north end of Istiklal street there are several doner cafes popular among foreigners.
Top Doner Restaurant at İstiklal Street:
Manti
Manti is often called Turkish ravioli. They are different in size and may be boiled, baked, steamed or fried. A classic filling consists of either lamb or beef with onions and spices. Traditional toppings are a garlicky yogurt sauce with sumac, oregano, mint or red pepper.
There are 2 classic manti recipes, the one that is made in Kayseri, and the other one that is made in Aegean region. When you come to Istanbul you must try at least one variety in one of the manti cafes on the Istiklal street. Manti is one of the traditional Turkish dishes.
Best Manti Restorants at İstiklal Street
Kumpir
Classic kumpir is a large potato baked in a foil. As soon as the potato is ready, it is taken out, the skin is being cut along and a small amount of salt, butter and cheese is being put into. Usually kumpir sellers offer the following fillings: olives, peas, corn, mushrooms, sausages, Russian salad and many others. Kumpir is often topped with ketchup or mayonnaise. You can easily find kumpir cafes on the Istiklal street to taste one of the best street food in the world!
Lahmacun
Lahmacun is the fastest and easiest way to feed children with meat, those who know will understand. Alas, children and meat are not the same as children and sausages. So, the battle with sausages will be easily won by this beautiful flatbread with meat filling.
If you want to explain in a nutshell what lahmacun is, say this is a Turkish pizza. In fact, lahmacun is different from pizza. The dough for this dish turns out to be thinner and crisper, besides, there is no cheese in the filling, but there is spicy paprika and hot pepper. The classic lahmacun is 20 cm in diameter and 200 g of brittle dough and a thin layer of meat with vegetables and herbs.
So when you think of the best dish to offer your children while walking along the Istiklal street, lahmacun may be the right choice.
Iskender kebab
It is believed that Iskender kebab was invented thanks to Alexander the Great. The word “Iskender” in Turkish means Alexander. Allegedly, the commander was a big fan of eating fried meat, particularly putting pieces of meat on a flatbread, and watering the whole thing with tomato juice and sour milk.
In Bursa, people are proud of another Iskender, a cook who lived in this famous city in the middle of the 19th century and invented this dish.
The ready dish is served very interestingly. Lavash or flatbread is placed on a large plate cut into small pieces. Then, as on a pillow, thin plates of cut meat are laid out. All this is poured with tomato sauce and hot melted butter. Yogurt is also added to the edge of the plate. As a rule, vegetable salad is served as a side appetizer on a separate dish.
Feel close to Alexander the Great and taste this delicious dish in one of the cafes on the Istiklal street!
Istanbul Traveling Advice That You Simply Must Read
There are many factors to consider when planning a trip, whether you’re coming to Istanbul or anywhere. However, experience and some basic knowledge will make it much easier to map out your travel plans and itinerary. The information below has some great advice for anyone who may travel at some point in time.
Suggestion: Şişli, Fatih, Bakırköy, Balat
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