TURKEY ISTANBUL- ISTIKLAL CADDESI

ISTIKLAL CADDESI

Istilal Caddesi is one of the liveliest streets of Istanbul. Every day thousands walk through it. The only vehicular movement breaking the flood of human activity is the nostalgic thread of tramlines. Both sides of the street are line with art galleries, famous shops selling accessories and jewellery, cafes where lively talk goes on and passages where drinking dens are situated.

 Most of the buildings identified with the avenue as well as the passages were built at the turn of the 20^th century under the influence of the art nouveau movement, which was at the height of fashion then. Beyoglu together with Galata is closely associated with Europe and any new trend or fashion was quickly adopted there. The pilaster sculpture and some self-standing statues decorating the facades of the period buildings are worth close examination. At the mid-section of Istiklal Street the crowd thickens. The place where seafarers from diverse lands met during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods is today one of the most popular areas.

An interesting route from the terminus of Tunel (funicular) first leads you to GALATA MEVLEVIHANESI (HOUSE OF MEVLEVI OF DIVAN LITERATURE) situated at Galip Dede Street. The Mevlevhane was built in 1491 by Mehmet Dede, the grandson of Mevlana Celaleddin –I Rumi who had a particular place in history on account of his teaching and philosophy. Despite being devastated in firestorm and other disaster the building, with repairs and renovation, has survived to our own day.

 On the first and last Saturday of every month, the Sema ritual (of whirling dervishes) is performed at the Semaane (ritual hall) section which is also used as a museum. In the Mevlevihane are also the cells of the dervishes who devoted themselves to the Mevlevi Order as well as library. The tombs of masters and dervishes are in the courtyard. For those who wish to learn about Mevlevi Order, a visit to the museum is a must, with its exhibits off artefacts relating to Mevlevi culture, classical Turkish Musical instruments and illuminated manuscripts. The tomb of Galip Dede is in front of the Mevlevhane.

As in Ottoman times the Consulates are lined up along the Beyoglu. They were all built during the late Ottoman Period. When the capital moved from Istanbul to Ankara the embassies too moved; however the buildings of embassies still stand and they are used for different purposes today. Some of the Consulates have churches or chapels in their courtyard for their religious rituals.

One spot famous for its cafes and bars of the Istiklal Street is Asnalimescit Road. One of the oldest hotels of Istanbul, the Pera Palasm is next to the never sleeping entertainment hub. Next to the hotel is the Museum of Pera which houses paintings of famous Ottoman artists.

One of the most famous meeting points in Istiklal Street is the Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage), opposite the Galatasaray Lycee. The tables are always full, with customers of all ages busily chatting. To reach Cezayir Street, you walk down the slope following the walls of Galatasaray Lycee and turn left.

The passage buildings illustrate the special atmosphere of the Istiklal Street. Most of them were built in the late 19^th century or early 20^th century and each one has its own surprises. One of the most interesting buildings is Halep Pasaji where a pilaster sculpture of a clown adorns the façade. The clown is actually clue as to the original use of the building: it was formerly a circus. The famous Beyoglu Cinema can also be found in that building.

In Istanbul the overwhelming Christian community is Orthodox. One of the grandest churches in Istanbul. Aya Triada (Holy Trinity) near Taksim Square is an Orthodox Church

Taksim Meydani ( Taksim Square) is at the end of Istiklal Street . The square was the water distribution centre of Istanbul in the past and so it took the name Taksim which means distribution in Turkish. It is one of the busiest places in Istanbul and never sleeps.

If you walk from one end of Istiklal Street to the other you will not have savoured it fully. So go back, walk slowly, visit the passages, sit in its cafes, bars and drinking dens and enjoy Turkish meze (starters) with your drink. After sunset walk the street once more. The crowd will be more dense and the taste of the street different as the oriental music pouring out of the bars will take you to other worlds.