CENTRE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFE:
BEYOGLU
During the late Ottoman
Period, the European tradesmen, followed by the embassies community left the
confines of Galata Walls surrounding the Galata port area and created a new
cosmopolitan development at Beyoglu ( Pera) along the lines of European cities,
where diverse nationalities come together.
The area of the settlement was
referred to as Pera by seafarers and embassies community. The term means” the
other side” and refers to the area outside the old city. It is interesting to
note that such a bustling part of today’s Istanbul was previously viewed as a
distant corner. The name Beyoglu ( meaning a lord’s son) was associated with
the son of Byzzantine emperor or an ambassador of Venice who once settled in
the area.
The European-style mansion houses
that can be found in Beyoglu were built by European tradesmen and ambassadors
who settled in Istanbul. As there used to be frequent fires devastating the
region, it was prohibited to build wooden buildings; and the beautiful
buildings that have survived to the present day generally date to the time
after that ban.
Beyoglu once used to be
outside the Galata Walls. It was connected with other areas through new roads
following the demolition of the walls and its importance increased
significantly. It is known that even in the early Ottoman Period there were
entertainment venues in the vicinity, where seamen could enjoy the facilities before
their long sea journeys. At present, entertainment venues, art galleries,
cinemas, theatres and concert and live music performance halls make it a
cultural hub. Many cafes with street tables, as well as street performers mix
in with the din of the crowds to create a street orchestra. Sometimes the
streets become a veritable open air exhibition.
