What to See in Taksim Square?
Taksim Square (tur. Taksim Meydani) is one of the most popular places tourists and Turkish people. This is the real pulse of Istanbul, from here you can get to the sights, or just walk along Istiklal Street, enjoy shopping or delicious food.
Why is it definitely worth visiting it when visiting Istanbul? The answer is simple, life is 24/7 hour in day.This is the real heart of the city.
The history of the name of Taksim Square
Where did the name Taksim Square come from? The name translates as the word “separation”, hence the beginning of the story. After all, from the modern Taksim Square until the end of the 19th century, water was distributed from forest sources.
How to get to the square?
Since Taksim Square is the center, there are many ways to get to it.Bus stops, metro, funicular, as well as a historic retro tram.
To get there by metro and funicular, you need to get off at the station of the same name – Taksim.
How to get from different places in the city:
- Istanbul Airport (The IST-19 bus runs from Istanbul Airport.)
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport (From Sabiha Airport to Taksim can be reached by direct Havabus buses (about 40 minutes drive, it all depends on traffic jams).)
- Sultanahmet, Fatih (Depending on the location of your hotel, you can get from Sultanahmet and Fatih by tram or metro.)
- Kadikoy District (From Kadikoy Pier, Harem Bus Station and the Haidarpasha Railway Station area, you can take bus No. 110.)
What to see at the square?
In the center of the square is the Monument of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Aniti), created in 1928 by the Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica. The monument was built during the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey (in 1923 after the War of Independence).
The 11-meter monument depicts the founders of the new Turkey. The main characters are, of course, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as well as his faithful companions — General Ismet Inenyu and Marshal Fevzi Chakmak.
Also on Taksim Square there is a park for recreation. There are many cafes in the park where you can have a great time.
In the immediate vicinity of Taksim there is a monumental building of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, opened in 1880, with two bell towers — the largest Greek temple in the city and the first domed temple.
Hotels in Taksim
Hotels here will have a fairly high price list, since Taksim is considered the center. But if you wish, you can always find more cheap choice. There are too much modern and old buildings which are completely rebuilt inside for the needs of the most discerning tourists.
It is worth noting that according to statistics Taksim and Istiklal Street ranks first in terms of the number of bars and clubs. Therefore, if you want to have fun and noisy time, you should come here.
For art lovers, we do not recommend visiting this square, since Taksim has now lost its historical significance. But you can get from the square to the historical objects.
Taksim Square and Taksim Mosque
You can read this article in Russian language: Что посмотреть на площади Таксим?