The name of Taksim Square comes from the fact that the water distribution to the city used to be done from here, that is, the water was “divided”.
I don't need to tell you how to get to Taksim Square, which is almost every road in Istanbul. Because no matter where you are in Istanbul; Taksim is a point where you can easily come by bus, subway, bus. The most remarkable point on the square is the Monument to the Republic. The monument, built in Italy in 1928, was moved here from Rome. On it are statues of names who made an important contribution to the Liberation War and the founding of the Republic of Turkey, especially Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Taksim Gezi Park is your only chance to throw yourself into the shade of a tree and breathe a little when you are overwhelmed by all these buildings.
Walking Istiklal Street from Taksim to Tünel is a must-have trip that everyone who steps into Istanbul does at least once. Istiklal Caddesi (Street), the most famous address dec the city, also stores many works in its alleys. For example, right behind the Consulate of France is the Surp Ohan Voskiperan Church. A wooden church was previously located on the site of this historic church, which was completed in 1863.
When you continue walking along Istiklal Street towards Tünel, you reach Çiçek Pasajı (Çiçek Passage). This passage, built by Grand Vizier Sait Pasha in 1905, received this name because it was filled with flower shops at that time. It is a stylish place that is one of the best examples of the charming architecture of the Istiklal. And inside it is a haunt of hangovers.
Despite the objections and demolition efforts of the Genoese, first Byzantium and then the Ottoman Empire, the Genoese tried hard to surround the neighborhood with walls. Although in a small amount, it is still possible to see these ruins. For this purpose, you can go down to Karakoy using the funicular line. If you prefer to walk, I suggest you follow the Bereketzade Madrasa Street, because you will come up to the stylish Kamondo Stairs, which is a very unknown but quite beautiful spot. Fatih Bazaar, located in Karakoy, is also a historical sunday spot and there are not many tourist things sold like that because it is still used for daily shopping. On the back street is the Genoese Court Building, the second most important building left by the Genoese after the Galata Tower. A few minutes' walk behind the Court House is the Arab Mosque. Don't be fooled by the name, while this building was actually a church, it was turned into a mosque in 1453, immediately after the conquest. Therefore, it is one of the rare mosques with Gothic architecture.
If you are going to use Karaköy Station on the way back, you can walk one more street in the other direction before going to the funicular and visit two more places here. The Underground Mosque located here, aka Kurşunlu Cellar, has an interesting history. 1500 years ago, there was a Byzantine tower here and it controlled the entrances and exits to the Golden Horn. It is assumed that one end of the chain that was stretched to the mouth of the Golden Horn during the Siege of Istanbul by Fatih was attached here. Its conversion into a mosque took place more or less three centuries ago. He got his second name because the locks on the door were found sealed with lead. First, the graves of two companions who were martyred when the Arab Army besieged Istanbul in 711 AD are also located here.
Speaking of very stylish and historical buildings, let's move on to Pera.
The Pera Museum, located on Meşrutiyet Street, which runs parallel to Istiklal Street, houses an impressive collection.
The works of Osman Hamdi, who I can call the most famous painter who came out of our country, are exhibited in this museum, especially the famous Turtle Tamer. Monday Sundays dec dec.12:00-18:00 and other days 10:00-19:00 can be visited at the museum, which is closed on Mondays. The entrance fee is 20 TL, but it is half the price for students. The museum card is not valid.