The Site at Taksim Square

About Taksim.

Istanbul’s area of Taksim full of life and energy and is considered the heart of modern Istanbul. In Arabic 'taksim' means 'distribution.' Originally established in the 18^th century, Takism was built to house the stone water reservoir to collect water from the north with the main water lines and distributed to other parts of the city. At the top of Taksim is Taksim Square with the Independence Monument depicting Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. It begins the pedestrian, and tramway accessible, Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), with its restaurants, bars, cafes and shops, culminates at. It is a popular location for parades and New Year celebrations, social gatherings and as a meeting place. The square is also known for political riots and demonstrations.

The Republic Monument, Cumhuriyet Aniti, was built in 1928 to commemorate the formation of the Turkish Republic. There was also a military site built in the 19th century but was apparently destroyed in the 1940s. Opposite the Independence Monument is the Ataturk Cultural Centre (Ataturk Kultur Merkezi) which houses the national opera company, ballet company and symphony. It is still ferociously despised among the locals and was rebuilt after having burned to the ground in the late 1960s.

Since its inauguration Taksim Square is synonymous with political demonstrations as well as mass gatherings. People gather here for New Year's Eve, Republic Day celebrations, Istanbul's Annual Gay Pride and when important football matches are screened. Several significant events have left emotional scars on Taksim Square. 

- February 16, 1969 'Bloody Sunday' 150 demonstrators injured during leftist demonstrators and right-wing groups.

- May 1, 1977 'Taksim Square Massacre' 36 demonstrators were killed during Labour Day demonstrations.

- In 2000, football riots 2 Leeds United fans were stabbed to death during clashed with Galatasaray fans.

- October 31, 2010 Suicide bomb killed the bomber, injured 15 police officers and 17 civilians by a Kurdish organization fighting for freedom of the Kurds in Turkey.

Taksim is also the major transportation hub of Istanbul for the underground metro, the municipal buses and private minibuses and the funicular which connects Taksim to the Kabatas tramway and Kabatas seaport. Taksim is the collection and distribution point throughout Istanbul. During the day the retro-inspired tram takes pedestrians to the top of the Tunel tramway to connect with the seaport at Karakoy. At night the streets of Taksim flow yellow with taxi cabs until daylight breaks taking the last of the party scene away. 

District of Beyoglu

Originally know as Pera (meaning 'across' in Greek) because it was separated from the historic peninsula of Constantinople by the Golden Horn. It was renamed Beyoglu, by Ottoman Turks to mean son of Bey, referring to the Venetian Bailo (bailiff) in Istanbul during the 16th century. Beyoglu includes Galata, the medieval Genoese citadel from which Beyoglu itself originated, which today is known as Karakoy and maintains a direct link to the old city center across the Galata Bridge and Unkapani Bridge.

Beyoglu was once the most progressive community in Istanbul, the first to install telephone lines, electricity, trams, and the underground railway. Taksim used to be the financial center of the Ottoman Empire and part of its banking district still remains in Karakoy. This initial wave of modernization gradually slowed down and Beyolu struggled with economic and social decline throughout the second half of the 20^th century. As such Taksim maintains a very cosmopolitan air. Many consulates remain in the area and people of various cultures live in the neighboring areas of Cihangir and Gumussuyu.

Located in Beyoglu is the largest Catholic Church in Turkey S. Antonio di Padova, the largest synagogue in Turkey, the Neve Shalom Synagogue, the seat of the Catholic Archeparchy of Diyarbakir, the Orthodox church Hagia Triada Church and the only Jewish Museum of Turkey. Several Sufi orders were founded in Beyoglu.