Yıldız

Yıldız (literally "a star" in Turkish) is a neighbourhood located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey. The neighbourhood comprises some of Istanbul's well-known historical locations, such as Yıldız Park and Yıldız Palace, the second largest palace in Istanbul. Yıldız has a population of approximately 6,000.

History

The area of Yıldız used to be a coniferous forest in Byzantine times. Starting during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, the sultans made it their hunting grounds. In the next centuries, it remained as a grove behind the seaside palaces. The neighbourhood began to flourish in the wake of construction of the palace in the 19th century. It took its name from the first pavilion, namely Yıldız Kasrı, commissioned by Selim III in early 19th century.

The area was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for the last 30 years, during the era of Abdul Hamid II.

Places to see

The biggest part of the palace gardens, some old pavilions and the famous porcelain workshops are open to the public in what is now called the Yıldız Park. The well-known pavilion in the complex, the Şale Köşkü or Chalet Pavilion, is accessed through the park.

Today a considerable part of the neighbourhood's area is occupied by the old palace complex, which contains the main palace buildings, Yıldız Park, Yıldız Mosque and Yıldız Clock Tower as well as Yıldız Technical University.

ee also

* Beşiktaş
* Yıldız Palace
* Yıldız Park
* Yıldız Clock Tower
* Yıldız Technical University

References and links

* [http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/KenteBakis/ Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul]
* [http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=359 Governorship of Istanbul]

External links