Besiktas (Turkish: Beşiktaş) is one of the municipalities of Istanbul, containing many upscale neighborhoods and Dolmabahce Palace. It is one of the most important and famous areas in Istanbul, and is located on the European side of it, overlooking the Bosphorus. Beşiktaş center is located between the Kabatas area and the famous Ortakoy area, and this area can be considered as the second center of Istanbul after the Taksim area. Its neighboring districts are Şişli and Beyoglu. This city also hosts the Turkish Besiktas Club, which plays in the Turkish First Division.
Although it is one of the small areas in Istanbul, both in terms of population and area, it contains many landmarks, the most important of which are the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which connects the European and Asian continents from both sides in Istanbul. It is considered an area with an increasing population density. Constantly, the population increases during the day several times compared to the population census due to the departments, colleges, and commercial centers on the Levent Maslak line. The region became an independent sector in 1930 after its separation from the Beyoğlu district, and its municipal council was established in 1984. It consists of 23 residential neighborhoods.
History of Beşiktaş region :
Beşiktaş has been known by many names throughout history, the main reason for this is that the area could not have been a permanent settlement until the advent of the Ottoman era. Therefore, they are named according to different events, structures or important landmarks.
According to a popular thesis among various historians and residents of Beşiktaş and supported by existing written sources, the original name of Besiktas is Besiktas. It is considered that the leader Khair ad-Din Barbaros, whose current name is rumored to be derived from the word “Five Stones” or “Five Stone Pillars” that he erected to connect His ships.
During the period of the Byzantine Empire in the 15th century, three important buildings were located on the shores of Beşiktaş, which are as follows: the Church of Michael Ayios, located in “Oaplos” (the source), “Ayios Mamas”, which was the summer residence of the Byzantine emperors, and the Fokas Monastery. The Church of Michael Iios was built by Emperor Constantine I (305-337).
Later Beşiktaş took on its identity as a residential area during the Ottoman period. Because during the Byzantine period, the Bosphorus Strait was attacked by Georgian marauders, especially from the Black Sea, and the destruction and fear they caused prevented the development of settlements with outer walls. Beşiktaş received the name of a settlement during the Ottoman period, largely due to the Ottoman Empire's control over the Black Sea.
As for the commander of Beşiktaş, Khairuddin Barbaros, he gained great importance, especially with regard to the navy. The area in which Beşiktaş was located was a bay suitable for use as a port at that time. Khair ad-Din Barbarossa used that bay to anchor Ottoman naval ships. In addition, he built a palace in the area and resided there when he was in Istanbul. He built a mosque and a children's school in his name in the same area. When he died in 1546, Barbarossa was buried in Beşiktaş.
The most important landmarks of the Beşiktaş :
- Yildiz Palace : In the seventeenth century, Beşiktaş Bay began to be filled, and this area was transformed into an organized area for the rest and entertainment of the Sultans. The group of palaces and sections that were previously built in this park in different periods was called “Beşiktaş Beach Palace” for a long time. Sultan Selim III was the first sultan to build Western-style buildings in this region. He built many buildings on the coast from Dolmabahçe to Ortakoy and expanded the existing buildings. The palace, built by the French engineer Meling for the Sultan's sister, Hatice Sultan, also gained great fame among the residents of Istanbul and the Europeans living in the city. Salim often enjoyed visiting his sister's palace. Sultan Mahmoud II was. Like Selim, he was very interested in the region's beaches. During his 31-year reign, although he officially resided in Topkapi Palace, he actually spent most of his time in various palaces and pavilions on the Beşiktaş coast. As he moved to the other side of the Golden Horn after that and settled in the region. Ibn Mahmoud Abdul Majeed built Dolmabahçe Palace and made residence in this palace official for all sultans after him. In addition to Dolmabahçe Palace, Yildiz Palace and Ciraganvi Palace, in which the sultans resided for a period, are located in the Beşiktaş region today. The Beşiktaş region also hosted the Ottoman throne until the collapse of the empire. On January 13, 1910, the first sports club in Turkey, Beşiktaş Gymnastics Club, was founded and remains one of the most famous sports institutions in the region.
- Dolmabahçe Sarayı - Palace : One of the most famous and largest palaces in Beşiktaş in Turkey dating back to the era of the Ottoman Caliphate. The importance of Dolmabahçe is due to its use for long periods as a headquarters for managing the internal and external affairs of the Caliphate, which means that your visit to it will not be limited only to contemplating its amazing architecture and its elegant interior designs and decorations derived from From the modern classical European style with an authentic Ottoman touch, or seeing the gold or gilded engravings and crystal chandeliers that decorate the lobby and its wings, but the matter may extend to viewing some historical documents related to the ancient Ottoman Empire. A few steps away, you can also visit the famous Dolmabahçe Clock Tower.
- Hamidiye Yildiz Mosque : The second most important historical landmark in Istanbul, Beşiktaş , dating back to the year 1880 when the city was under the rule and administration of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The mosque is distinguished by its length, its single minaret, and its beautifully designed ceilings and walls, all of which are decorated with Ottoman carvings, dominated by blue, in addition to its many rooms decorated with gold carvings, where the Sultan used to hold his prayers and receive ambassadors from foreign countries.
- Sinan Pasha Mosque : It is one of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the Beşiktaş area of Istanbul. Why not, since it bears the name of the most creative, innovative and famous Ottoman architects in their field. Sinan Mosque is distinguished by its two central domes, its columns, its hexagonal arches, and the elaborate blue and gold decorations that adorn its interior, along with the stained glass windows, in addition to the glass ablution fountain in the courtyard, which is shaded by marble canopies that preserve the purity and cleanliness of its water and protect it from pollution.
- Istanbul Navy Museum : It is one of the most important and oldest landmarks of Beşiktaş Istanbul, as it is more than a century old. The importance of visiting it lies in seeing the most important historical documents and real or stereo models of ships, war cannons, and navigational tools that the Ottoman sultans used during their wars, while attending photo exhibitions. Audio-visual materials that explain the most important naval battles in the history of the Ottoman Empire make you feel as if you are actually attending them.
Educational services in Besiktas : The region is characterized by the presence of a large number of Turkish and international government schools for all age groups and stages, but what distinguishes the Besiktas region most is the presence of a large number of Turkish universities ranked among the best universities in Europe, as there are :
- Boğaziçi University
- Galatasaray University
- Yildiz Technical University
- Bahcesehir University
- In addition to many international non-Turkish speaking schools and institutes, including the British International School in Besiktas.
Health services in Beşiktaş :
There are many government and private hospitals equipped with the best medical equipment and the most skilled medical staff in the region. These hospitals are distributed among the upscale neighborhoods, in addition to the presence of a large number of medical centers. Among the most famous hospitals are :
- Said Çiftçi Hospital
- Acıbadem Hospital
- Donia Gouz Hospital
Shopping inBeşiktaş :
- Beşiktaş Market : Beşiktaş Istanbul Market is one of the most famous tourist and marketing destinations in the city of Istanbul. Beşiktaş Market is characterized by containing many shops and stores, in which the finest and best types of products are available, whether they are clothes of all kinds or vegetables and meat, in addition to some leather and handmade products. The market includes some stores dedicated to selling the finest types of perfumes and incense, in addition to some accessories and cosmetics.
- Sinan Pasha Market, Istanbul : It is one of the most famous markets in Beşiktaş, and it is also one of the cheapest markets in the city of Istanbul. Sinan Pasha Market includes more than 200 stores. Inside these stores, it contains a variety of clothes, accessories, and some jewelry that is sold at acceptable prices compared to the rest of the market. Markets, which is why many visitors come here to buy their needs at the cheapest prices and with the finest materials.
- Zorlu Mall Istanbul : Zorlu Mall Istanbul is considered one of the most famous malls in Beşiktaş and Istanbul as a whole, as it is distinguished by its wonderful geographical location as it is located in the commercial area in the European section of Istanbul. The mall is also famous for its combination of shopping centers and entertaining entertainment activities, as the mall consists of 5 floors and also contains... The mall has approximately 200 commercial stores to display a variety of international and Turkish goods. The mall has also allocated several places for fun and entertainment, such as electric games, cinema halls, and other entertainment activities.
- Metro City Mall Besiktas Istanbul : Metro City Mall Beşiktaş Istanbul is known as one of the most wonderful malls of Beşiktaş, as Metro City Mall is admired by many visitors. There you will find an endless variety of stores, which specialize in selling the most famous international brands, whether Clothes or leather products such as shoes and bags, as well as accessories and jewelry.
Transportation in the Beşiktaş area :
- Metro : There is more than one metro line in the Beşiktaş area linking it to the rest of the metro stations in Istanbul.
- Metrobus : One of the most famous and fastest means of transportation in Istanbul. It connects its Asian and European parts and operates around the clock.
- Tramway : It runs from the Kabatas side to the Bagcilar area, passing through the Eminonu, Sultanahmet, and Hagia Sophia areas.
- Sea ferries : They connect the Besiktas region to the rest of the European and Asian regions and represent a wonderful experience for tourists and city residents as well.
- Government transport buses : which connect all parts of the Besiktas region with the rest of the surrounding areas.
The importance of housing and investment in the Beşiktaş region :
- It is known as the most beautiful spot in the Bosphorus Strait.
- It contains many tourist attractions.
- It forms a bridge between old Istanbul and the Bosphorus Strait and its surroundings.
- It is one of the most prominent areas of Istanbul.
- It is easily accessible due to the presence of subway lines, sea ferries, and public transportation buses.
- It is considered the second most important tourist destination in Istanbul after Taksim.
- The Beşiktaş area contains many public and private schools, universities, and hospitals.
- One of Istanbul's distinctive areas, as it contains a large group of Ottoman palaces, museums, gardens, mosques, and markets.
An area like this must be a hearty meal for investors, especially as it is becoming more developed day after day.
05-03-2024 
