Istiklal Caddesi and Taksim Square
Beyoglu District, Republic Monument, Istiklal Avenue


Istiklal Caddesi in the Beyoglu district is a very long, 1.4 km, pedestrian street and main shopping street of Istanbul where most important events take place. It features historical Ottoman buildings in different styles, red trams, music stores, boutiques, the flower passage, restaurants, cinemas, galleries etc. It starts in the Karaköy and ends at Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul. Taksim Square is a hub for communications, with the main metro station, a center for demonstrations and some highrise hotels. The Republic Monument is situated there. This part of Istanbul is located North of the Golden Horn, connected with the historical area via the Galata Bridge.

When we visited Taksim Square, we witnessed demonstrations and very aggressive policemen. We also had to flee, as we sut at the monument, but suddenly the policemen came towards the peaceful demonstrators, and the tourists! On 28 Mauy 2013 the demonstrations culminated and spread all over Turkey. It begun as a protest towards replacing a park, Taksim Gezi Park, with a shopping mall.
ISTIKLAL CADDESI:
Istiklal Caddesi and its historical tram. The avenue was restored during the late 1980s/early 90s.
 


Swedish Consolate
Istiklal Caddesi   Swedish Consolate
 
Historical tram at a very crowded Istiklal Caddesi
 


Istiklal Avenue
Political messages at a historic building on Istiklal   Side street
 
Istiklal Caddesi is the main shopping street of central Istanbul on the European side.
 





Istiklal Caddesi    

 

TAKSIM SQUARE (TAKSIM MEYDANI):
Republic Monument
 


Taksim Square
Taksim Square with the Marmara Hotel   Taksim Square
 
Demonstrations at Taksim Square. In the background is the Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel and the Republic Monument
 





Demonstations at the 11m high Republic Monument, Taksim Square
The Turkish policemen can be very dangerous! 		  Republic Monument was unveiled in 1928 to commemorate the formation of the Turkish republic in 1923. It portrays the founders of Turkey, including Atatürk.
 


Armed police truck! Beware!
Demonstations with violent policemen at the Republic Monument, Taksim Square. We had to flee to not be attacked! We were just visiting the monument as tourists.   Funiculare metro

 

BEYOGLU - SIDE STREETS NEAR ISTIKLAL CADDESI:
 

 



Hilly side streets
Picturesque hilly street to Istiklal