Every season of Istanbul is beautiful, but spring is different… Spring is the season when purple wisteria and judas trees bloom and blue and green spread throughout the city. We’re not the only ones saying this. Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar, one of the valuable names of Turkish literature, also talks about Istanbul and its fascinating spring in his book titled ‘Five Cities’; ‘It is born every spring on the horizon of our cities, drunk and colorful like a Dionyssian dream. As if to let you know that the world has changed again and that nature has woken up from its heavy sleep, it adorns everywhere with its rich, revelry and sings the song of spring. There is a judas tree standing out alone among the ruined walls of Manavkadı Mosque, a small mosque on the walls of Istanbul that looks like a broken piece of a very old morning call to prayer, that has been visiting once every spring since the day they showed it to me, giving the feeling of being gathered in the mornings of this city. I would watch the sleepy-eyed lamps. Among the ruined and neglected relics of the past and the dead sleeping around it, this Judas tree is for me a symbol of an eternal desire, an ever-renewing flow of life, and this can be felt greatly from its soft stance dominating the landscape…’
Let’s create a wonderful travel route in Istanbul this spring, as impressive as the Judas trees and purple wisteria!
1. Kuzguncuk
Kuzguncuk, once known as Kosinitza, is one of the first residential areas of Istanbul. In fact, according to many sources, it is rumored that its old name was “Hrisokeramos”, meaning “Golden Tile”, and that this name came from a church whose roof was covered with gilded tiles. Known as the tolerance district of Istanbul, Kuzguncuk has hosted many important names such as Ali Fuat Cebesoy and also hosted a valuable guest such as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This district, which preserves its historical structure, is a breathtaking Bosphorus district with its wooden houses, waterside mansions, huge plane trees and fertile orchards. Although it is slowly starting to lose its former residents, it is remembered as a district where people of different beliefs have lived together in peace and tranquility for centuries. As Nazım Hikmet, who spent his childhood in Kuzguncuk because of his aunt Sare Hanım, said, “… But Kuzguncuk is a cute place.” As the spring blanket begins to cover all of Istanbul, Istanbul can be a pleasant starting point for travel steps.
2. Kanlıca
Let’s continue our travel steps through the historical Bosphorus districts of Istanbul. There are many legends about the name of Kanlıca, famous for its Mihrabad Grove, one of the greenest places on the Anatolian side, but the most striking of them may be a great reason to turn your travel steps there! According to legend, one of the Ottoman Sultans wanted to find the district with the cleanest air in Istanbul. Some conditions suitable for that period were determined and as a result of these conditions, Kanlıca came first with a large margin. Later, the Ottoman Sultan named this district Kanlıca. Kanlıca, famous for its calmness, side streets, history and yoghurt, is ideal for pleasant sightseeing steps.
3. Emirgan
A short sea break on the tour steps by ferry or motorbike from Kanlıca! Emirgan, known as Kiparodis, meaning “Cypresses”, during the Byzantine period; It is a route that deserves sightseeing steps with its groves, waterside mansions, and historical plane trees that defy the years. Emirgan, famous for its tulips as well as its historical plane trees, is named after Sultan IV. It is named after Emir Güne Khan, an Iranian nobleman who was brought to Istanbul by Murad. As Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar mentioned about Emirgan, which has the most inviting square, in his novel Huzur, “Let’s go to Emirgan Grove early in the morning. “It is very beautiful when the trees wake up shivering.”
4. Gülhane Park
In Gülhane Park, where both sides are covered with trees and nature and history are intertwined, there are Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Museum Library, Islamic Science and Technology History Museum, Topkapı Palace and Istanbul Archeology Museum. Gülhane Park, whose history dates back to the Byzantine Period, became the garden of Topkapı Palace during the Ottoman Period. It is said that Nazım Hikmet wrote his poem “Walnut Tree” here and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk received the title of head teacher here. It should definitely be on the list of travel steps with its breathtaking Bosphorus view and history-filled walking route!
5. Galata Tower
With the help of tram and tunnel, the travel steps are heading towards Galata this time. Galata Tower, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List, was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 507 – 508 AD. Its current version was built by the Genoese in 1348. The tower, which adds a mystical atmosphere to Galata with its stone masonry, is actually a watchtower. Along with the legend of Hezarfen Galata Tower, this mysterious watchtower has another story. “According to legend, Galata Tower and Maiden’s Tower are in love with each other, but the Bosphorus prevents the lovers from meeting each other. When Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi climbs the tower to realize his dream of flying, Galata Tower whispers his love for the Maiden’s Tower into his ear. With the wind of Istanbul behind him, Hezarfen delivers the message to the Maiden’s Tower. These two places, which can share their love with each other, create the most beautiful view of Istanbul.
