Beyazıt Square, Istanbul

Beyazıt Square is found in the Fatih district of the European part of Istanbul, and is officially called Freedom Square. The more colloquial name – “Beyazıt Square” – comes after the Bayezid II Mosque which dominates the square on the one side. Another major local attraction is the majestic entrance to Istanbul University, the campus of which is a home to the Beyazıt Tower, also visible from the square. The history of the place started 1700 years ago as the site of the Forum of Theodosius built by Constantine the Great.

Today, Beyazit Square appears serene and it is quite hard to imagine that only a century ago it witnessed some truly tragic events, such as revolts and public executions (hanging of 20 Armenian activists – the so-called “20 Hunchakian gallows” – took place here on June 15, 1915).

Not so touristy and with only some low-end commerce going on, the square is nonetheless always lively, thanks to the abundance of the locals feeding countless pigeons, and the university students who give it a certain vibe. An ideal place for people watching, it is also close to some major tourist hotspots of Istanbul and, if you are a good walker, you can walk from Divanyolu via Beyazit Square and Ordu Caddesi to Aksaray. Sahaflar Çarşısı (the Old Book Bazaar) is close by, and the Grand Bazaar is not far off either.