Beyoglu

Beyoglu

Beyoglu is a district located on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey, separated from the old city (historic peninsula of Constantinople) by the Golden Horn. It was known as Pera (meaning "Across" in Greek) during the Middle Ages, and this name remained in common use until the early 20th century and the establishment of the Turkish Republic.

The Turkish name of Pera, Beyoglu, is linked to the Venetian ambassadorial title of Bailo, whose palazzo was the most grandiose structure in this quarter. The informal Turkish-language title, BeyOglu (literally Son of Governor/Emir) was originally used by the Ottoman Turks to describe LodovicoGritti, son of Andrea Gritti who was the Venetian Bailo in Istanbul during the reign of Sultan Bayezid II (Andrea Gritti was later elected Doge of Venice in 1523, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.) BeyOglu thus meant "Son of the Bey (Doge) of Venice", referring to LodovicoGritti (alternatively known as AlviseGritti among the Venetians), who was born in Istanbul in 1480 and established close relations with the Sublime Porte, and whose mansion was located at the vicinity of the present-day Taksim Square. Located further south in Beyoglu and originally built in the early 16th century, the "Venetian Palace" was the seat of the Bailo. The original palace building was replaced by the existing one in 1781, which later became the "Italian Embassy" following Italy's unification in 1861, and the "Italian Consulate" in 1923, when Ankara became the capital of the Republic of Turkey.

Beyoglu is very famous with restaurants, old buildings, churches and historical bazaars and restaurants that you should definitely visit to Taksim & Beyoglu when you are travelling to turkey. Also, you can include in your istanbul itinerary with daily tours via travel agent in Istanbul.