GALATASARAY - İSTİKLAL STREET

Leaving the Fish Market, as you join the crowd on istiklal again, you come across the grand entrance to Galatasaray Lisesi (Galatasaray High School).
Dating from the 15th century, this school held great significance for the Ottoman army.
In 1868, Galatasaray was established by Sultan Abdülaziz as a civilian educational institution, the "Mekteb-i Sultani" (Sultan's School).
The school has trained many well-known artists, musicians, writers, and politicians.
Galatasaray Football Club, which won the UEFA Cup and Super Cup in 2000, was also founded as an offshoot of Galatasaray High School.
Fransiz Sokağı (French Street) behind the high school, was established during the recent refurbishing efforts in Beyoğlu.
With its restaurants, art galleries, and shops, the street is influenced by French culture which, at one time, dominated Beyoğlu.
Another outstanding building on istiklal across from the high school is the Yapi Kredi Culture Center, presenting important international art and archeology exhibitions. Right beside the Yapi Kredi Center, stands the Misir Apartment with its impressive facade.
In the early 1900s, the Ottoman governor of Egypt, Abbas Halim Pasha, commissioned architect Hovsep Aznavuryan to build the Misir Apartment as his winter house.
The building is in the art nouveau style, more examples of which can be seen throughout Beyoglu.
Besides the family of the governor, who bore titles of prince and princess, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the writer of the Turkish national anthem, also lived in the building. Today art galleries, theatres, and restaurants operate there.
The Aznavur Passage, just across from the Yapi Kredi Culture Center, used to house clock and instrument stores, pool halls, and cafes during its first years in the late 19th century.
It is interesting that the stores within Aznavur Passage today continue with similar places. Here you can also find high quality, authentic Turkish handicrafts.
Also, in the Danisman Passage next to the building, there are hat shops, button shops, and tailors that have been around since 1871 when it was first opened.

Roof tops
Before leaving İstiklal, it is worth noting that the most stylish examples of attic and terrace restaurants, which have increased in number recently, are generally found in this area between Galatasaray and Tünel. Especially at sunset, looking down the street from these restaurants, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Bosphorus.

Galatasaray SK plays in Ali Sami Yen stadium in Mecidiyeköy, which can be readied by the Metro from Taksim Square.