Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Grand open space
- Istanbul's principal meeting place
Time required: 15 minutes
Public transport:
- Tram Line T1: Beyazit stop
Address: Beyazit Square
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: Ricardo Barquín Molero
Things you need to know:
- Beyazit Square is a spacious square next to the Grand Bazaar. Officially it is called Hürriyet Meydanı, meaning "Freedom Square"
- The square used to be Istanbul's main meeting place for centuries. It stands on the site of the ancient Roman Forum Tauri
- The gate between two Turkish flags is the main entrance of the University of Istanbul. The university campus was built as the Ottoman War Ministery, hence its fortress-like appearance
- The mosque is called Bayezid II Mosque commissioned by Sultan Bayezid II. It was the second largest imperial mosque erected after the conquest of Constantinople
What to do there:
- Walking towards the Grand Bazaar take a look at the impressive Beyazıt Mosque and Istanbul University's main gate
