Beyazıt Square

Welcome, scholars of the city, to Beyazıt Square, officially known as Freedom Square or Hürriyet Meydanı. To stand in the center of this vast, sprawling plaza is to stand upon one of the most historically dense pieces of real…

As we walk toward the edges of the modern square, particularly along the road leading toward Aksaray, direct your attention to the massive, fragmented blocks of marble lying somewhat incongruously near the street. These are the…

Turn your gaze to the commanding northern edge of the square. Rising dramatically is the monumental main entrance gate to Istanbul University. …

Let us shift our focus to the eastern side of the square, to the serene, harmonious structure of the Beyazıt II Mosque. Commissioned by Sultan Bayezid II, the son of Mehmed the Conqueror, and completed in 1506, this is a monument…

Step through the monumental stone gateway into the avlu, the inner courtyard of the Beyazıt Mosque. Instantly, the modern world recedes, replaced by an atmosphere of ancient tranquility. …

Exiting the courtyard of the mosque to its west, we pass through a small, unassuming archway into a leafy, shaded courtyard. Welcome to the Sahaflar Çarşısı, the historical Secondhand Book Bazaar. …

As we return to the expansive center of Beyazıt Square, we must confront its darker, more turbulent history. A space this large, located between the centers of religion and education, naturally becomes a stage for political…

As we conclude our exploration of Beyazıt Square, take a moment to stand still amidst the flowing crowds. This space is a masterpiece of historical layering. …