Gülhane Parkı
Istanbul
Gülhane Parkı is the large wooded park at the foot of Topkapı Palace. Once the sultans' garden, it has been open to everyone since 1912. It is one of the oldest public parks in the city.
The palace garden
For centuries this wood was the outer garden of Topkapı Palace, the home of the sultans. Contests, festivities and shows for the court were held here. High walls ran all around, and they still enclose the park today.
When the sultans moved to a more modern palace, the garden was neglected. In 1912 it became a public park, open to everyone.
What to see from outside
From the pavement of Alemdar Caddesi you can see the stone walls and the main entrance. A pavilion with many windows and a sloping roof juts out at the corner of the walls. Above the walls rise the crowns of very old trees.
Sunday in the park
Locals come to the park to walk in the shade, sit on a bench or drink tea. Children run on the lawns, and grandparents play backgammon, the city's favourite board game.
At the far end of the park, towards the sea, there is a viewpoint. From there you can see the Bosphorus meet the Sea of Marmara.
