Taksim Square (Turkish name: Taksim Meydanı) is one of the major central squares of Istanbul, which is a popular place among tourists and locals.
The name of the square and the word "Taksim" in Arabic means "division" or "distribution". This is because the square was originally a place of concentration of water conduits (there was a stone reservoir), which stretched to the main areas of the city. This usage for the area was created by Sultan Mahmud I.
Also on the site of the square was the Armenian cemetery "Surb Hakob" (Saint Hakob), founded in the 16th century during the time of Sultan Suleiman I, and the artillery barracks of Taksim of the 19th century, the courtyard of which was used as a football field in the 1920s and 1930s. These objects were demolished in 1940 during construction work in accordance with the plans of the French architect and urban planner Henri Prost for Taksim Square and Taksim Gezi Park.
Today Taksim Square is the main transport hub of the city, as well as a walking area with some significant attractions.
The center of Taksim Square is decorated with an 11-meter monument of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Anıtı), designed by Italian architect Pietro Canonica and opened on August 8, 1928.
The monument was erected in memory of the formation of the Turkish Republic.
The monument depicts the founders of the Turkish Republic: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Mustafa Ismet Inenyu and Fevzi Chakmak.
In the group on the south side of the monument near the central figure of Ataturk there are sculptures by Kliment Voroshilov and Semyon Aralov. The inclusion of these persons in the sculptural composition was carried out on the instructions of Ataturk as a sign of gratitude for the political, military and financial assistance provided by Soviet Russia in the cause of Turkey's independence in 1923.
Also notable on the square is the Taksim Mosque (Taksim Camii), erected in 2017-2021, although the plan of the mosque on Taksim Square has been developed since 1952.
The square is surrounded by modern and historical (19th century) buildings, including the Ataturk Cultural Center (Ataturk Kültür Merkezi), 5-star hotel The Marmara Taksim with terrace with outdoor pool, 4-star CVK Taksim Hotel Istanbul with panoramic restaurant and others accommodation facilities
Also around the area there are cafes and restaurants, including the famous dessert cafe with delicious baklava "Hafiz Mustafa 1864" (Hafız Mustafa 1864 Meydan), the currency exchangers, shops and visible Orthodox Holy Trinity Church with two bell towers, which is the largest Greek temple in the city and the first domed Church, whose construction was permitted in the Ottoman Constantinople.
Taksim Gezi Park is adjacent to Taksim Square.
Among other things, Taksim Square is a major transport hub of Istanbul. Public bus stops are located here, there are metro stations, the F1 funicular "Taksim-Kabataş" and buses running from/to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport stop (Flights to Istanbul →).
Taksim Square can also be reached by taking a tour on the Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off tour bus (there are tickets for 1, 2 or 3 days).
Tickets for the Istanbul sightseeing bus can be purchased here →
From Taksim Square towards the Golden Horn stretches the famous pedestrian and shopping street of Istanbul - Istiklal (Independence, Istiklal Caddesi), along which runs historical red retro tram "Nostalgia". Learn more about Istiklal Street and the tram...
Practical information
Taksim Square is located on the European side of Istanbul, in the new part of the city relative to the Golden Horn, in the Beyoğlu district.
Coordinates of Taksim Square: 41°02'13.0"N 28°59'06.0"E (41.036944, 28.985000).
You can also visit Taksim Square with one of the excursions in Istanbul
All accommodation facilities in Istanbul, including near Taksim Square, in the historical center, on the European and Asian sides of the city, can be viewed and booked here
