Turkey Guide
İstanbul
Taksim Square
Address: At the northern end of İstiklâl Caddesi
Taksim in Turkish means "distribution" and the low stone reservoir on the south side is the building from which Taksim Square takes its name. Constructed in 1732 to distribute water brought from the Belgrade Forest by aqueduct, the taksim's octagonal annexe, located on the İstiklâl Caddesi side, has stone bird-houses above its door that are carved to look like miniature Ottoman houses.
Steps on the north side of the square above the main bus terminal lead up to the pleasant Taksim Parkı, with its bench-lined paths and open-air tea gardens. The rare occurrence of a park here – wholly untypical of traditional Islamic city planning – is a glorious relief after you've been grubbing around in the backstreets of the old quarters.
The Atatürk Cultural Centre is to the east of the square and is one of the leading venues for İstanbul's various international festivals. It is also home to the State Opera and Ballet, the Symphony Orchestra and the State Theatre Company (though tickets for anything worthwhile tend to sell out a long time in advance).