Koc University Neighbourhood
Sariyer
Koc University is located right in the middle of the forest on the hill overlooking the Bosphorus strait (a natural water way dividing Europe and Asia) and the Black sea coast on the European side of one of the most antient cities of the world – Istanbul. The location allows to escape the bustle of the multimillion city so loved by tourists but is still relatively close to key historical sites and popular areas of the city. Actually, if you are not in a hurry, you can take a public ferry boat trip to the old town that will get you there within about an one hour and a half for a price as low as one dollar*. Sailing along the Bosphorus strait is by itself an amazing experience: you will pass by beautiful palaces, residences, magnificent mosques, and historical places while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee served right on a ferry boat. Also, there are many other public transportation options that can take you to the different areas of the city much faster than a boat. Istanbulkart, a fare payment card used for public transportation, offers you multiple affordable options for navigating the city, including subway, buses, trams, mini-buses, trains, funiculars, and even an undersea tunnel connecting the European and Asian sides of the city. With the recent opening of the ultramodern Istanbul airport (one of the largest in the world!), traveling to the university takes only about 40 minutes.
University has settled in Sariyer, one of the largest and oldest Istanbul areas that was known for fisherman villages many years ago, but is still famous for its amazing fish markets and restaurants that are spread all along the very long waterfront. One of the well-known restaurants of the area, Tarini Ali Baba, has been operating here since 1920. From the beginning of the twentieth century, Sariyer has attracted the attention of foreign embassies and wealthy locals that started building luxury residences and summer houses in the area. Especially famous are waterfront houses called by locals ‘yali.’ Some of them represent a historical heritage of the city and protected by the government. Since recently local celebrities also favor the area by purchasing newly build and renovated properties with amazing panoramic views.
The beautiful nature of Sariyer attracts many locals during the warm summer months and weekends all around the year. Massive green forest area, Black sea beaches, one of the longest waterfronts, parks, and the restaurants that offer fresh local cuisine are the favorite places of locals and guests to rest and recharge. There are few tourists that venture out to Sariyer, leaving the historical peninsula to the most of their kind. People of different faiths used to live in the area together in piece over the years which is witnessed in mosques, churches and synagogues build in the area. Two bridges over the Bosphorus straight connect Sariyer’s northern and southern parts with the Asian side of Istanbul: Yavus Sultan Selim bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge.
There are not many sightseeing options attractive to the visitors of Sariyer, but a few places should be definitely noted. Belgrade forest is perfect for lovers of active lifestyle. Emirgan park is a beautiful place famous for its annual Tulip Festivals that takes place in April or May. Rumeli Hisari, remains of an ancient fort built in the middle centuries that helped Turks to conquer Constantinople. Clean waters of Black sea’s Kylios beaches that attract lots of local residents especially in summers months. These are a few well known places in the area that worth a visit.
Some sources list Turkish cuisine among the three grand cousins of the world and it does not come as surprise since the Ottoman Empire lasted for about 600 years and controlled the spice routes of the world. This antient land that has been home for number of civilizations and known for the oldest human settlements has absorbed over these years the tastes and traditions of multiple cultures of the region. Some Turkish restaurants still serve dishes cooked using the antient recipes of the royal court of Osman dynasty that ruled since 1299 and ceased to exist only in 1923.
Photos: Unsplash
References:
https://moystambul.ru/rayoni-stambula/
https://istanbul-city.ru/2017/12/spisok-sezonnyih-produktov-turtsii-chto-i-kogda-pokupat.html
https://kvesisskaya.tourister.ru/photoalbum/24829
https://perito-burrito.com/posts/istanbul-sariyer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqHqv3bmH9w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQMb7OyBxWo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiKL36qODnI