Taksim Square (Turkish: Taksim Meydanı), situated in the European part of Istanbul, Turkey, is a major shopping, tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops and hotels.
Taksim Square, it is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, with the central station of the Istanbul Metro network, on a normal day, Taksim Square is a mess of buses and crowds, a tangle of plazas, streets, shops and taxi horns.Istanbul Taksim Square is also the location of the Monument of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Anıtı) which was crafted by Pietro Canonica and inaugurated in 1928. The monument commemorates the 5th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, following the Turkish War of Independence.
History
The word Taksim means “division” or “distribution“. The Taksim square was originally the point where the main water lines from the north of Istanbul were collected and branched off to other parts of the city. This use for the area was established by Sultan Mahmud I. The square takes its name from the Ottoman era stone reservoir which is located in this area. Additionally, the word “Taksim” can refer to a special improvisational musical form in Turkish classical music that is guided by the Makam system. Another significant building that once stood on the square was the 19th century Taksim Artillery Barracks (Taksim Topçu Kışlası, which later became the Taksim Stadium), but it was demolished in 1940 during the construction works of the Taksim Gezi Parkı.
Today
Taksim is a main transportation hub and a popular destination for both tourists and the native population of Istanbul. Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), a long pedestrian shopping street, ends at this square, and a nostalgic tram runs from the square along the avenue, ending near the Tunnel (1875) which is the world’s second-oldest subway line after London’s Underground (1863). Surrounding Taksim Square are numerous travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, pubs, and international fast food chains such as Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Subway, and Burger King. It is also home to some of Istanbul’s grandest hotels including the InterContinental, the Ritz-Carlton, Hilton and The Marmara Hotel.
Taksim is also a favourite location for public events such as parades, New Year celebrations, or other social gatherings.
Taksim Square, Istanbul
Amazing clubs at this place. You will love it. Best place to visit day and night. New year's eve here is celebrated by everyone. You might also find your love here as I did.
lot of people, living area every moment expecting some thing new to happen. great park there nearby, lot of bars and restaurants all over it
A trip to Istanbul cannot be complete without visiting the Taksim Square. Definitely one of the most liveliest of places in the whole of Istanbul. The square itself is a monument and there isnt a single tourist who doesnt have a picture with this monument.
in taksim square there is (estiqlal street) very famous for its shops. it also has resturants and cafes. you can move alnog that street with a tramp (small one) from one end to another.
if your are looking for shopping i would say start there….before hitting the big malls.
too crowded but maybe because of the holidays. locals doesn't understand english. long walk from the station. a lot of restaurant & hotel choices.
There is tons to see and do here. It's a bit overwhelming but fun. It's a lot of the same stores over and over again with fast food chains and sit down restaurants interspersed among the clothing stores and other various venues.
I have travel to many busy cities all over the world, Taksim Square is definitely one of the most busy area with so many friendly people that I have never seem. There are many shops and eating spots along the road. You can even find many people or small bands playing music.
Obviously a important place in Istanbul which has been in the news. I highly recommend you visit. You can look down several streets which offer many nice stores or restaurants.
There are places that you feel like standing on the center of the world. Taksim makes you feel like that. Itis a place living 24 hours and maturing with it. Every hour of the day it is changing. If you do not visit Taksim square, your Istanbul visit will be absent. Art, history, good food, people, night life..
Great place for party and entertainment, but are very very overcrowded during the weekends. I was in Istanbul 3 times and anytime I went to eat and drink on Taksim, there were at least one demonstration of Turkish communist party (but nothing big, just few hundred of peaceful people). There are many nice caffees and pastries, I can really recommend…