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Taksim
Square is the heart of modern Istanbul,
laid out in the late 1800s near
a taksim (branching-point)
in the city's water distribution
system. You can still see the taksim
at the beginning of Istiklal Caddesi.
The Independence
Monument (Istiklal Aniti) in
the circle at the southern end
of the square commemorates the Turkish
Republic's founder, Kemal
Atatürk, in both his
roles, as military commander-in-chief
and as statesman.
The
open space to the north was once
a reservoir. Facing the square at
its northern end is the Atatürk
Cultural Center.
Cumhuriyet
Caddesi (Republic Avenue)
goes north from the square to the
upscale districts of Elmadag,
Harbiye, Nisantasi and Sisli.
Taksim
Park, to the west, was formerly
a huge Ottoman artillery
barracks. Across Cumhuriyet Caddesi
from it was the barracks parade
ground, called the Talimhane.
After World War II this large,
flat, open area was developed with
a grid of streets, and more recently
has seen the construction of more
than a dozen medium-size 4-star
hotels.
One
long block north of the square are
three of the city's best
luxury hotels, the Divan
Oteli, Ceylan
Inter-continental, and Hyatt
Regency Istanbul. The Istanbul
Hilton is a few blocks farther
north.
The
Marmara Hotel is right in Taksim
Square itself.
Istiklal
Caddesi, formerly the Grande
Rue de Péra, starts
in Taksim Square by the Independence
Monument and extends southwestward
to Galatasaray Square and Tünel
Square.
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