Woods and Parks of Istanbul: Gülhane Park
Gülhâne Park, combining nature, culture and history in Istanbul, can be considered for a weekend trip. In addition to strolling in this park covered with trees on both sides, you can take a cultural trip in the museums and libraries situated within the park.
Gülhâne Park, which was used as the outer garden of Topkapı Palace during the Ottoman Era and whose name was inspired from its roses, was converted into a park and opened to public in 1912.
The fact that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk introduced the Latin letters on the blackboard to the public in the ceremony held in Gülhâne Park on November 24, 1928 indicates that the Park preserved its importance during the Republican period.
After a restoration process started by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 2001, the park was re-opened to the public in 2003 as the largest and most well maintained park on the Peninsula.
Gülhâne Park has two entrances: the gate on Gülhâne Alemdar Street and the gate in Sarayburnu. If you pass through the gate with two fountains on Alemdar Street, turning left will lead you to Gülhâne Park and the turning right will lead you to Istanbul Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Oriental Art and the Tiled Pavilion.
At the left hand side of the entrance of Gülhâne Park is the elegantly styled Topkapı Museum Parade Pavilion where the sultans used to watch the official parades. Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Museum Library is also situated in the pavilion. The stone ramp ascending to the mansion was built for the sultans to go to the gate of the mansion by horse.
As you walk through the park, you will see that both sides of the road are covered with trees, grass and flowers. On this route also there is on your left hand side the Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin and Prof. Dr. Ursula Sezgin History of Science Library associated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism inaugurated in 2017.
A bit further to the library there is the Islamic Science and Technology History Museum established by Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin, Islamic Science Historian and inaugurated on May 24, 2008, which is the first example of its kind in Turkey and the second in the world after Frankfurt, in terms of collections of instruments, device copies, mockups and models.
Towards the Sarayburnu exit of the park, there is a writing "Gülhane” under which you can take a souvenir photo. If you follow the ramp on the right hand side without leaving the park, you will see the Goths Column with a height of 15 meters.
After a visit to the museum and library, you can go back to the park and have a meal in the café located in the park. If you don't want to eat your food in the café , you can eat your food outside on the grass in the areas allowed by the park attendants.
You can walk to Gülhâne Park taking the tram line Kabataş - Bağcılar, Kabataş - Cevizlibağ, and getting off the tram at Gülhane stop or Sultanahmet stop.
If you come from the Asian or European side by Marmaray, after you get off at Sirkeci stop and can take the tram traveling in Bağcılar-Cevizlibağ direction, or take a 5-10 minute walk from Sirkeci to reach the park.
Passengers who wish to go to Gülhâne Park by sea can take the ferry or boat to Eminönü or Karaköy; and may then switch to the tram line.
