Built on the Open Fields: From Zincirlikuyu to Levent

1. 01
   History

   See the Crown Prince’s Pavilion from Outside the School

   In 1884, three pavilions were built around a well here for Crown Prince Yusuf Izzeddin Efendi, son of Sultan Abdülaziz, together with pools and a greenhouse. After the crown prince died in 1916, the site became a school for war orphans in 1923. Today it is a vocational high school, and one of the pavilions serves as the administration building.

   Zincirlikuyu İSOV Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi, Büyükdere Cd. No:167, Şişli, İstanbul
2. 02
   Culture

   Enter the First Modern Cemetery Opened in the Fields

   When it opened in the mid-1930s, this cemetery stood outside the city on empty ridges and was established as Istanbul’s first modern cemetery. Today prime ministers, industrialists, writers, and actors are buried here. Apart from family graves, there is no space left, but the cemetery is still active.

   Zincirlikuyu Cemetery main entrance, Istanbul, Turkey
3. 03
   Exploration

   Pause in the District Named After a Farm

   Levent takes its name from a farm and barracks established here for the Nizam-ı Cedid soldiers, who trained in the European style during the reign of Selim III, with a castle built as their symbol. The location of that castle is unknown today. The word itself came from Italian and was used for sailor-soldiers.

   Levent Metro Station exit, Istanbul, Turkey
4. 04
   Art

   Look for the Mosaics Beneath the Air Conditioners

   In this planned neighborhood built on open land in the 1950s, artists including Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, Eren Eyüboğlu, Ferruh Başağa, Sabri Berkel, Nurullah Berk, and Ercüment Kalmık created mosaics on apartment facades. Some have disappeared, and some are hidden beneath air conditioners and signs. Nowhere does it say how many still survive.

   4. Levent neighborhood streets, Istanbul, Turkey

Check opening hours before you go. Hours, access conditions and weather can change.