Taksim and Beyoğlu, two names used interchangeably and among the names to come to mind first when istanbul is menfioned, are in the heart of this metropolitancity of 12 million people.Settled at a later date than the southern part of the Golden Horn, records concerning the area around Taksim-Beyoğlu reach back as far as 500 years.The region came to be called Beyoğlu"the Lord's son" after the large mansion built in the 16th c., with the permission of Soleiman the Magnificent,by Aloisio Gritti, son of the Venetian Doge Andera Gritti, born and raised in Galata. Mansions belonging to representatives from European states began to be built here. Thus, Beyoğlu was transformed into one of the most prestigious areas in the city, where a European lifestyle became dominant. Beyoğlu's most important stree, originating at the top of Galata and winding through the row of consulates, was called the Cadde-i Kebir until the Republican era, at which time it was renamed İstiklal Caddesi. This street ends at the site of the water distribution centre constructed in the 18th century. Thus the square was named Taksim, which means distribution in Turkish. The environs and the regions further up from Taksim Square were replete with both Muslim and non-Muslim cemeteries until the late 19th century. Sultan Abdülmecid had the Balyans build a beautiful artillery barracks in Taksim in the 19th century. Considered an extension of the cannon foundry at Tophane, it was more ostentatious and sumptuous than other barracks. The building was rented by journalist Sait Çelebi in the 1920's, was transformed into a sports arena and was thus referred to as the Taksim Stadium. The Turkish National Soccer Team held their first match here against Romania ending in a tie. The first night-time match in Turkey was again held at this stadium. When the İnönü Stadium was constructed in Dolmabahçe in the 1940's. Taksim Stadium was built in its place. Taksim is the last stop for many bus and dolmuş lines and thus one of the major centres in İstanbul.

• Museums
• Shopping Centers
• Mosques
• Restaurants
• Night Clubs
• Palaces
• Bazaars
• Historic Areas
• Fortresses
• Towers