Audio GuideAtaturk Arboretum

In the northern reaches of Istanbul, where the city’s bustle gives way to leafy peace, lies Atatürk Arboretumu. This living museum began as an idea in the late nineteen forties, born from the vision of Hayrettin Kayacık, a passionate forestry professor. He imagined a vast green oasis for scientific learning, nature lovers, and anyone seeking calm among trees and water.

Yulia Mısırlı

Over the years, Istanbul University’s Faculty of Forestry, alongside the national Directorate General of Forestry, shaped this ambition. In the early nineteen sixties, the careful design of Camille Guinet, an expert invited from Paris, mapped out the winding paths and roadways that now lead visitors beneath the shade of diverse canopies.

Meysam Tabrizi

Progress was slow, with funding difficult to secure, but the dream never faded. In the early nineteen eighties, Atatürk Arboretumu finally opened, named in honor of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He was the founder of modern Turkey and a symbol of renewal, marking his one hundredth birthday.

Mazhar Kuştepe

Today, spread over nearly three hundred hectares, the arboretum hosts over two thousand plant species, some rare and all identified by signs. Serene walkways pass tranquil ponds alive with swans, ducks, and turtles. The gentle songs of birds and rustling leaves fill the air.

Visitors will see a blend of nature and history, such as the early nineteenth-century dam, educational centers, observation towers, and research areas. It serves as both a scientific laboratory and a retreat for city dwellers, drawing students, families, and travelers alike to its scenic charm. Atatürk Arboretumu stands as a sanctuary where nature and culture thrive together, its legacy enriching Istanbul’s life for over seventy years.