Audio GuideYıldız Park

Yıldız Park, located in the lively Beşiktaş area of Istanbul, is one of the city’s largest public green spaces and provides a peaceful break from the urban buzz. Centuries ago, this land was a wild forest during Byzantine times. When the city became part of the Ottoman Empire, it served as royal hunting grounds, set aside for sultans and their entourages seeking a quiet escape.

Yasser Al-Baghdadi

By the late nineteenth century, Yıldız Park had transformed into the heart of the imperial gardens of Yıldız Palace. The palace itself was built for Ottoman rulers who wished for a safe, private home away from the busy waterfront palaces. High walls once kept common people out, and only members of the palace could enjoy the rolling hills, flower-filled lawns, and winding pathways.

Gulgun Benek

As Istanbul changed, so did the park. In the early twentieth century, sections opened to the public. Today, Yıldız Park welcomes everyone, blending royal history with local life. Major pavilions like Çadır, Malta, and Şale, once used for feasts or as guesthouses, now host cozy cafés and elegant restaurants. Their architecture—arched windows, grand staircases, and tiled details—shares stories of a lavish past while offering warm hospitality for today’s visitors.

HASAN KIRMIZI

Strolling through the park, visitors can spot groves of oak, silver lime, magnolia, and horse-chestnut, with many plants brought from every corner of the world. Small lakes, charming bridges, and historic fountains reflect Ottoman artistry. One unique feature is the porcelain factory, which still produces ceramics with traditional designs, echoing the era when sultans cherished fine crafts.

malaa jazbah

Through decades of change, including restorations and shifts in management—from royal hands, to state leaders, and then to the city government—Yıldız Park has become a living museum. Here, Istanbul’s imperial legacy meets the joy of picnics, morning walks, and friendly conversation under the trees.