Beyazit Square

Square of History and Knowledge: Beyazit Square

In the heart of Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula, connecting the main gate of Istanbul University with the entrance of the Grand Bazaar, Beyazit Square is a multi-layered history center carrying both the academic and commercial memory of the city. The magnificent Beyazit Mosque located at one end of the square and the famous historical gate of Istanbul University at the other end have made this place the center of knowledge, trade, and social mobility for centuries. Beyazit Square also hosts the Booksellers’ Bazaar (Sahaflar Carsisi) symbolizing Istanbul’s intellectual past, creating a separate attraction point for book enthusiasts. Touring the square is like walking in the corridors of history extending from Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire and from there to the Republic. Its lively structure, historical texture around it, and the trade culture offered by the Grand Bazaar make this one of the most characteristic squares of the city. This is not just a transportation point; it is the reflection of a deep-rooted past where the pulse of science and trade of Istanbul beats today. Harboring another memory in every corner, Beyazit is a unique square where both local people and tourists spend time intertwined with history.

Highlights of Beyazit Square

• Heart of Academic and Historical Texture: The intersection point of science and history, surrounded by Istanbul University’s historical gate and Beyazit Mosque.
• Commercial and Cultural Heritage: The center of the city’s trade and book culture by hosting the entrance gate to the Grand Bazaar and the historical Booksellers’ Bazaar.
• Multi-Layered History: An open-air museum where you can encounter the traces of history at every step, harboring historical layers extending from Byzantium to the present day.