Istanbul has several universities. One of them had always taken my fancy because of its fine architecture at the entrance, and because of the glimpses of its park. It’s right in the heart of the old town, opposite the Beyazit mosque. It’s the Istanbul University. It turned out to be a fine complex, with some marvelous views on the Süleymaniye mosque as a bonus (most of them I transferred to the special gallery for that mosque).
Another one was recommended for viewing by Melek Emir who wrote most of the Turkish texts on this site. She suggested we’d go and visit it – the Bogaziçi Üniversitesi (Bosphorus University). This was a totally different concept, it made me think of American campus-style universities (which I only know from movies). Similar to the Istanbul University a bonus were the fine views of the Bosporus, which on this occasion I kept as an essential ingredient of the university.
I hope to visit some more universities in the future, for the time being I present just these two.
Istanbul University buildings that you took pictures of were actually buildings of Defense Ministry of Ottoman Empire. When the capital was moved to Ankara with the birth of republic, the buildings were turned into a university campus. Bogazici University, as you correctly guessed, is a former American school known as Robert College. Due to difficulties the school experienced, the ownership was passed to Republic of Turkey in early 1970's and subsequently renamed to Bogazici University. Istanbul Technical University has some buildings near Taksim area. I would recommend that you visit TASKISLA (a former military barrack during Ottoman Times). That is accross from HYATT hotel. In my times, it was a home to the department of architecture, civil and environmental engineering. Another one again owned by Istanbul Technical University is Macka Maden Fakultesi. You can see that one from TASKISLA. There is that Macka park in between. That one is an old building as well.
Great site. I visit and enjoy your pictures from time to time.
Thanks for your sharing pictures with us.
Regards.
Feyzi INANC
financ@msn.com
Kemal ciftci (Istanbul)
13-Feb-2009 15:56
Hi,
Thanks and congratulationse for preparings such a nice and helpful site.
Kemal ciftci (Istanbul)