Bağcılar, Turkey
Region: Istanbul
Geographic Coordinates: 41.034400, 28.856400
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 30.0°C (50°F to 86°F)
Population: 734369
Language: Turkish
Bağcılar is a district situated on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. It has a population of over 700, 000 people and is one of the most densely populated districts in Istanbul. The district has undergone significant development in recent years and is now a crucial hub for business and commerce. Bağcılar offers several large shopping malls such as the Mall of Istanbul and Capacity Shopping Center that provide both international and local Turkish brands. The district also has several markets where locals can purchase fresh produce and traditional Turkish goods.
The Atatürk Olympic Stadium is one of Bağcılar’s most notable landmarks that can hold up to 76, 000 spectators. It has hosted various major sporting events like international football matches and concerts. Bağcılar also boasts numerous green spaces such as Güneşli Park where locals can relax or exercise outdoors with walking paths, Playgrounds for children, And picnic areas. Transportation in Bağcılar is well-connected to other parts of Istanbul through its metro station which connects to both Marmaray (underground railway) lines as well as tramway lines that run across central Istanbul.
The district holds a rich cultural heritage with various historic sites worth visiting like Yarımburgaz Cave dating back to prehistoric times; Kocasinan Cultural Center hosting various exhibitions; Sancaktepe Mosque known for its beautiful architecture; Hacı Hasan Mosque famous for its Ottoman style architecture; Zeyrek Mosque recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site status due to its Byzantine mosaics & frescoes dating back from 12th century AD. Overall Bağcılar offers visitors an interesting blend of modernity with historical significance making it one of the most vibrant and exciting districts in Istanbul.
- Atatürk Olympic Stadium – This stadium was built for the Mediterranean Games held in 1971 and has since hosted various sporting events.
- Bağcılar City Park – A large park with many amenities such as walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Marmara Forum Shopping Mall – One of the largest shopping centers in Istanbul with over 300 stores.
- Güneşli Park – A beautiful park with a lake where visitors can rent paddle boats or enjoy a picnic.
- İstanbul Aydın University – A private university located in Bağcılar known for its modern architecture and academic programs.
- Kemerburgaz Forest Reserve – Located just outside of Bağcılar, this nature reserve offers hiking trails and scenic views of the surrounding forested hillsides.
- Koca Sinan Camii Mosque – An impressive mosque built during Ottoman times that features intricate tile work and calligraphy on its facade.
- Akvaryum Istanbul – An aquarium located within the Forum Istanbul shopping mall featuring over 10,000 sea creatures from around the world.
- Bağcılar is a district in Istanbul, Turkey that was established in 1992.
- As a result, there are no significant historical events associated with the area before its establishment.
- Notable people who were born or lived in Bağcılar include:
- Yusufeli Karadeniz, a Turkish footballer
- Ahmet Kaya, a Kurdish singer-songwriter
- Mehmet Ali Aydınlar, a businessman and former chairman of the Turkish Football Federation
- Mustafa Sarıkaya, a politician from the Justice and Development Party who served as mayor from 2009 to 2019
- Niyazi Erdoğan, founder of Erdoğan Hospital which is one of the largest hospitals in Istanbul located in Bağcılar
- İbrahim Çolak, an accomplished Turkish gymnast who won gold medals at several international competitions including European Championships and Mediterranean Games
- Hüseyin Çelik, former minister of culture&tourism who used to live in Bagçilar during his youth years
- Bağcılar Culture and Art Center: This center hosts a variety of events, including art exhibitions, theater performances, concerts, and workshops.
- Bağcılar Municipal Museum: This museum showcases the history and culture of Bağcılar through artifacts, photographs, and documents.
- Atatürk Monument: This monument is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
- Fatih Mosque: This mosque is one of the largest in Istanbul and features stunning Ottoman architecture.
- Küçükçekmece Lake: This beautiful lake offers scenic views and recreational activities such as boating and fishing.
- Istanbul Aquarium: Located in nearby Florya, this aquarium features over 1500 species of marine life from around the world.
- Mall of Istanbul: One of the largest shopping centers in Turkey with over 350 stores, restaurants, cinemas, and entertainment options.
- CNR Expo Center: Hosts a variety of trade shows and exhibitions throughout the year showcasing products from various industries such as textiles, furniture, electronics etc.
- İstanbul Aydın University Campus: One can visit this campus which houses several faculties including engineering, law, business administration etc.
- Medipol Mega Hospital Complex: A state-of-the-art hospital complex that offers a wide range of medical services to patients.
- Bağcılar Spor Kulübü
- Bağcılar Belediyespor
- İstanbul Gençlerbirliği SK
- İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor
These teams promote physical activity and healthy competition among young people living within the district. While they may not have extensive histories or large followings compared to some of Turkey’s more prominent teams like Galatasaray or Fenerbahçe, they still play an essential role within their local communities.
- The Bağcılar Culture and Art Festival is an annual event that highlights the region’s cultural heritage through music, dance, theater, and exhibitions.
- The International Istanbul Puppet Festival showcases puppet shows from around the world in various venues across Istanbul, including Bağcılar.
- The International Children’s Theater Festival promotes children’s theater by featuring performances from local and international groups. It is held annually in different parts of Istanbul, including Bağcılar.
- During Ramadan, Bağcılar hosts a variety of cultural events such as food bazaars, music concerts, religious ceremonies, and traditional Turkish entertainment.
- Victory Day Celebrations take place on August 30th every year to commemorate Turkey’s victory over Greek forces during the War of Independence. In Bağcılar, there are parades and fireworks displays to mark this important day.
- National Sovereignty and Children’s Day Celebrations occur on April 23rd each year with events for children like parades, concerts, plays organized across cities including Bagçilar.
- The Bağcılar Book Fair brings together publishers from all over Turkey annually to showcase their latest publications on a range of topics from literature to science fiction.
Note: These festivals may or may not be held every year due to various factors such as funding availability or pandemic restrictions etc.
- Kebapçı İskender: This restaurant is famous for its İskender kebab dish, which is a must-try for meat lovers.
- Köfteci Yusuf: If you’re looking for tasty Turkish meatballs (köfte) with various toppings and sides, then this restaurant is the place to be.
- Çiya Sofrası: For those who want to try authentic Turkish cuisine from different regions of the country, Çiya Sofrası offers traditional dishes that will satisfy your cravings.
- Şahin Usta Baklavaları: This restaurant serves not only their famous baklava but also other traditional Turkish desserts like künefe and şöbiyet.
- Adana Ocakbaşı Restaurant: Specializing in Adana-style kebab, this restaurant offers delicious grilled meats and meze (appetizers).
- Karaköy Güllüoğlu: Another famous baklava shop that has been serving the sweet treat since 1871.
- Namlı Gurme: A deli-style restaurant with a variety of Turkish breakfast items like cheese, olives, pastries, and more.
- Hacızade Pide Salonu: This local favorite spot serves freshly baked pide (Turkish flatbread) with various toppings like cheese or meat for lunch or dinner.
- Mado Cafe & Restaurant: Known for its ice cream made with goat’s milk and other desserts like künefe and baklava as well as savory dishes such as pide and kebab.
- Saray Lokantası Bağcılar Şubesi: A traditional Ottoman-style restaurant serving dishes such as stuffed grape leaves and lamb stew.
- Bağcılar City Park is the largest public park in the district and offers a range of recreational activities, including walking paths, cycling tracks, playgrounds, picnic areas and sports facilities.
- Güneşli Park is situated in the Güneşli neighborhood of Bağcılar and features a large lake with paddle boats, walking paths, a playground and a basketball court.
- İstanbul Park is located near Istanbul Atatürk Airport and provides visitors with various outdoor activities such as jogging trails, bike paths and picnic areas.
- Fatih Caddesi Park is a small park situated along Fatih Caddesi street in Bağcılar that has a children’s playground area and benches for relaxation.
- Kaya Şehir Recreational Area can be found on the outskirts of Bağcılar district towards Başakşehir district. It offers various outdoor activities such as trekking trails, cycling tracks and picnic areas surrounded by forests.
- Mimar Sinan Sports Complex located in Bağcılar boasts an indoor swimming pool along with tennis courts and football fields for sports enthusiasts to enjoy.
- Aydın Doğan Culture Center hosts cultural events throughout the year including concerts, exhibitions and theatrical performances for visitors to enjoy during their leisure time.
