Esenler, Turkey
Region: Istanbul
Geographic Coordinates: 41.033900, 28.890300
Temperature Range: -30.0°C to 40.0°C (-22°F to 104°F)
Population: 444561
Language: Turkish
Esenler is a district situated on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the most densely populated and lively districts in Istanbul, With a population exceeding 500, 000 people. The district got its name from Esenler Mosque which was established during the Ottoman Empire. Esenler has undergone rapid development since the 1970s and has emerged as one of the most significant transportation hubs in Istanbul. One of Esenler’s main attractions is its central location and accessibility to other parts of Istanbul.
The district has three major highways that link it to other parts of Istanbul; TEM highway, E-5 highway, And D-100 highway. Moreover, It boasts two metro stations that provide easy access to other districts such as Fatih and Beyoglu. Esenler also offers several cultural attractions for tourists interested in exploring Turkish history and culture. One such attraction is the Hoca Ahmet Yesevi Cultural Center which organizes various cultural events throughout the year including traditional Turkish music concerts, Art exhibitions, And theatrical performances.
Another noteworthy attraction in Esenler is its traditional bazaars or markets where visitors can find local goods like textiles, Spices, Ceramics, Jewelry among others at reasonable prices. One popular market is called Kuyumcukent which means Jewelry City due to its vast selection of jewelry shops. For those seeking outdoor activities or green spaces within urban settings should visit Ataturk Park located on top of a hill with stunning views overlooking all over Istanbul cityscape along with picnic areas & playgrounds for kids nearby making it an ideal spot for families visiting Esenler.
The district also houses several modern shopping centers including Forum Istanbul Shopping Mall which accommodates over 250 stores ranging from high-end fashion brands to electronics stores as well as cinemas & restaurants offering international cuisine options making it perfect for shoppers looking for variety under one roof. Esenler caters to everyone’s needs and preferences. Whether you are interested in exploring Turkish culture and history or merely looking for a convenient location to explore Istanbul from, Esenler has it all.
With its central location, Accessibility to other parts of Istanbul, Cultural attractions, Traditional bazaars and modern shopping centers visitors are sure to have an enjoyable experience in this vibrant district.
- Esenler Grand Mosque: A large mosque that attracts visitors from all over the world.
- Hoca Sinan Camii: A historic mosque built in the 16th century.
- Ataturk Olympic Stadium: A modern stadium that hosted many international sports events.
- Istanbul Forum Shopping Mall: One of the largest shopping malls in Istanbul.
- Eyup Sultan Mosque and Tomb: A sacred site for Muslims located on a hill overlooking Golden Horn.
- Miniaturk Park: An outdoor park featuring miniatures of famous landmarks from around Turkey.
- Pierre Loti Hill and Cafe: A scenic hilltop offering panoramic views of Istanbul and a popular cafe named after French writer Pierre Loti.
- Belgrad Forest: A large forest area with hiking trails, picnic areas, and wildlife watching opportunities.
- Aqua Florya Shopping Mall & Aquarium: An indoor aquarium featuring marine life from around the world as well as a shopping mall with various stores and restaurants.
- Taksim Square & Istiklal Street: One of Istanbul’s busiest areas known for its shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, historic architecture, street performers and nightlife scene at night time.
- Textile manufacturing
- Construction and building materials
- Food processing
- Automotive parts manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Small and medium-sized enterprises involved in:
- Furniture production
- Printing and packaging services
- Metalworking
- Logistics
- The Battle of Ankara was a significant event that occurred on July 20, 1402, near Esenler. Timur emerged victorious against the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I, which resulted in his authority over much of Anatolia.
- Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, is a renowned figure associated with Esenler. He became sultan at the age of 19 after his father’s death and conquered Constantinople in 1453. His conquests expanded Ottoman territory throughout Eastern Europe.
- On June 28, 2016, Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul was attacked by three terrorists resulting in the deaths of 45 people and hundreds more injured. This attack is one among several high-profile terrorist incidents that have taken place in Turkey recently.
- The Esenler Mosque is a prominent religious site and landmark located within the area.
- Hacı Bektaş Veli founded Bektaşiyyah or Alevism during Seljuk period (11th-14th centuries). He was a Sufi mystic who lived during this time.
- Necip Fazıl Kısakürek was an intellectual who lived from1904 to1983 and made significant contributions as a poet, playwright, novelist and essayist.
- Fatih Terim played football for Galatasaray SK between1974-1985 before becoming their coach from1996-2000 & again from2002-2004 &2011–2013.He is a former Turkish football player with notable achievements as their coach too.
- Esenler Municipality Cultural Center
- Istanbul Toy Museum
- Kariye Museum (Chora Church)
- Suleymaniye Mosque
- Topkapi Palace
- Hagia Sophia Museum
- Basilica Cistern
- Galata Tower
- Grand Bazaar
- Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)
- International Istanbul Puppet Festival
- Istanbul International Film Festival
- Istanbul Jazz Festival
- Turkish National Day (October 29)
- Republic Day Celebrations (October 29)
- Victory Day Celebrations (August 30)
- Ramadan Festivities
- Eid al-Fitr Celebration
- Eid al-Adha Celebration
- Some popular local cuisine in Esenler, Turkey includes:
- Kebabs (lamb, beef or chicken)
- Pide (Turkish pizza)
- Lahmacun (Turkish flatbread with minced meat and vegetables)
- Meze (Turkish appetizers)
- Some popular restaurants in Esenler, Turkey are:
- Köşk Restaurant
- Sultanahmet Köftecisi
- Tarihi Hacı Dayı Restaurant
- Beykoz Uğur Mumcu Et Lokantası
- Esenler Istanbul Park
- Halkali Pond
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Forest
- Esenler Ataturk City Forest
- Esenler Municipality Sports Complex
- Istanbul Kemerburgaz University Swimming Pool and Sports Hall
For accurate and updated information on cultural events and festivals happening in Esenler or any other location in Turkey, it is recommended to check with local tourism boards or event organizers as these can change from time to time depending on various factors such as weather conditions, political climate, etc.
