Kartal, Turkey
Region: Istanbul
Geographic Coordinates: 40.887200, 29.190000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 40.0°C (14°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 461155
Language: Turkish
Kartal is a charming district located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey. It is situated on the coast of the Marmara Sea and offers stunning views of the sea and nearby islands. The area has a rich history dating back to ancient times, With many historical landmarks and cultural attractions to explore. One of the most popular attractions in Kartal is its beautiful beaches. The coastline stretches for miles, Offering visitors plenty of opportunities to relax and soak up some sun.
There are also many water sports available for those who want to get more active, Such as windsurfing, Kayaking, And jet skiing. Another must-see attraction in Kartal is its historic castle ruins. The Kartal Castle dates back to Byzantine times and offers panoramic views of Istanbul’s skyline from its elevated position. Visitors can explore the ruins and learn about the castle’s fascinating history through informative displays. For those interested in culture, There are several museums in Kartal worth visiting. The Museum of Turkish Islamic Art houses an impressive collection of Ottoman-era artifacts such as pottery, Textiles, Jewelry, And calligraphy.
Meanwhile, At the Museum Of History And Culture Of Istanbul University-Kartal Campus showcases exhibits related to local culture including traditional costumes worn by people living in different regions around Turkey. Kartal also has a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of bars and restaurants that cater to all tastes – from traditional Turkish cuisine to international dishes like Italian or Chinese food – making it an ideal destination for foodies looking for new culinary experiences.
yet importantly , Transportation options are plentiful with easy access via public transport including buses , Metrobus lines , Trains making it easy for tourists who want to explore other parts of Istanbul without having any difficulties . Overall , Whether you’re interested in history or just want some time relaxing by the beach or exploring new cuisines , Kartal has something special that will make your trip one you’ll never forget .
Important Landmarks
- Aydos Castle: A historic castle located on a hilltop with panoramic views of Istanbul.
- Kartal Beach: A popular beach with crystal clear waters and a long promenade for walking or cycling.
- Dragos Hill: A scenic hilltop with stunning views of the sea and surrounding areas.
- Yakacık Mosque: A beautiful mosque known for its intricate architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
- Istanbul Park: A world-class race track that hosts international motorsports events such as Formula One races.
- Anadolu Hisarı Fortress: An ancient fortress built during the Ottoman Empire, located on the Bosphorus Strait.
- Maltepe Coastline Park: A picturesque park along the coast with walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Pendik Marina: A modern marina offering boat tours, water sports activities, and fine dining options.
- Tuzla Lake Bird Sanctuary: An important bird sanctuary home to various migratory species of birds such as flamingos, pelicans, storks etc..
- Kartal Art Center : The center offers exhibitions from local artists as well as workshops for children to learn painting techniques
Primary Industries
- Healthcare: The district is home to several hospitals, medical centers, clinics, and pharmacies.
- Education: There are many schools, colleges, and universities situated within Kartal.
- Construction: The construction industry is flourishing in Kartal with numerous new residential and commercial buildings under development.
- Retail: The district has various shopping centers, supermarkets as well as stores selling clothing & accessories etc., spread throughout the area.
- Tourism: Many people visit Kartal for its stunning beaches along the Marmara Sea coast.
- Transportation: Kartal has an efficient transportation infrastructure with bus stations, metro stations etc., making it convenient to travel within Istanbul or other parts of Turkey.
- Manufacturing & Industrial Production: Several factories producing textile products such as clothing etc., as well as electronics goods like computers & mobile phones etc., provide employment opportunities for locals residing there.
Noteable History
- The Battle of Malazgirt: This battle took place in 1071 near the town of Malazgirt, which is now part of Kartal. It was fought between the Seljuk Turks and the Byzantine Empire, resulting in a decisive victory for the Seljuks.
- Ottoman Empire: During the Ottoman period, Kartal was an important center for shipbuilding and trade.
- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: Atatürk visited Kartal in 1922 during his campaign to establish a modern Turkish state.
- Zeki Müren: A famous Turkish singer and composer, Zeki Müren lived in Kartal for many years before his death in 1996.
- Mithatpaşa Mansion: This historic mansion was built during the Ottoman period and served as a summer residence for Sultan Abdulhamid II. It is now used as a cultural center.
- Istanbul University Faculty of Fisheries: Established in 1939, this faculty is one of Turkey’s leading institutions for fisheries research and education.
- Tuzla Shipyard: Located on the outskirts of Kartal, Tuzla Shipyard is one of Turkey’s largest shipyards and has been involved in numerous important projects over the years.
- The Sea Of Marmara Earthquake (1999): An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck northwestern Turkey on August 17th, killing over 17 thousand people including some from Kartal who were affected by it significantly.
Museums and Things To See
- Kartal Art Gallery
- Kartal Municipality Culture and Art Center
- Aydos Castle
- Kartal Sahil Parkı (Kartal Coastal Park)
- Yunus Emre Mosque
- Haseki Sultan Complex
- Şeyhli Mound Archaeological Site
- Tuzla Lake Bird Sanctuary
- Istanbul Toy Museum (located nearby in Göztepe)
Sports Teams
- Kartal is a district in Istanbul, Turkey that is home to several sports teams.
- Among them are:
- Kartalspor, a football club founded in 1926 that has had some regional success
- İstanbul Kartal Belediyespor, another football club that plays primarily in lower divisions and was founded in 2004
- Kocaelispor, a historic football club from nearby Kocaeli with many fans and supporters within the district
- Fenerbahçe Men’s Basketball Team, which plays some of its home games at the Caferağa Sports Hall near Kartal as part of one of Turkey’s largest sports clubs
- Galatasaray Women’s Volleyball Team, which also fields men’s and women’s teams respectively competing at national levels
- There may be other smaller local clubs operating within Kartal as well with less media coverage or recognition outside their locality.
Cultural Events
- Kartal International Culture and Art Festival
- Kartal Municipality Spring Festival
- Kartal Municipality Summer Festival
- Kartal Municipality Autumn Festival
- Kartal Municipality Winter Festivities
- Hıdrellez Festival (celebration of spring)
- Ramadan Festivities (celebration of the end of Ramadan)
- Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha) celebrations
- Victory Day Celebrations on August 30th
- Republic Day Celebrations on October 29th
Cuisine
- Beykoz Kasap Osman – a famous meat restaurant that serves delicious grilled meats and kebabs.
- Mavi Balik – a seafood restaurant that offers fresh fish dishes.
- Haci Dayi – a traditional Turkish restaurant that serves classic dishes like pide, kebab, and meze.
- Simit Sarayi – a bakery chain known for its simit (Turkish bagel) and other baked goods.
- Kafkas Pide Salonu – a cozy eatery that specializes in pide (Turkish pizza).
- Adana Sofrası – an authentic Adana kebab restaurant with a wide variety of meat dishes.
- Köfteci Ramiz Usta – another popular meat restaurant known for its köfte (meatballs).
- Meşhur İskender Kebapçısı Bursa İnegöl Köftecisi – famous for its İskender kebab, this restaurant also serves other Turkish specialties like lahmacun and baklava.
- Çiya Sofrası Kartal Şubesi – part of the acclaimed Çiya Sofrası chain, this location offers authentic Anatolian cuisine with daily changing menus based on seasonal ingredients.
- Özcanlar Baklava & Tatlıcılık – renowned for its baklava and other sweet treats made with pistachios from Gaziantep region of Turkey.
- Kartal Sahil Parkı (Kartal Beach Park)
- Aydos Ormanı (Aydos Forest)
- Yakacık Mesire Alanı (Yakacık Picnic Area)
- Dragos Sahili (Dragos Beach)
- Kartal Olimpik Yüzme Havuzu (Kartal Olympic Swimming Pool)
- Kordonboyu Parkı (Kordonboyu Park)
- Yakacık Göleti Tabiat Parkı (Yakacık Pond Nature Park)
- Kartal Spor Kompleksi (Kartal Sports Complex)
- Tuzla Gölü Tabiat Parkı(Tuzla Lake Nature Park)