Emirgan Park

The Beauty of Emirgan Park

Despite the huge and busy nature of Istanbul, you might be surprised to learn that it is actually packed with huge, open, and green spaces to explore. Some of these parks are also packed with history, dating back thousands of years, even far into the Byzantine era and the time of the Ottoman Empire.

Emirgan Park is one of those historic open spaces, that should certainly be on your visit list when you head to Istanbul.

Let’s face it, there is so much to see and do in Istanbul that you will need to sit down and have a rest from time to time! There is no better place to do this than in an open green space, surrounded by nature and history, and without the packed crowds you will certainly experienced in and around the main city limits. After a day in Taksim, a few hours spent within nature will be greatly received!

About Emirgan Park

Emirgan Park is located in the Sariyer part of Istanbul, on the European side. It sits on the banks of the Bosphorus, so you’re getting plenty of fresh, sea air at the same time! This is without a doubt one of the largest parks in Istanbul, and covers a huge 117 acres of space, split into various pavilions. The park dates back to Byzantine times, and is famous these days for its abundant, brightly coloured tulips. To capture a picture of these beautiful flowers in bloom is something to highlight your Instagram account!

Throughout the park you’ll also find lots of picnic tables, fountains, statues, and even a playground for children to run off some steam in total safety. There are also cafes and small restaurants, where you can fuel up with a refreshing drink and snack. Put simply, Emirgan Park is ideal for relaxing, enjoying nature, and taking in the scenery, along with some fantastic views over the Bosphorus too. You’ll regularly see locals enjoying the sunshine, kids running around, and even the odd bride posing for her wedding photos. This is a local and touristic place combined, so its a great spot for viewing authentic life in Istanbul too.

The History of Emirgan Park

The park mainly came to prominence during the Byzantine era, and during the 16th century it was referred to as Feridun Bey Park. At this time, the park wasn’t really used for much at all, but the park was then passed into the hands of a person of high importance within the Ottoman Empire, Nisanci Feridun Bey. From there, the park began to take shape, and turn into a place of leisure for those high in rank within the ruling government.

The name of the park was changed to Emirgune in the mid 17th century, and over time translated over into Emirgan Park instead. The park passed between owners several times over this period, from Sultan Murad IV, to Emir June Han, a commander of Persian heritage, to Khedive Ismail Pasha, another high ranking Ottoman Governor. It was during this ownership that the park was built into various pavilions, which we’ll cover shortly. These various pavilions remain in the same state today, showing you a true window into past history.

After several restoration works, Emirgan Park finally opened to the public in the early ‘80s.

The Various Pavilions of Emirgan Park

There are three main pavilions within the park, and you should certainly explore them all. These are:

• The Yellow Pavilion – Containing a huge wooden mansion which dates back to 1871. This is in the centre of Emirgan Park and covers two storeys in height. This is a traditional Ottoman-style house and will really show you the history of the time, as well as being decorated inside, in true opulent style. There is a cafe here too, where you can sit and relax.
• The Pink Pavilion – This is another two storey house of Ottoman times, and the outer is a beautify shade of pink. Again, there is another cafe outside, and this particular venue is often used for weddings, so you might see the odd bride and groom going inside and out!
• The White Pavilion – Very close to the Yellow Pavilion, you’ll find another huge mansion which is built in neo-classical style. Again, there is another cafe here, but also a very good Turkish restaurant, where you can try delicious local meals during the evening time.

If you visit the park during April, check out the specific dates of the International Tulip Festival, which bases itself inside the park.