Taksim Square

Taksim Square (or Taksim Meydanı in Turkish) stands in the European part of the city and is one of Istanbul’s most important and famous squares, widely considered the heart of modern Istanbul. The square is a meeting place, entertainment hub and one of the main shopping districts, home to not only shops and restaurants but also modern hotel chains and trendy venues. Over time, Taksim Square has also become the focal point for political rallies, protests and demonstrations, which have occasionally resulted in police intervention.

Things to do at Taksim Square

At the centre of Taksim Square stands the Monument of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Anıtı), a work approximately 12 metres tall created by Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica to commemorate the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The monument has two distinct sides: one honouring Atatürk’s role as military commander and the other his role as statesman. On the northern side, you can admire a statue of Atatürk in military uniform during the War of Independence, whilst on the southern side (towards Independence Avenue) he is depicted with his companions dressed in modern Western clothing.

Surrounding the square are other significant buildings, including the renowned Hotel Marmara, the Atatürk Cultural Centre and Istanbul State Theatre. The square is also framed by famous fast-food chains, large hotels, banks and various venues. From the square runs Independence Avenue (or Istiklal Caddesi), one of Istanbul’s most famous commercial streets and a pedestrianised thoroughfare lined with shopping centres, shops, cinemas and cafés. Also departing from Taksim Square is the vintage tram line known in Turkish as the “nostaljik tramvay” (nostalgic tram line), which consists of red trams dating from the 1950s that travel along Independence Avenue all the way to Tünel.

History of Taksim Square

Taksim Square has gained significant historical and social importance, particularly over the last century, when it underwent a complete transformation in role and structure. The name “Taksim” in Turkish means “distribution”, as this area had been used since the 18th century as a water distribution hub for the city. Until the last century, this area was considered the northern periphery of the city and only with the expansion of the urban core, which occurred in recent times, did it become the heart of modern Istanbul. Following the declaration of the Turkish Republic, Taksim Square became the focal point for celebrations, demonstrations and rallies, and a place where citizens gather to express their views, often in opposition to those of the authorities. Here, both celebrations of football victories and protests against decisions made by President Erdoğan’s government, which has led Turkey since 2013, have taken place.

How to reach Taksim Square

Taksim Square benefits from a central location that provides excellent connections to different parts of the city. It is the terminus for many Istanbul bus lines as well as the M2 metro line and the vintage tram. The vintage tram line, in particular, connects Taksim Square with Tünel, running along the entire length of Independence Avenue.

From Taksim Square also departs the Tünel funicular, which connects Taksim Metro station with Kabataş, a tram station on the Bosphorus.