This post is part 13 of 17 of my trip to Istanbul. The series intends to give more than just a I-saw-this-and-did-that review. It aims to share the voice inside my head as I explore a world I’ve only read in books.
The sixth day in Istanbul was our lazy Saturday. Technically, it was a Wednesday but we’d been running around the city like lab rats since we landed. It felt like a Saturday. Our days usually started at 7:30AM. We’d snooze for an hour, get dressed and have breakfast on the hotel terrace. By the time we left the Hali Hotel, it was around 10AM and we’d explored the city non-stop until 11PM. Once we got back to the hotel we’d shower and take a face-dive into the pillow. But this morning we decided to take it easy.
We slept in and had brunch in what use to be the home of Hakki Pasha.
Hakkı Pasha, who was the governor of Yemen in the last era of Ottoman Period, between the years 1846 – 1914, lived in this house. He constructed the building in the authentic architectural form together with the most famous Turkish architects of the period. And he lived here until 1911 with his family. This place of Hakkı Pasha has an important place in the history. His grandchildren restored this historical building for Hakkı Pasha’s memory. And now, they are operating this place, which has a magnificent atmosphere, under the title CozyPub Restaurant. - CozyPub & Restaurant
After brunch it was another day of trekking. We took the funicular at Kabatas Station to Taksim Square. Taksim is known as the new Istanbul. The most important monument is the Independence Monument. It commemorates Kemal Ataturk, the father day of modern day Istanbul. The monument displays his two roles – one as the military commander-in-chief and the other as a statesman.
Across this monument is the Ataturk Cultural Center, which use to be known as the Istanbul Cultural Palace. During the early years of the Republic, it use to be an opera house but it was damaged during a fire in 1970. After it was renovated they renamed it the Ataturk Cultural Center. Concerts, operas, exhibitions and premiers are held here.
Nearby the monument is Istiklal Caddessi, or Istiklal Street. It extends all the way to the Galata Tower. This road is filled with retail shops, hotels, restaurants, cafes, a few movie theaters and many historic sites. The walk through Taksim didn’t take too long. JC and I stopped by a few book stores and paid a visit to the St. Anthony of Padua Church. It is the largest Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul. The original church was built by the Italian community. The current church was rebuilt in Venetian Neo-Gothic style by the Istanbulite Levantino Italian and architect Giulio Mongeri.
The walk down Istiklal Caddessi takes about an hour and a half. JC and I sauntered about but we didn’t have much of an urge to go into the shops that lined the cosmopolitan pavilion. We walked all the way down to The Galata Tower and by the time we arrived, the sun was just about to set. We sat down in front of the tower and caught an amazing street performance.
Click here to watch the video!
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