Gulhane Park had military depots and barracks during the Byzantium period. During the Ottoman Empire, the park functioned as a site for celebrations and ceremonies, as well as a rosary refuge and the Topkapi Palace’s main garden. The Park was first exposed to the public in 1912, and a zoo was added in 1955. Due to management issues, the zoo was forced to relocate to Ankara.
The Beauty of Gulhane Park
Gülhane Park which means “House of Roses Park” in Turkish is Istanbul’s oldest urban park and one of the city’s largest parks. Gulhane Park provides a breath of fresh air in the otherwise old metropolis of Istanbul. From the Set Ustu Cay Bahcesi on the park’s northeastern side, Gulhane Park is regarded for being the greatest area for picnicking and admiring the breathtaking views of the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Your eyes will be treated to planted flowerbeds as you travel through the garden on the tiny walks. This park provides a welcome break for those who have grown tired of viewing Istanbul’s mosques.
Gulhane Park Facts
- Gülhane Park is home to Istanbul’s oldest recognized monument, the “Column of the Goths,” which was built in the late third century CE. The column is a free-standing marble column that stands 18 metres tall in Gülhane Park’s east side.
- The Tanzimat Edict and Tanzimat reforms, which modernised the Ottoman Empire, were proclaimed at Gülhane Park in 1839, and so it is also regarded as Gülhane Edict.
- During the Istanbul Tulip Festival in March and April, Gülhane Park is covered in millions of tulip flowers, creating a beautiful landscape.
- The Park is among the few parks in Istanbul’s old peninsula, and it’s a great place to go for a stroll or run if you’re staying near Sultanahmet.
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What to See in Gulhane Park
Gulhane Park is now a famous tourist and local attraction. The park is quite large. There are numerous lovely gardens, trees, pools, and outdoor cafes with spectacular views of the Bosphorus. You may relax at one of the park’s outdoor cafes and take in the tranquil atmosphere while seeing the gorgeous gardens, pools, and adjacent Bosphorus scenery.
◊ Istanbul Tulip Festival
Istanbul Tulip Festival is held in the last 3 weeks of April. The Ottoman Empire and Turkish culture owe a great deal to tulips. This annual festival takes place in the city’s most famous parks, including Gulhane Park in Sirkeci, Sultanahmet Square in Sultanahmet, Yildiz Park in Besiktas, Emirgan Park in Emirgan in the European side, and Fethi Pasa Grove and Camlica Hill in Uskudar, Cubuklu Hidiv Grove in Cubuklu and Beykoz Park in Beykoz in the Asian side.
This is a free festival where visitors may experience billions of tulips in 120 various varieties that bloom in April, as well as a variety of cultural and artistic activities in Emirgan Park and Sultanahmet Square.
◊ Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
The Museum of Islamic Science and History of Technology is a magnificent and fascinating museum that displays replicas of some of Islamic Civilization’s most famous inventions from the 9th to 16th century. The museum is one of a kind in the world since it allows visitors to view the progress of several scientific fields in Islamic civilization. The museum, which inaugurated in 2008 and is located in Gulhane Park, on the outskirts of the Topkapi Palace Museum, is housed in the erstwhile Imperial Stables building.
Gulhane Park Map
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How to Get to the Gülhane Park?
The Gülhane Park, which is located in Sultanahmet, the historical core of Istanbul, is adjacent to the city’s most important landmarks, including Hagia Sophia, Topkap Palace, Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Blue Mosque, and Underground Cistern.
The most convenient way to get to Gülhane Park is to take the T1 tram line to Gülhane Tram Station, which stops right in front of the park’s entrance.
Visiting Information
◊ Gulhane Park Opening Hours: Every day of the week, the Park is available to the public.
◊ Gulhane Park Entrance Fee: The Park is open to the public and is free to enter.
◊ Address: Cankurtaran Mah., Gulhane, Istanbul