Beykoz on the far end of the Bosphorus on the Anatolian side has always been a suburb of the city. High ranking officials in the Ottoman Empire had summer lodges or farm houses here to flee the crowds. It was one of the green spots of the city and it relatively is today as compared to many parts of the city which have become too urbanized.
If you are looking for a place off the beaten track away from the crowds and gaze of the masses, consider spending the day at Beykoz. You can reach it by boat from any sides of the Bosphorus,
There are three spots I suggest you must see in Beykoz.
One is the Glass and Crystal Museum that has recently opened. It is inside the barns of the Vizier Abraham Pasha’s property which had many mansions, pools, barns and a theatre house inside it. Unfortunately, all are gone except the barn which has been beautifully renovated to become a museum.
Museum’s Entrance
Royal crystal collections displayed in the museum
The name of the museum takes its name from the glass and crystal factory that was located in the neighbourhood.
Now, the museum is inside a garden with 117 different types of trees and this museum is a secret gem in the city. It displays a range of glassware and crystals of the Ottoman era from Murano mirrors to cesmi bulbuls.
Cesmi Bulbul which is a special style of glassware loved by the Ottomans and which has its origin in Venice. The technique was learnt by the Ottomans in the 18th century from the Venetians.
It also has a lovely store and a small cafe for resting. If you are visiting in spring or summer, have a drink in the garden of the cafe overlooking the garden and the 19th century building.
Cafe of the Museum
After a rest in the cafe, it is time to visit the Abulmecid Pavilion called Mecidiye Kasri, The Pavilion was a present given to the sultan by the Mayor of Egypt as a present in the 19th century. it is another secret gem as few locals know the place. The pavilion had been used as a hospital for years and has been restored back to its ancient glory recently. It is a delightful place to visit as there are few people visiting the place and you feel special while inside it.
Mecidiye Pavilion
Mecidiye Pavilion’s Interior
After a visit to this glorious 19th century Pavilion, end the day at Beykoz Forest. Take a long walk while watching the view of the Bosphorus and dive into the beauty of the city away from its chaos and crowds.
Beykoz Forest: far from the Madding Crowd
