If you get a chance to pass by Tepebaşı in Istanbul, you -most probably – will not notice anything special about it. Located in the Beyoğlu district and parallel to the İstiklal Avenue, it hosts a large scale modern building that belongs to the Turkish Radio and Television and a massive car park.
Tepebaşı literally means the top of a hill. Once, it felt like one due to its amazing view, overlooking the Golden Horn.
The view of Tepebaşı
I want to take you back a century so that you can have glimpse at the rich cultural life at Tepebaşı which hosted the Tepebaşı Garden where concerts were held and which hosted two theaters, one dedicated to drama, the other to comedy along with cafes, dance halls, patisseries and bars for Istanbulites’ entertainment. Starting in the Ottoman Era, Tepebaşı continued to flourish after the declaration of the Modern Turkish Republic. Landmarks like Pera Palas Hotel, London Hotel, Bristol Hotel, and Italian House contributed to the area’s prestige, while iconic cultural venues such as Maksim Gazinosu operated here, attracting crowds from across the city.
It is so sad to think that only Pera Palas has stayed from this cultural scene which has vanished forever, as everything including the park has been destroyed. I can not stop thinking that all these people photographed in Tepebaşı, a century ago were so much luckier than we are today, for having been a part of a cultural scene as rich as that of Tepebaşı!
Tepebaşı Garden, 1930
Theater Hall in Tepebaşı
In the Tepebaşı Theater Hall, early 20th Century before the establishment of the Turkish Republic
We know that Sarah Bernhardt was one of the famous artists who played at the Tepebaşı Theater
Garden Bar, Tepebaşı, 1930s
Actors and actresses of Garden Bar
A poster of Garden Bar
Tepebaşı Park, 1930s
Tepebaşı Theater Hall, 1932
A cafe in Tepebaşı, early 20th century
The dystopic condition of Tepebaşı in the 21st Century
Visuals are taken from oggito.com and manifold.com.
