We can define the history of Bakırköy, as the history of Istanbul. It is as old as Istanbul. Bakırköy, while protecting its old importance in the Byzantine era, it had become a political and military focused base too. Through the years, first the Jeptimun and then the Makrohori, Makriköy, and Bakırköy as the last name, it had changed lots of names just like Istanbul. Yeşilköy or San Stefano which stays inside of the county borders, was invaded by the Russians during 1877-78. And the famous Treaty of San Stefano was signed here, in Bakırköy. Abdülhamid II was dethroned here in Bakırköy. Through the historical development of Bakırköy, we can see lots of after effects from the French Invasion too. The invasion later disappeared with the liberation of Istanbul and the Republic Era had begun.
Hepdoman in the Latin Emperorship
When Istanbul had become one of the areas belonging to the Latin Emperorship during the 12th century, Bakırköy got its first name, Hepdoman. Besides from Hepdoman, Bakırköy also mentioned with the name Makrohori (Uzunköy) and Jeptimum too. When the Ottoman Empire seized the area, Makrohori became Makriköy which means Makri Village technically.
The era that the Turks settled inside of the area intensively, had happened approximately during the 15th century. Makriköy which had some pretty good developments during the Abdülhamid II era and had many pavilions has become one of the counties of Istanbul since the 19th century. When the law passed which forbids foreign sourced names to be used, old Makriköy became the new Bakırköy.
Yeşilköy which stays inside of the county borders has some special importance. Apart from the Treaty of San Stefano, another important event about Yeşilköy is the Army which set off from Thessaloniki to suppress the rebellion from the incident of 31 March incident, came here too. Afterward, the assembled parliament decided to dethrone Abdülhamid II right in the Yeşilköy.
As we have mentioned before, the French invasion during the second world war was another important phase of the Bakırköy’s fate. After the liberation, Bakırköy became free again with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. As important historical artifacts throughout the history, we can mention the Cistern of the Hepdomon or with the Turkish name, Fildamı Sarnıcı, Baruthane which reflects the 17th century Ottoman Empire architecture and the Çarşı Mosque which was built in the same era with the Baruthane but later restored by the Sultan Abdülaziz at 1875. Moreover, Hamam Heaven or Şifa Hamamı is another important structure that is still standing. We can count the Cloth Factory, Yeşilköy Mansions, Bakırköy houses, churches, pavilions, and the famous Florya Atatürk Marine Mansion.
Natural Beauty, Climate and the Tourism
Bakırköy which is located at the coastal side of the Mediterranean Sea, despite its dazzling urbanization speed, is still one of the best areas of Istanbul with its natural beauties and climate. Even though it was full of endless meadows like 30 – 35 years ago, it is a solid example of urbanization right now.
Florya, with its Ataköy coast, Yeşilköy, Yeşilyurt, coast coffee houses, proms, is one of the most important places in Bakırköy. Atatürk Forest which was built by the order of the Founder of the Republic of the Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, can be counted as the greenest places in Istanbul. The Forest is famous for its oxygen levels apart from its nature. Beaches laying through the coastal cord, beaches with shining sands and the Fildamı which still has the beauties from the Byzantine era, Çarşı Mosque and Ahmet Hatun Mosque from the Ottoman era, they are all worth to see in Bakırköy. Named as Yunus Emre Cultural Center today, was the Baruthane (gunpowder factory) of the Ottoman era.
For air, sea and land transportation, Bakirköy is one of the richest places in Istanbul. You can arrive at Atatürk Airport just in 10-15 minutes by your car. Bakırköy is really steering into the tourism with its historical past, social service areas, five-star hotels, world-class shopping centers and much more…
Social Fabric of the County
Bakırköy, with its artisan, bureaucrat and retired residents, has really high welfare levels. There are nearly no new settlements and because of that the population always stood at the same level. Cevizlik, Yenimahalle and Sakızağacı neighborhoods in Bakırköy are the oldest settlement areas, thus they have always kept their first architectural style.
Ataköy Sites which was started to be built at 1960’s, has shown pretty impressive development in 20 years and became one of the most popular areas in Istanbul with its city planning and etc. People living there are still calling neighborhoods inside of the Ataköy by ”kısım” or sections. It has 11 sections in total and they are full of green grasses, resting areas, walking routes, shopping centers, cultural and social facilities and many more. Ataköy is literally one of the most impressive living areas of Istanbul.
