Spring Has Sprung in Istanbul

I’ve traveled from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian side and back again, and I’ve seen signs of spring in all its glory everywhere I look.

Trees are blossoming with white and pale pink flowers.

 A few daffodils are blooming near the Dolmabahçe Palace.

Then, last week I happened to stroll by the Ihlamur Kasrı (Pavilion of the Linden Tree) in Beşiktaş, and I saw the tulip (lale) trees in the park. The trees’ pretty pink buds are just starting to open, which seems a bit earlier than last year. (I took similar photos last April in the park.)

This park may be small, but it's a delight to walk through.

That may be because we’ve had a fairly mild winter here except for a few snowfalls that blanketed Sultanahmet and the rest of the city as you can see in this photo post: Istanbul Covered in Snow in Instagram Photos.

I love the flowers, but my allergies don’t. For the last week or so, I’ve had itchy, watery eyes and I’m often sneezing. Such is the price I pay for springtime beauty.

Oh well.

I can’t stay cooped up in our apartment. The weather here really has been gorgeous with a little springtime rain here and there. I’ll take the rain and early blossoms over snow any day!

If you’re in Istanbul, get out there and enjoy spotting the flowers around the city like I have.

A Turkish cat sunning herself against the vibrant turquoise background.

The peacocks have returned to the park in Beşiktaş.

More lale blooms in the park.

Purple wildflowers spotted around the city.

Read More

Springtime in Istanbul's Beşiktaş Neighborhood

Finally, spring has settled into the city landscape of bustling Istanbul.

Trees are blossoming here.

Colorful tulips are blooming just about everywhere in Istanbul. You'll find them planted in the median of busy roadways, next to sidewalks, in planters and just about anyplace that has a patch of dirt. 11.5 million bulbs were planted in the city, according to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. 


It was a long winter here in Turkey so I think people are doubly happy to see spring arrive.

This weekend on the 15th, the7th International Lale Festival officially kicks off in Emirgan Park at the Beyaz Köşk. I probably will trek out to the park next week to avoid the heavy weekend traffic.

In the meantime, hubby and I took advantage of the warm weather on Sunday and strolled through the Ihlamur Kasrı (Pavilion of the Linden Tree), dating back to the early 1700s, in Beşiktaş. I wanted to photograph the tulip trees in the park before the rain destroyed these pretty pink blossoms this week.

It's hard to believe the Ihlamur Kasrı was completely covered in snow in January. Now, the park is full of Turkish families and young couples enjoying the springtime weather and taking photos, like myself, of the flowers.

The park in  Beşiktaş looks so different when it's not covered in snow!

There are several blooming forsynthia trees as well in the park.

A different perspective of a single red tulip in the park.

This lovely park may be small, but I think it's worth exploring if you happen to be in Beşiktaş, and especially if you stop by the Saturday pazar near the Migros around the corner.

Also worth noting is the park serves a hot Turkish breakfast buffet on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 9:30 a.m. The cost is 20 TL, if I understood the lady correctly when I asked in Turkish.

I'm happy to enjoy a bit of green space close to home in Istanbul.

For more details on the Tulip Festival, please click here to see what's happening in Istanbul this weekend.

Read More

Winter Wonderland in Beşiktaş

Nestled between busy Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı, currently covered in snow, lies an area the sultans once used as vineyards, a recreation area, meeting places and a private garden.

Yesterday, I visited the Ihlamur Kasrı (Pavilion of the Linden Tree) so I could photograph the lovely snow in this park. I walk by this park at least once a week and often have admired the park's changing foliage, but never stopped. We've even several weddings taking place here on the warm weekends.

January 2012 snowfall in Istanbul's Ihlamur Kasrı.

The Ihlamur Pavilion, dating back to the early 1700s, sits in a small, wooded valley in Beşiktaş and just behind Nişantaşı. According to the signs, this area was a vineyard belonging to the superintendent of the Naval Arsenal Hacı Ağa during the reign of Sultan Ahmed III (1703-1730). Then, it was converted into a hasbahçe - a private garden for the Sultan.

It's hard to believe the Ihlamur Kasrı is preserved right here in the middle of Istanbul! 

During the reigns of Sultan Selim III (1789-1808) and Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839), people practiced archery here. Later, Sultan Abdulmecid (1839-1861) came here frequently to host his guests in the pavilions, with the current two stone pavilions dating to the 1850s.

Back in the day, the Sultan had several of these little kasrs (pavilions or almost mini-palaces) dotted around the city just in case he needed to relax and get away from it all. Guess, the summer palaces located along the Bosphorus weren't enough back then!

I wonder what the pavilion looks like inside here.

Now, you can visit the Ihlamur Kasrı and Gardens during daytime hours for just 1 TL. You will find various trees such as ginko bilboa as well as bay, linden, magnolia trees and cypresses. There's also a cafe open during the weekends if you want to enjoy brunch or have a tea outside during warmer weather.

As you can see, the garden's roses are frozen in bloom and covered in snow. I certainly prefer to see the roses blooming when the sun is shining and the weather is a bit warmer.

Roses + snow = Wintertime in Istanbul

Maybe it will stop snowing in Istanbul tonight?

Guess these Turkish ducks don't mind the snow. =)

The rose reaches for the sun beneath a blanket of snow in Istanbul.

Read More