Zeytinburnu was the gateway of Istanbul to the West and Europe in the past, as it is today. Because of this position, it was the junction point of different cultures, languages, and beliefs. It has always had a cosmopolitan demographic. Thanks to its flat topography parallel to the sea, it has managed to stay in the international transportation network since time immemorial. Therefore, it has always been a center of trade and attraction and has received intensive immigration in certain periods.
The most important transportation route from the Romans to the Ottoman period was through Zeytinburnu
The Egnatia road, which was built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC and connected the Adriatic to Istanbul, passed through Zeytinburnu. The Egnatia road, which is about 1200 km long, was an important branch of Rome’s huge transport network. He was also a powerful symbol of the empire’s dominance over the Balkans and Thrace. This route maintained its importance during the Ottoman period.
In the 5th century, very important religious and political structures were built in the region
In the 5th century, Zeytinburnu became one of the favorite settlements of the Byzantine empire. In the second half of this century, the emperor Leo I built the Panayia Church and the Balıklı Spring, which was right next to it. Later, Emperor Iustinianos I repaired and expanded this church, and since then some patriarchal bodies have been buried here. Thus, the region gained importance in terms of Christianity. In the 9th century, the Piyi Palace, built by the emperor Basil I around the Balıklı Spring, turned the region into a center of attraction. Over time, Ayazma and Çırpıcı Çayırı became the places where the people came on holy days and fairs.
Fatih reinforced the land walls stretching between the Golden Horn and the Marmara Sea with the Yedikule Fortress
After conquering Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmed built the Yedikule Fortress as a reinforcement to the land walls between the Golden Horn and the Marmara Sea. Thus, the importance of Zeytinburnu increased even more. According to legend, during the conquest of Istanbul, geese flying in the sky were seen at a time when there was a shortage of water in the army. At the end of the research carried out at the place where the geese were seen, a clean water source is discovered. In commemoration of this event, a fountain with a goose relief was built here. From that day on, the region is known as Kazlıçeşme.
From the 15th century, the Kazlıçeşme region became the center of tanneries, slaughterhouses, and candle houses
The Kazlıçeşme region was allocated to butchers and debbağ tradesmen by Fatih Sultan Mehmed. Over time, many large and small slaughterhouses and hundreds of tanneries were established here. Candle houses where candles were made from the inner fats of the slaughtered animals also took their place in Kazlıçeşme. Thus, the region turned into an integrated production center. In parallel with economic vitality, the number of settlements in and around Kazlıçeşme increased.
Zeytinburnu turned into a typical Ottoman city with its gardens, masjids, tekkes and dergahs, mevlevi houses and complexes
After the conquest of Istanbul, Zeytinburnu turned into a typical Ottoman settlement thanks to its masjids, tekkes and dergahs, mevlevi house and complexes. Various vegetables were grown in the famous gardens along the land walls, and the zerzevat needs of Istanbul were largely met from here. The city wall was also a large burial ground. These old Turkish cemeteries, where the martyrs of Fatah were first buried, have gained the appearance of an open-air museum with their tombstones of high artistic value over time.
Zeytinburnu was planned as Kazlıçeşme Organized Industrial Zone and two heavy industrial zones were established in Zeytinburnu
Zeytinburnu witnessed every step of the Ottoman industrialization process in the 19th century. In addition to the traditional production of tanneries, iron, steel, barley-cartridge, chimendifer, chemical and weaving factories were established with new technology. Zeytinburnu also underwent a rapid change during the Republican period. This place was planned as Kazlıçeşme Organized Industrial Zone by Istanbul Municipality in 1947 and two of the heavy industrial zones were established in Zeytinburnu. With industrialization, Zeytinburnu met with the phenomenon of migration from village to city, and then with the slums.
Zeytinburnu was elevated to district status in 1957
With the effect of the increasing population, it was elevated to the status of a district in 1957. In the 1990s, while apartment buildings replaced the slums, the social structure of the district also changed. Towards the end of these years, the ZEYPORT port project was launched. The district, which entered the 2000s in search of a new identity, took on a whole new face with the urban transformation projects, infrastructure works, environmental arrangements, and transportation investments in these years. Emphasis was placed on municipal services that prioritize the cultural and social development of the residents of the district.
Today, Zeytinburnu is one of the leading cultural and faith tourism centers of Istanbul with its historical texture and local values
All these efforts have begun to bear fruit, and today, Zeytinburnu is among the leading cultural and faith tourism destinations of Istanbul with its polished historical texture and local values.
Zeytinburnu is a working-class neighborhood, municipality, and district on the European side of İstanbul, Turkey, on the shore of the Marmara Sea just outside the ancient city’s walls, beyond the fortress of Yedikule. With its prime location in Istanbul, along with the historic area of the city and houses with wonderful views and a peaceful atmosphere, Zeytinburnu is one of the most attractive areas for investors in the real estate sector.
Location of Zeytinburnu
The district of Zeytinburnu is surrounded by the Fatih area to the east, Bayrampaşa to the north, Bakirkoy to the west, Esenler to the northwest, and the Marmara Sea to the south.
Transportation in Zeytinburnu
Since the location of Zeytinburnu is distinguished, its transportation is also excellent. As well as being a meeting point for many means of transport and public transport such as Metrobus, metro, Marmaray, tramway, underground metro line, maritime transport, and a wide network of bus routes to all districts of Istanbul.
The Thriving Architectural Revolution in Zeytinburnu Istanbul
Zeytinburnu Istanbul is a vital center for trade and industry within the city but has recently become a major place for the region’s leading luxury real estate projects as part of Istanbul’s overall urban renaissance and development plan.
Privileges of Buying Apartment in Zeytinburnu District
- Real estate prices began to rise, real estate markets started to be active, and real estate projects increased, increasing the value of the investment area and raising property prices.
- Zeytinburnu is one of the most important areas of Istanbul Europe, combining evolution and history.
- Zeytinburnu Istanbul is one of the high-end coastal areas that develop at a steady pace and is culturally accelerated. It is an open-air museum.
- Commercially, it is a destination for shopping, clothing, and leather center lovers in Turkey.
- Living standards are rising daily in Zeytinburnu, attracting new industrial, commercial, and real estate investments.
- Zeytinburnu has a rich social environment and a luxurious life, with luxury restaurants and large shopping centers such as Capacity Mall and Olivium Outlet Center, as well as hospitals and educational centers such as universities, schools, and social and local facilities.
- Luxury residential complexes with stunning views of the sea are available in the area. Smart home systems allow you to remotely control your home from anywhere, adding to your lifestyle an elegant and upscale style.
- Most of the residential complexes in Zeytinburnu have indispensable service facilities such as internal parking, a fitness center, generators, multiple lifts, and more.
- Green areas, unique water pools, and children’s games are spread throughout the Istanbul Municipality and its residential complexes.
It will be exciting for people who choose this district for recreation, if they know that Zeytinburnu, in addition to its natural features and unique beaches, also has large arcades and shopping centers. The new facilities provided by the municipality of this region for simple transportation are also worth mentioning. Due to its proximity to the city center, Zeytinburnu is also an ideal choice for investment because of all the opportunities it offers for living a magnificent life. The presence of numerous merchants and tourists in this district is enough proof of this claim. It can be said that the availability of commercial and economic opportunities, as well as the ideal conditions of modern life in Zeytinburnu, have caused the purchase of property in this district to bring significant benefits to investors.
