Rose petals and ancient dreams drift on the breeze. They whisper tales of Galatasaray High School. This isn’t just any school. It is a historic beacon of learning in Istanbul. Founded in 1481, Galatasaray High School stands as Turkey’s second-oldest educational institution. Only Istanbul University is older.
Galatasaray means Galata Palace. The school sits at Galata’s edge. Galata was a medieval Genoese enclave overlooking the Golden Horn. Today, it’s part of the Beyoğlu district.
Imagine Sultan Bayezid II roaming Istanbul in disguise. Legend says he discovered a garden filled with red and yellow roses. There, he met Gül Baba. Gül Baba was a wise man from the Bektashi Order. The Sultan sought his counsel on improving the Empire. Gül Baba desired a school for diverse students. This school would train wise men for the Empire. He offered to teach there.
Bayezid II established the Ottoman Imperial School near the rose garden. Gül Baba became its first headmaster. He served Galatasaray for many years. He even died during an Ottoman raid on Hungary. His tomb is in Budapest.
The school evolved. It was once the Galata Palace Imperial School. Later, it transformed into the Ottoman Medical School. French professors staffed it. Most courses were taught in French. Sultan Abdülaziz admired the French educational system. He established a free, compulsory education system. In 1868, the Lycée Impérial Ottoman de Galata-Sérai was founded. It was based on the French lycée model. French became the main language. Many teachers came from Europe. Students came from all Ottoman communities.
The district became known as Galatasaray. In 1905, Ali Sami Yen and friends founded Galatasaray Sports Club. It began in classroom 5B. A fire in 1907 destroyed the wooden buildings. Only some walls survived. The school relocated briefly. In 1909, students returned to a new stone building.
In 1923, the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed. The school’s name changed to Galatasaray Lisesi. Instruction was in Turkish and French. The school included elementary and lycée levels. French, literature, philosophy, and other subjects were taught. Galatasaray became co-educational in 1965. Today, at least 40% of students are female. Atatürk visited Galatasaray three times.
In the 1990s, Galatasaray High School transformed again. A Turkish-French agreement led to Galatasaray University. A new primary school was added. All three became part of an integrated education system. Admission to Galatasaray is highly selective. Successful candidates represent the top 0.03% of students. Many graduates attend Galatasaray University.
The Lycée de Galatasaray diploma equals the French Baccalaureate. Graduates can enter French universities without exams. The curriculum blends Turkish and French elements. Additional languages are offered. Turkish literature and history are taught in Turkish. French literature, philosophy, and science are taught in French. English, Italian, and Latin are also taught.
Galatasaray boasts numerous clubs. These include biology, soccer, rugby, and more. Galatasaray alumni have excelled in many fields. These fields include art, literature, diplomacy, and politics.
From its rose-garden origins to its modern form, Galatasaray High School remains a pillar of Turkish education. Its graduates continue to shape Turkey and the world.