Glimpses of a recreational area from Byzantine times linger here at Çubuklu Mahallesi. This Istanbul neighborhood whispers tales of sultans, grand viziers, and even Egyptian royalty. Today, we’ll explore Çubuklu’s past and present.
Çubuklu sits on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus. Once known as Katangion to the Byzantines, it served as a place for leisure. Imagine emperors and their retinues seeking respite along these shores.
During the Ottoman era, Çubuklu caught the eye of several sultans. Selim I, Suleiman the Magnificent, Ahmed I, and Ahmed III all showed interest in its development. Later, Nevşehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha contributed to Çubuklu’s growth.
By the 19th century, Çubuklu transformed into a sought-after residential area. Grand Vizier Halil Rifat Pasha built five waterfront mansions for his sons. These yalıs added elegance to Çubuklu’s shoreline. They were a testament to the area’s growing importance.
Perched atop a hill overlooking Çubuklu sits the Khedive Palace. Abbas II of Egypt, the last Khedive, commissioned it as a summer home in 1907. Imagine him surveying his domain from this grand palace. The Turkish government acquired the palace in 1937. Since 1984, Beltur has operated it as a reasonably priced restaurant.
Modern Çubuklu houses important Turkish Navy facilities. The Underwater Search and Rescue Command trains frogmen and divers here. The Office of Navigation, Hydrography, and Oceanography also calls Çubuklu home. These institutions highlight Çubuklu’s strategic importance.
Çubuklu offers easy access via ferry. Şehir Hatları provides regular passenger and car ferry services. You can hop on a ferry to Üsküdar and then a bus to Çubuklu. A dolmuş from Üsküdar to Beykoz also works.
Adding to Çubuklu’s allure is the restoration of the Çubuklu Silos, completed between 2022 and 2024. These silos, dating back to the 1930s, now serve a new purpose. Once used for oil storage, they will accommodate a digital arts museum, a nature and science museum, a library, and more. They will also feature workshops, stages, event spaces, restaurants, and children’s centers.
Çubuklu, a place where history and modernity converge. From Byzantine recreation to Ottoman elegance to modern-day naval operations. This Istanbul neighborhood holds layers of stories waiting to be discovered.