Dreaming of Istanbul’s Asian side? Let me introduce you to Maltepe. This district is a blend of history and modern life. It sits on the Marmara Sea’s northern shore. Maltepe is next to Kadıköy, Kartal and Ataşehir districts.
Maltepe’s story goes way back. In Byzantine times, it was known as Bryas. Emperor Theophilos built a palace here around 837. The palace was inspired by Arab designs from Baghdad. His ambassador John Grammatikos told him about those palaces. Some believe a ruin in Küçükyalı is part of that palace.
The coast became a retreat. Wealthy residents built summer homes here from Byzantine times until the 1970s. Maltepe was easy to reach by railway. It became a popular spot for beach trips. Many summer houses still stand. But the Marmara Sea is not clean enough for swimming now. Yet, the seafront is still nice for relaxing. You can sit, sip tea and enjoy the views of the Princes’ Islands.
After the Bosphorus Bridge opened in the 70s, Maltepe grew fast. It became easier to commute to the city. Buses and minibuses carry commuters. They travel along the E5 highway to the bridge. Some live in quiet streets with apartments. Others reside in modern complexes. These have tennis courts, playgrounds and security.
Maltepe is often cheaper than Kadıköy. Young families and newlyweds like it here. The 1999 İzmit earthquake damaged Maltepe badly. Many apartment blocks needed repairs. Some buildings still show cracks. This lowered property prices for a while. But prices have risen again, even with earthquake risks.
The E5 highway divides Maltepe. North of the highway is Başıbüyük. This is a working-class area on a wooded hill. Süreyyapaşa Hospital is here and a large cemetery. Many residents came from the Black Sea coast. You can find great bakeries and Akçaabat köfte restaurants here.
Maltepe has one of Istanbul’s largest mosques. It caused criticism because of its cost. The mosque has a traditional Turkish design. Inside, there’s a tall dome and a large gallery. Women can pray on a balcony. The galleries have carved wood frames. Mosaics show important Islamic sights. The mosque is a central point in Maltepe. It is visible from far away. Buses and minibuses stop here. They take commuters from Kadıköy to the city’s outskirts.
Maltepe offers a great view of the Princes’ Islands. Near the sea, you’ll find “old Maltepe”. This area feels like a village within the city. It has small winding streets and old houses. There are also bars and restaurants.
Maltepe has a busy shopping district. You can find big supermarkets, cinemas and fast-food places. The seashore has cafes and bars. Some offer live music. Public transport mainly serves commuters. But minibuses run late into the night. A large mosque stands in the center of Maltepe. It’s a distinctive landmark.
Maltepe’s history goes back to the Byzantine Empire. Back then, it was called Bryas or Urias. Some say Pelekanon was another name. Historians mention Bryas Palace near Küçükyalı. But there’s no firm proof of this. Maltepe was established here in the 16th century. Suleiman Bey captured this area in the 11th century. But it was later lost. Orhan Gazi conquered the area in 1329. During the Ottoman period, Maltepe was a key military spot.
Kazasker Feyzullah Efendi helped Maltepe grow in the 18th century. Most of Maltepe’s people were Greek. But they left during the republican period. Maltepe became a detached district in 1992.