Thinking of Istanbul, does your mind conjure images of ancient walls meeting the Marmara Sea? That’s Zeytinburnu. We are standing in Zeytinburnu a district on Istanbul’s European side. Zeytinburnu which means Olive Cape in Turkish has a rich story to tell.
Once upon a time, in the Byzantine era, this area was known as Kyklobion. The name Kyklobion refers to its circular fortress. This fortress guarded the coastal road to Constantinople.
The Arabs used Kyklobion as a landing site during their assaults on Constantinople in 674 and 717. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the name Kyklobion moved to Yedikule Fortress. The original site was abandoned. However, ruins remained until the 19th century.
Zeytinburnu transformed into an industrial village in the early 19th century. The leather industry thrived here in Kazlıçeşme thanks to the coastal location and water supply. Interestingly Kazlıçeşme got its name from a fountain adorned with a goose carving.
The population of Zeytinburnu was a mix of cultures. Greeks Armenians Bulgarians Jews and Turks called this place home. Today the Yedikule Surp Pirgiç Armenian Hospital still operates in Kazlıçeşme. It even has a museum.
From 1950 on, Zeytinburnu saw a significant change. Immigrants from Anatolia arrived. Zeytinburnu became one of the first Gecekondu districts with illegal buildings lacking infrastructure.
Legislation in the 1960s tried to prevent this type of building. These buildings continued to spring up. Small brick cottages evolved into multi-story concrete apartments. The ground floors became textile workshops and Zeytinburnu turned into a bustling industrial area with residences above.
Even now Zeytinburnu is still known for its textile industry. Mosaic floor tiles dating back to the Late Roman and early Byzantine periods were found during renovations at the Zeytinburnu Kazlıçeşme Cultural Center.
Although the leather industry moved to Tuzla the rows of housing and textile workshops remain. The municipality extended the tram line to Zeytinburnu to improve transportation. The tram station connects to the metro line for easy access to various parts of Istanbul.
The Olivium Outlet Center opened in 2000. It brought new shopping opportunities to Zeytinburnu. The mall attracts many visitors on weekends.
Zeytinburnu is also home to an Alevi community served by the Erikli Baba Cemevi. Large groups of Kazakhs and Turkmens work in the textile industry.
However, Zeytinburnu has faced challenges. Zeytinburnu is known for being a transit point for jihadists.
Despite the challenges, Zeytinburnu is changing. Younger generations are more educated shifting the district’s demographic. Zeytinburnu represents a blend of history industry and cultural diversity.