Consider this: a rocky terrain transformed into a thriving neighborhood. That is Kayabaşı. Formerly known as Ayayorgi this district now pulses with modern life. It is a place where history whispers and the future unfolds.
Kayabaşı sits in the municipality of Başakşehir in Istanbul. It was once called Azatlı. The name Kayabaşı means “rocky head” in Turkish. This perfectly describes the area’s landscape. Imagine rolling hills and sturdy ground beneath your feet.
This area boasts a rich past dating back centuries. Yarımburgaz Cave is nearby. This cave holds historical importance for Istanbul. Archeologists have found fossils here. These fossils offer a glimpse into the area’s ancient past.
In the Byzantine era a cave-church was carved into the cave walls. A monastery was built outside its mouth. Some artifacts are now displayed in Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
The Azatlı Gunpowder Mill once stood near Kayabaşı. Built in 1795 it supplied gunpowder to the Ottoman Army. Water was essential for gunpowder production. The Şamlar Bendi dam was constructed during Mahmut II’s reign. The Dadian family ran the mill. They were Ottoman Armenians. Sultan granted privileges to Armenian workers here. This led to the area being called Azatlı.
The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 brought destruction. The Russian Army destroyed the gunpowder mill and it closed.
After the Second Constitutional Era a farm replaced Azatlık. It was named Resneli Farm. This honored Resneli Niyazi Bey a hero of the Young Turk Revolution.
The Greco-Turkish population exchange of 1923 greatly impacted Kayabaşı. Muslim inhabitants left Kovitsa in Drama. They arrived in Istanbul by train. They initially settled in Yeşilköy but it was not suitable for livestock. They moved to Kayabaşı and Mahmutşevketpaşa. Orthodox Christian inhabitants mostly went to Kayalar in Greece.
Vineyards and farming defined the lives of Orthodox inhabitants. Today water wells tile drain ruins and wall remnants still exist. Some houses built by Orthodox residents remain. A few old houses built by early Muslim inhabitants also stand.
Two churches once stood in Kayabaşı. In the 1950s a mosque was built using materials from a demolished church. A school built in the 1930s was rebuilt in the 2000s.
Today livestock and farming are declining in Kayabaşı. This is due to land appropriation for new city developments. Some villagers have migrated abroad seeking new opportunities.
Kayabaşı’s population in 2022 was 111395. The neighborhood has seen rapid growth. In 2015 the population including Kayaşehir reached 60191.
Kayabaşı is more than just a place. It is a testament to resilience adaptation and transformation. As you explore this neighborhood remember its layered history. See the echoes of the past in its present-day form. Kayabaşı is a vibrant thread in Istanbul’s rich tapestry.