Decades of serenity embrace you as you step into the Belgrad Forest. This mixed deciduous forest sits adjacent to Istanbul. It offers a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle.
The Belgrad Forest wasn’t always known by that name. Its story stretches back centuries. The forest got its name from a Thracian village. The village was named after the thousands of Serbs. Suleiman the Magnificent moved them here. They were deported from Belgrade in 1521. Belgrade fell to the Ottomans then.
Imagine Suleiman the Magnificent surveying this land. He saw its strategic value. The Ottomans began planting trees. They established a hunting ground for the elite. This expanded the forest and made it even more beautiful.
Today the Belgrad Forest covers approximately 5500 hectares. It is home to diverse plant, bird and animal species. The most common tree is the sessile oak. The forest is under protection. It is a popular recreational area for Istanbul residents and tourists.
But this protection faces challenges. The western section of the motorway runs through its northern part. Istanbul’s expansion puts pressure on the forest. Settlements surround it. New roads also pose a threat.
Instead of Byzantine aqueducts, you will find Ottoman dams here. These were built over 150 years. The Valens Aqueduct is the largest monument. It commemorates the water system that brought water to the city. This was during the 16th to 18th centuries.
There were two separate channeling systems in the forest. The older one was the Kırkçeşme system. It directed water to town through Eǧrikapı. Suleiman the Magnificent commissioned Sinan. Sinan upgraded the system in the 16th century. He created a new aqueduct system for the city. The Maǧlova Aqueduct is the largest. You can walk through it on its lower level. The Kemerburgaz aqueduct can also be traversed.
As Istanbul grew, the water supply needed expansion. A second supply line was built. It was the Taksim system. Most of its aqueducts and reservoirs were built in the 18th century. The Mahmud I Kemer stands beside the road in Bahçeköy. The Taksim system ended at Taksim Square. The reservoir there is now a small art gallery.
Today people come to the Belgrad Forest for recreation and tourism. Walking, jogging and hiking are popular. There is a 6.5 km jogging track. It starts at the Neşet Spring. Exercise equipment is stationed along the way.
Many paths and tracks wind through the forest. No readily available map exists. Satellite maps show roads and wider tracks. They do not show paths and fences. If you venture deeper, a compass and GPS are recommended.
The easiest place to start exploring is Bahçeköy. It is in the middle of the forest. Bahçeköy is easily accessible by public buses. Most Ottoman dams and reservoirs are reachable from here.
To see the forest’s foliage in different seasons, visit the Atatürk Arboretum. It is open on weekdays. There are more than 2000 plant species. The oak collection is best viewed in autumn.
Many visitors bring portable barbecues. There are seven main picnic areas. The most popular is Büyük Bent. It has its own cafe. You can bring your own food and cook on the wooden tables.
The Belgrad Forest offers an escape from the city. It allows you to connect with nature. Its history is intertwined with Istanbul’s growth. As you wander through the trees, remember the stories. Remember the Serbs, the sultans, and the engineers. They all shaped this green space. The Belgrad Forest remains a vital part of Istanbul’s identity.