Could you imagine living in a lighthouse garden? That’s essentially the meaning of Fenerbahçe. Today we find ourselves in this charming neighborhood. It is located on Istanbul’s Asian side. Fenerbahçe is an upscale area within the Kadıköy district. Its name comes from the historic lighthouse built in 1562.
The name Fenerbahçe indeed translates to Lighthouse Garden. The Turkish words “fener” mean lighthouse. The word “bahçe” means garden. Fenerbahçe has a rich history. In pre-Byzantine times, the area was known as Hieria. This name referred to a sanctuary of Hera. Some alternative meanings for Hieria include grave air religious ceremony and religious festival.
The area was also called Euron or Eurion. This was according to Stephanus of Byzantium. In the Middle Ages, it was known as Heraion or Hereion. Gyllius called it Euron and Cape of Ioannes Kalamote. During early Ottoman times, it was named Bağçe-i Fener. Patriarch Constantius I mentioned Phanaraki. He noted that Turks called it Fener Baxessi.
One of ancient Chalcedon’s ports was in Kalamış. Emperor Justinian I built a palace here. It included a harbor and porticoes for a forum. There was also a public bath and churches. These churches were dedicated to the Virgin Mary Procopius the Martyr and St. Helios the Thesbiste. Emperor Heraclius also resided here later. The Council of Hieria convened here in 754. Constantine V promoted his iconoclasm at this council. Basil I restored the imperial palace. He resided here and built a chapel. It was dedicated to Elijah. Constantine Porphyrogenitus rebuilt the palace. It remained until at least 1203.
In the 16th century, the Ottomans began construction. They converted the Byzantine palace grounds. It became an imperial garden. Architect Sinan did much of the work. A small imperial mosque was built. This happened during the reign of Selim I. A palace was constructed. It had a main building a smaller building outbuildings a tower and a small mosque.
In 1562, Sultan Süleyman authorized a lighthouse construction. Kapıağası Yakup Ağa built it. The lighthouse lamp burned olive oil. In 1849, the tower was rebuilt to be taller. A more modern lighthouse was built in 1856. By the 18th century, Fenerbahçe was a place of punishment. It was the port for exiles. In the mid-19th century, the road to Kadıköy was narrow. It was in poor condition. The main inhabitants were Greek and Armenian fishing families.
By the 1870s, the population was still small. It mainly consisted of Ottoman minorities and foreigners. Most of the land belonged to four foreign families. These were the Oppenheim Semadeni Cingria and Müller families. Wealthy Levantines Greeks and Armenians later built houses here. They socialized with these families. A railway branch line opened from Feneryolu to Fenerbahçe in 1873. Train service lasted until 1928. The station building was demolished in 1936.
The neighborhood lent its name to Fenerbahçe S.K. This is the professional sports club based here. The club’s home stadium stands just outside the neighborhood. It is called Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Fenerbahçe Education Culture and Health Foundation’s Fenerbahçe University is in Ataşehir.
Today, Fenerbahçe maintains its upscale charm. Its history as a lighthouse garden remains palpable. You can feel it as you walk through the streets. You can see it in the historical landmarks. The spirit of Fenerbahçe lives on.