Exploring Emirgan: Chickens, Churches & More in Istanbul

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Bosphorus, churches in Istanbul, Emirgan, Emirgan Korusu, Greek Orthodox Churches

Kamis, 20 September 2012

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For six weeks this summer, we stayed at a friend's home near  Emirgan Korusu (Emirgan Park).

The park is lovely, even without the springtime tulips, and the Bosphorusviews, especially of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, are extraordinary.

A night-time view of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Istanbul's second bridge that connects Europe and Asia together.

However, I quickly learned Emirgan is like a suburb of Istanbul. It took me about twice as long to get anywhere by public transportation! Lucky you if you have a car here.

That's when I realized my daily life in Istanbul revolves around the particular neighborhoods of Besiktas, Nisantasi, Sultanahmet and the Taksimarea. I'm a city girl at heart.

Every now and then, we might head north to Ortak�y or Bebek to grab a different kind of ale at  TAPS Brewery. And maybe to Emirgan for a relaxing Sunday brunch at Sutis. And then even more rare, we might venture over to the Asian side of Istanbul.

Still, I did enjoy temporarily living among the greenness and fancy houses of Emirgan. Here are some photos I took while exploring the side streets here.

You'll first notice the boats in the Bosphorus when you visit Emirgan in Istanbul.

But a few blocks away, you will find chickens in a neighbor's backyard.

The back of Panagia Evangelistria Greek Orthodox Church in Emirgan.
The church, dates back to 1834, still holds a service on Sunday mornings.

The front view of Panagia Evangelistria Greek Orthodox Church in Emirgan.

Emirgan has many of these beautifully restored Ottoman-era mansions.
I'm going to guess they date back to the 1800s.  

Wouldn't you love to live in one of these beauties in Istanbul?

I think this was once a functioning fountain.
Now, it's overgrown with wild flowers.

The Church of Surp Yerits Mangants (The Three Holy Infants) in Emirgan
also is open on Sundays. This Armenian church dates back to 1836
and was restored as recently as 2004.