The “Welcome” sign in Topkapı, erected in honor of those entering the city through the massive breach in the walls opened in the second half of the 1950s—at the point where the connection from Cevizlibağ to Millet Avenue was established… In those years, the modest circle marking Istanbul’s center of attraction encompassed Suriçi-Beyoğlu, with its neighbors including Beşiktaş, Şişli, Zeytinburnu, Bakırköy, Taşlıtarla, and Eyüb…
In the past, when residents of the Bosphorus villages were heading toward the Eminönü area, they would say, “We’re going down to the Bridge.” People from Kadıköy would say, “We’re crossing over to Istanbul.” Half a century ago—and even earlier—Istanbul’s center consisted solely of Suriçi…
In fact, during the Ottoman period, the neighboring regions surrounding Suriçi were divided into three parts. This classification was known as “Bilâd-ı Selâse” at the time. In other words, “Three Towns”… These were Pera (Beyoğlu), Eyüp, and Üsküdar. Since Kadıköy was very small back then, it was considered part of Üsküdar; it wasn’t even given its own name. The name given to the Old City itself is even more interesting: “Nefs-i İstanbul,” or “Nefs-i Stanbul”… That is, the soul of Istanbul, its heart…
The sign was affixed on behalf of the “Şehremini Beautification Association.” In other words, a welcome initiative organized by the municipality…
In the past, when residents of the Bosphorus villages were heading toward the Eminönü area, they would say, “We’re going down to the Bridge.” The people of Kadıköy, on the other hand, would say, “We’re crossing over to Istanbul.” This is because, half a century ago and even earlier, the center of Istanbul consisted solely of Suriçi…
In fact, during the Ottoman period, the neighboring regions surrounding Suriçi were divided into three parts. This classification was known as “Bilâd-ı Selâse” back then. In other words, “Three Towns”… These were Pera (Beyoğlu), Eyüp, and Üsküdar. Since Kadıköy was very small back then, it was considered part of Üsküdar; it wasn’t even given its own name. Coastal villages such as Bakırköy (Makrohori), Yeşilköy (Ayastefanos), Pendik, Kartal, Sarıyer, and Beykoz were considered suburbs. The name given to the city center itself is even more interesting: “Nefs-i İstanbul,” or “Nefs-i Stanbul”… That is, the soul of Istanbul, its heart…
Many neighborhoods that have since attained district status had a population potential in that era measured not in the thousands, but merely in the hundreds.