Istanbul generally conjures up the image of a city suffocated with concrete structures in our minds.. However, this holy city has such corners that it creates the feeling that you have gone to a land thousands of kilometers away from the city.. The “Belgrade Forest”, which is the lungs of this city of 16 million people, where a perfect nature is located, and which is sometimes the life water of this city, is a place that everyone should see.. In this article, we will give you various information about the great “Belgrade Forests”, which is the largest natural area of Istanbul..
Information About Belgrad Forest
The artifacts captured after the Ottoman-Serbian expedition in 1521 are brought to Istanbul. It is on the agenda to revitalize the villages that were used by Byzantium at that time but were left unattended afterwards.. For this purpose, these captives are brought to the forest area near the old Ayvat village.. This place is also called Belgrad village over time.. Over time, this forest area is also called Belgrade Forest. When the people living here started to pollute the running water, they were removed from the forest as a result of the decision taken in 1894 and the settlement was completely banned. It was also used as a production site.. The highest point of the forest area, which is 5,300 hectares in size, is Kartaltepe, at an altitude of 230 m, and is approximately 45 km away from the Black Sea coast.. Standing out as the biggest clean air reservoir of Istanbul, the Belgrade Forest amazes you with the walk you will take among the greens.. Located in the easternmost part of the Çatalca peninsula, the forest extends to the Bosphorus on one side and the Black Sea coast on the other.. If you enter through the main entrance gate, you will come across a road with 2 turns.. If you continue from the right, you will reach the embankments mentioned above, and if you continue from the left, you will reach the walking path, deer production facility, triangle house and Yeni Derya cafe in the forest.. If you want to enter by car, you have to pay an entrance fee of around 10-20 TL.
Belgrade Forest Recreation Areas
Neşet Suyu Trail
The Neşet Water Trail, which is frequently used by people going for sports, is quite long due to its total length of 6.5 km.. Due to the fact that the running track is made of tile dust, the electricity released during running can easily pass from the body to the ground.. There is a kiosk at the beginning of the track where you can meet your basic needs, and for those who can complete the track, there is a pond with a very nice and pleasant view at the end.. If you happen to pass by the Belgrade forest when you come to Istanbul, you should definitely take the opportunity to take a wonderful walk in the fresh air on this track.
Deer Breeding Facility
Inside the Belgrad Forest The animals produced in the red deer production facility located in Turkey are sent to different regions of Turkey.. The production and breeding of these animals, which are in danger of extinction, is very important to ensure the natural cycle.. Don’t think that you can see a lot of deer when you go like that, there are about 15 deer in the facility.. We definitely do not recommend you to go to the region where hunting is strictly prohibited and where very serious fines as well as prison sentences can be given to the hunted people for such a thing.
Bentler Nature Park
As it is known, drinking water is supplied to Istanbul from the northern forests.. One of the important pillars of this drinking water route is the embankments in the Belgrad forest.. The history of these weirs, which were renewed and used especially during the Ottoman period, dates back to Byzantium.. This water reaches Istanbul from 2 points, the first of which is Taksim water and the second is Kırkçeşme waters.
Kırkçeşme waters were built by Mimar Sinan, whom we all know and know.. This water, which was made by the order of Suleiman the Magnificent, offered opportunities such as an intense living space.. Taksim waters are 18.. It was built to meet the water needs of the city that grew in the century.. The water coming from the forests is stored in Taksim and distributed to the whole region there.
Bentler Nature Park is one of the most important beauties you should visit in Istanbul with its historical texture, atmosphere and waters filtering through the greenery.. The park offers people a wonderful atmosphere in nature with clean air, plenty of greenery and water together.
Recreation Areas
When we Turks think of forest, there is no other thing other than barbecue. nothing comes. If you are a barbecue addict, of course, there is a place for you in the Belgrad Forest.. It can host thousands of people with its recreational areas.. It is useful to leave a small note, of course we are not against barbecues and picnics in the forest, but please do not forget to extinguish the barbecue properly after eating.
There are many recreation areas in the Belgrade forest.. These; Ayvat bendi recreation area, Binbaşı fountain recreation area, Benler recreation area, Kömürcübent recreation area, Kirazlıbent recreation area, Irmak recreation area, Mehmet Akif Ersoy recreation area, Neşet water recreation area, Falih Rıfkı Atay recreation area and Fatih fountain recreation area.. These are picnic areas, each of which is named after the places where they are located or the famous people who have left their mark on our history.. It is still useful to be careful in these places where there are authorized people to intervene against forest fires at any time.
Atatürk Arboretum
It is named after our ancestor and has a wonderful view. it is one of the unique places. It fascinates those who see it with its plant diversity and its view that can be the subject of postcards.. When you reach the area, you will be able to see that the barbecue smell of the Belgrad forest does not come and a very clean air awaits you.. Although it looks like a park, the Atatürk Arboretum, which is actually a museum, is preferred as a pleasant walking place with greenery and ponds around it.. For more information, we recommend you to read our article titled “Atatürk Arboretum”.
Belgrade Forest Entry Fee
In general, no fee is paid to enter the Belgrad Forest, but different entrance fee tariffs may be applied in some of the recreation areas above.. For example, entrance fees in Atatürk Arboretum. However, the entrance to the place called Belgrad Forest is free for pedestrians.. If you are coming with your vehicles, you have to pay for them.. The fee schedule for private vehicles is as follows:
Entrance TariffEntry FeePedestrianFreeAutomobile10 TLMinibus35 TLMidibus60 TLBus110 TLMotorcycle8 TLATV8 TL