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Ancient Heritage along the Bosporus

The bubbling spring surrounded by trees near the railway station marks the location of the ancient Hermagoras. Haidar Pasha Plain serves as the gathering point for troops heading to the front on the Asiatic side. This vast plain is a cherished spot for Moslems and Oriental Christians on St. George’s Day, following the Greek Calendar (corresponding to May 5th). On this day, people from neighboring suburbs converge to celebrate the arrival of spring with a picnic feast featuring roast lamb.

A Historic Meeting Ground

Kadi Keui, adjacent to Haidar Pasha, occupies the site of ancient Chalcedon and is a preferred residence for British and other European residents in Constantinople. Steamers regularly commute between Galata Bridge and Kadi Keui almost every half-hour, from sunrise to sunset.

Echoes of Chalcedon’s Past

Ancient Chalcedon, once a rival to Byzantium, dates back to 685 B.C. An oracle famously r

Maritime Landmarks and Legends along the Bosporus

The prominent square yellow structure neighboring the cemetery, visible from the sea, is Selimieh Barracks. It stands on the grounds where Sultan Murad IV’s summer palace once existed. Sultan Selim III transformed it into a barracks for his Nizam jedid (New Regulars) in 1807. The Janissaries, in their rebellion against Selim III, set fire to the palace, leading to the construction of the current building under Sultan Mahmud II.

From Royal Retreat to Military Hub

Leander’s Tower, known as Khiz Kuleh (the Maiden’s Tower) in Turkish, is a square lighthouse perched on a submerged rock off Skutari Princes’ Islands Tranquil Retreat near Constantinople, serving as a prominent landmark in Constantinople’s waters. The name ‘Leander’s Tower’ originated from the Crusaders and has no association with the l