Istanbul Design Loft

Beyoglu is an area of the European part of Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, located next to the famous Golden Horn. In the remote times Beyoglu was an important commericial centre, especially for the merchants from Genoa and Venice, that has converted it into a Cosmopolitan area nowadays. The main avenue of Beyoglu is Istiklal. Running through the whole district, this street is 1,6 km long and full of design shops and unique boutiques, gourmet and cozy restaurants and cafes, high-end, exclusive clubs, cinemas, theatres and art galleries. The Galata neighbourhood is a part of Beyoglu. It is situated on the northern shore of the famous Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus that divides Istanbul into the Old and New city and that forms a natural harbour where centuries ago Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman ships used to find shelter. It is spanned by 4 bridges, including the famous-in-literature Galata bridge. The Galata district has always played important role in the cultural and commercial life of Istanbul, former Constantinople. Now it has strengthened its positions and is viewed as a new cultural centre of the city offering a great variety of bohemian cafes and bars, luxurious restaurants and design shops, museums with interesting collections and theatres and cinemas with alluring repertoire. However, Galata is also a quarter of contrasts where traditional Turkish bars peacefully neighbour with ultramodern, high-end places. It is the Galata area where lies the famous lively pedestrian street Istiklal and Tünel Square. And just by passing the Galata Bridge you will arrive at Sultanahmet Square, the most famous touristic attraction of Istanbul preserving the centuries-old history of the city.