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Yedikule is a quiet neighborhood on the southwest corner of the Fatih district in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s located between Samatya and the Theodosian Walls. On the other side of the walls is the Kazlıçeşme neighborhood of Zeytinburnu.
History
Yedikule is named after the main attraction in the area, the Yedikule Fortress, which is covered in a separate post. Other than that, there’s nothing of real interest for tourists.
Yedikule has been an important neighborhood for Istanbul’s non-Muslim citizens. Historically, the area has had a high concentration of members of the Greek and Armenian communities. Several churches belonging to both communities are in nearby Samatya.
What to See
The best thing to do is to just wander through the neighborhood admiring the historic Ottoman homes. Some are dilapidated and in need of care while others have been nicely restored. They’re usually mixed in between ugly modern concrete constructions.
It’s also great to combine your exploration of the area with a trip to Samatya, where you can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the meyhanes (tavernas) on Samatya Square.
