Victory Day Historical Walking Route in Eyüp Sultan
August 30 Victory Day is a sacred day symbolizing the will and unity of the Turkish nation. In keeping with the spirit of this meaningful day, we are mapping out a walking route in Eyüp Sultan, the spiritual heart of Istanbul, that traces the legacy of Ottoman heritage. The route takes Eyüp Sultan Square as its starting point, passes through the peaceful streets of martyrdoms and lodges, and suggests visiting the landmarks of the historical water culture.
The first stop of our walk is the Semiz Ali Paşa Fountain, located right next to the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, nestled among the martyrdoms. Built in the second half of the 16th century by the architect Mimar Sinan in the name of Semiz Ali Paşa, this fountain stands today as an elegant example of classical Ottoman fountain architecture. With its marble inscriptions and muqarnas dome, the structure draws attention; while it once met the water needs of the mosque surroundings and the neighborhood, today it offers visitors the aesthetics and functionality of that era together. On Victory Day, in these lands where we pay respect to our martyrs, drinking water from a priceless historical artifact establishes an invisible bond with the past.
Continuing our route, we pass through the streets reaching into the historical bazaar fabric of Eyüp Sultan and head towards the Hattat Mehmet Çeşmesi (Calligrapher Mehmet Fountain). Built in the early 18th century by the famous calligrapher Hattat Mehmet Efendi, this fountain reflects the zenith of Istanbul's ornamental arts. The fountain's inscriptions and decorations prove how much Ottoman aesthetics valued fine details. This stop is a gentle reminder that victory was won not only with weapons but also with culture, art, and science. While breathing in the historical texture on this bazaar path, it is possible to trace the marks of time while browsing the handicraft shops.
As the final stop of our walk, we descend towards the Eyüp Sultan shoreline and reach the Fil Köprüsü (Elephant Bridge). At the point where the Alibeyköy and Kağıthane streams merge, this historical bridge from the Ottoman period, which took the place of the Fil Köprüsü—another genius of Mimar Sinan—connects the historical peninsula with the Anatolian side. Its name comes from the anecdote of an elephant's feet sinking while crossing this bridge during Sultan Murad III's campaign to Edirne. On the evening of Victory Day, crossing this historical bridge over the calm blue waters of the Golden Horn, feeling the peace and tranquility that victory brought, is the most appropriate moment to crown this route with a meaningful finale.