Taksim Square

The symbolic center of modern Istanbul, this large square sits at the top of the pedestrian Istiklal Avenue and serves as a focus of the city's public life. Its Republic Monument, unveiled in the 1920s, depicts the founders of the Turkish republic, and the square has been the setting for major rallies, celebrations and protests. A newly built mosque and a large cultural center frame the open space. As the terminus of a historic tramline and countless bus routes, the square draws vast crowds day and night on the European side of the city.