Beyazıt Square, Central square near Istanbul University, Turkey
Beyazıt Square is a large central plaza in Istanbul where the monumental university entrance, the distinctive Beyazıt Tower, and the historic Bayezid II Mosque stand around its edges. The space creates an open urban gathering area framed by different building types arranged around a common center.
The site was originally founded as Forum Theodosius and served as a gathering place in Istanbul for over 1700 years. Its core preserves layers of different historical periods and remained central to urban life from the Byzantine era to the present day.
The square connects to Sahaflar Çarşısı, a traditional book market where merchants display and sell literature, manuscripts, and religious texts in multiple languages.
The square is accessible by the T1 tram line and sits near the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets. The area is easy to explore on foot, and visitors should allow time to wander between the different buildings and nearby streets.
The Beyazıt State Library, built in 1884, uncovered the remains of a Byzantine church during its 2006 renovation beneath the ground. This archaeological discovery shows how different religions and cultures have inhabited and built at this location across the centuries.
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