Atatürk Arboretum, Botanical garden in Bahçeköy, Turkey.
Atatürk Arboretum is a large botanical collection spanning roughly 296 hectares with around 2000 tree and plant species distributed across rolling forested terrain. The plants are arranged along stone pathways and natural trails that wind through varied landscape zones.
A researcher named Hayrettin Kayacık from Istanbul University started the project in 1949, laying the groundwork for what would become a comprehensive plant collection. The site officially opened in 1982, taking on the form visitors see today.
The grounds serve as a working research and teaching hub for Istanbul University's Faculty of Forestry, where students and scientists study plant biodiversity. You can observe the active role it plays in botanical education and conservation work.
Access is available Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 to 17:00, and you can reach it by taking the 42HM bus from Hacıosman metro station to Bahçeköy. The grounds are expansive, so wear sturdy shoes and allow plenty of time to explore comfortably.
The grounds feature the Kirazlı Dam from 1818, a historic water structure that sits among the botanical plantings. An older plant nursery from 1916 also remains on site, revealing how cultivation activities have roots stretching back over a century.
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