HISTORY OF NİŞANTAŞI

In Turkish, the word “nişan” is a homonym with several meanings — in this context, signifying “aim” or “target.” “Taş” means “pillar” or “stone.” And the area takes its name from the several “target pillars” placed throughout the area, and used in the 1700s and 1800s by Ottoman sultans to practice their shooting in the then uninhabited, construction-free practice grounds.

First in 1791, the Sultan III. Selim has erected the first aiming stone on the site of today's Tesvikiye Mosque. Later, during the reign of Sultan Abdulmecid, this area was opened for reconstruction and the Teşvikiye Mosque and Harbiye Police Station were built. The name Tesvikiye is given to encourage people to settle in this region. After the Ottoman dynasty left Topkapi Palace and moved to Dolmabahce Palace and then Yildiz Palace, Nisantasi became preferred by high-ranking officials and members of the dynasty. Today, the place known as aret Akaretler, is the place where the houses are built for the guests of the palace. This neighborhood, known as Konaklar in the 1920s, witnesses rapidly the increase of tall buildings and apartment buildings in parallel with the development of the city in the following period. During this process, a certain architectural order was tried to be faithful. development of the city in the following period. During this process, a certain architectural order was tried to be faithful.