Beşiktaş (Turkey)

History and culture

With the construction of several summer palaces and a drill port for the imperial Ottoman fleet, the foundations of Beşiktaş as a new district were laid in the 16th century. With the final relocation of the seat of the throne from Topkapi Palace to the Beşiktaş Seraglio in 1834, the young Istanbul district quickly rose to become the political and cultural center of the Ottoman Empire. The empire's attempts at modernization, which began at the same time, are reflected particularly impressively in the architecture of Beşiktaş. Among the numerous historical buildings, the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace and the intricate Ortaköy Mosque are particularly noteworthy. Built by the Armenian court architect Garabet Balyan, neo-baroque European architectural style merges with traditional Turkish elements. Religions also come together in Beşiktaş: the Orthodox St. Fokas Church and the Etz-Ahayim Synagogue are located in the immediate vicinity of the mosque. In addition to the rich historical heritage that fills several museums, the district is home to a colorful entertainment and bar scene known throughout Turkey in neighborhoods such as Etiler. Art and culture weeks are held once a year.

Significance

The high recreational value of Beşiktaş is enhanced by a number of new green spaces, such as the Sportsmen's Park. Here in particular, the city administration has shown foresight by constructing underground emergency supply facilities. Beşiktaş is almost the only Turkish municipality to prepare itself for the event of an earthquake. The construction of a new town hall, a large new cultural center and sustainable improvements to the infrastructure are further projects that are currently being implemented. Great importance was attached to citizen participation in all construction projects right from the planning stage.

Today, Beşiktaş is of the greatest importance as a modern business location, with more than 2,000 national and international companies - including Siemens - represented here. Luxury hotels, skyscrapers and shopping centers characterize the skyline. At the same time, Beşiktaş is Turkey's most important "university city": it is home to five universities with 19 faculties. It is not without good reason that the city claims to be the richest municipality in the country with the highest level of education. University contacts are therefore an important focus of the partnership.

Beşiktaş and Erlangen

However, the two cities focus primarily on civic encounters and cultural exchange, as the Erlangen-Beşiktaş partnership enjoys a very special status: the large number of Turkish and Turkish-born citizens living in Erlangen offers a unique starting point for more intensive relations. The great interest and commitment of Erlangen residents of German and Turkish origin, even at the initiation stage, show that the partnership with Beşiktaş also provides important impetus for intercultural coexistence in Erlangen.

In 2006, the film "Beşiktaş - Metropole am Bosporus" was produced by Gülseren Suzan and Jochen Menzel on behalf of ERBEŞ e.V. - Verein zur Förderung der Städtepartnerschaft Erlangen. The film premiered in November 2006 with guests from Beşiktaş at the Siemens Forum. The public screening followed in March 2007 at the Lammlichtspiele.