Ortaköy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Ortaköy (disambiguation).

Ortaköy is a neighbourhood, formerly a small town, located in the middle of the European bank of the Bosphorus. (The Turkish name means "Middle Village".) It is part of the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul.

In the past the town was a cosmopolitan area, with communities of Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews.

Today the neighbourhood still hosts many different religious (Jewish, Muslim, Orthodox, and other Christian) structures. It is also a popular spot for locals and tourists alike with its popular buildings that host art galleries, clubs, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

The Ortaköy Mosque is a beautifully ornate mosque, right on the jetty of Ortaköy, bordering on the water of the Bosphorus, and thus highly visible from passing boats.

Several reputable schools, such as Kabataş Erkek Lisesi and Galatasaray University, are located in Ortaköy.

The Bosphorus Bridge, one of the two bridges that connect the European and Asian banks of İstanbul, is situated in Ortaköy.

The neighbourhood was also the site of George W. Bush's speech during the NATO Summit of 2004 that was delivered at the Galatasaray University.