Maçka Democracy Park
A Breath of Fresh Air in Istanbul
Maçka Demokrasi Park is a large and green park located in the Dolmabahçe Valley in Istanbul, Turkey. The park is located between the Maçka and Nişantaşı neighborhoods and covers an area of approximately 117 acres. The park is one of Istanbuls largest and most popular parks and is frequently visited by both locals and tourists. Maçka Democracy Park is a recreational area that has walking paths, childrens playgrounds, sports facilities, and picnic areas. It also has children's areas, rest areas and benches and decorative pools. In addition, the park is home to a variety of different tree and plant species.
The area was part of the Dolmabahçe Palace's gardens and was separated from the gardens being used as a parkland in the mid-19th century.It had been named as Maçka Park referring to people from the Black Sea region who were sent to Constantinople shortly after the conquest of the region by Mehmed II in 1461. Its name remained as Maçka Park until 1993 when it was renovated and renamed as Maçka Democracy Park.
Maçka Demokrasi Park is open every day from early in the morning until late at night and admission is free. One of the parks most striking features is the cable car that runs between Maçka and Taşkışla. This cable car offers visitors the opportunity to see stunning views of Istanbul from above.