Istanbul is the most crowded of the 81 provinces in Turkey. It has great economic, historical and socio-cultural importance. Istanbul was the capital of the Rome, Latin, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires in certain years. It is known as one of the oldest cities in the world. Istanbul is home to various civilizations and has many monuments and statues of different cultures. It has great importance both architecturally and historically, so the ruins contribute to the majesty of the city. Here are some of the monuments and sculptures in Istanbul…
The Thinking Man Sculpture (Le Penseur)
The Thinking Man Sculpture was created by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. It is one of the most famous sculptures in the world that expresses philosophical thought. An example of this artwork, which has many copies in the world, was made by the patients who were treated there in the garden of Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital in 1951 and it is known that it became the symbol of the mentally deranged people. The Thinking Man Sculpture was first built at the Rodin Museum in Paris.
Peace Sculpture
The Peace Sculpture was made by Turkish sculptor in 1974 by using marble. It is exhibited in Taksim Gezi Park in Istanbul. The sculpture is thought to represent the mother and the child. It draws attention with the importance of the concept that it symbolizes consisting of three forms.
Sculpture of the Child Watching People from Balcony
This sculpture of a lonely child, which was built as the Bank of Athens in 1913, hanging from the third floor of the building, which is now Minerva Khan, raises its head and salutes the ministers. This sculpture follows the passers by on the building decorated with Greek motifs in Karaköy and continues to hide among the details.
Sarayburnu Ataturk Monument
This is the first sculpture of Atatürk. He turns his back to the Topkapı Palace, the Ottoman Empire, and looks out at Anatolia hopefully. There are 39 Atatürk sculptures erected during one party period and only seven of them are in civilian attire. Sarayburnu Atatürk Monument is one of the sculptures of Atatürk in civilian attire. It is considered that the young Republic of Turkey as a reference to the demilitarization and democratization trend. Suits and ties almost depict an ideal citizen.
Monument to the Republic
The Republic Monument was completed in 1928 by Italian architect Pietro Canonica. It is located in Taksim Square, Istanbul. This gigantic and magnificent monument, which attracts the attention of all who see it, represents the Republic. The monument, rising in the middle of the circular square, has bronze figures on both sides. One side of the monument symbolizes the War of Independence and the other side symbolizes Turkey Republic. The Republic Monument is eleven meters high. Mustafa Kemal is on the north face, Ismet Inonu and Fevzi Cakmak in civilian clothes are on the other side. The monument that depicts the founding of Turkey, on behalf of the gratitude felt symbolized the Soviet generals statues of Soviet aid is also included. On the sides of the monument there are sculpture of soldiers.
Fighting Bull Sculpture
The Fighting Bull Sculpture was made by the French sculptor P.Rouillard. It is known that he did 148 years ago trying to give the animal anatomy with all its reality. In 1987 the sculpture, which has changed quite a lot over the years, moved to its current location. It was ordered by the sultan Abdulaziz, who is famous for his wrestler, with his upturned front leg, very muscular structure, and the bull statue, which seems to be ready to attack. The sculpture, which has become the symbol and meeting point of Kadıköy today, continues to attract the attention of all local and foreign tourists and local people.
Column of Marcian
This work was named after one of the first neighborhoods established after the conquest of Istanbul. It is said that the Rome Emperor built on his behalf in 457 BC. Some legends about the column in the Kıztası Neighborhood in Fatih are explained. As the Hagia Sophia was built, a girl with talismanic powers carried a large column here. A spiritual being comes and tells her that she should not carry the column. The girl, who left the stone and came to Sultanahmet Square, discovers that the entity is lying and goes to the place where the stone is. However, he has lost his magical powers to carry the column and cannot move the stone again. According to this legend, which belongs to the Romans, the name of the column is called Kıztası (Column of Marcian).
Barbaros Monument
It was built in 1944 in memory of the famous Ottoman admiral Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha. The Barbaros Monument, which is made of bronze, is located in Beşiktaş. Navy Day and Navy Day are celebrated every year in front of the ten-meter monument which has become the symbol of the district. Zuhtu Muridoglu and Ali Hadi Bara three bronze figures on the monument, which stands open, ready to attack looks. The front of the base is about 3 meters high, symbolizing the ship's bow and deck.
Column of Cemberlitas
The column is located in Çemberlitas, one of the seven hills of Istanbul. It was built in the name of Emperor Constantine I. in 330 BC. The height of this column, known to have been brought from Constantinople by the Temple of Apollo in Rome, is 57 meters. The 8 monumental columns erected on a hill in the neighborhood are connected by bracelets, each weighing 3 tons and measuring 3 meters in diameter. In 1081, the column was broken by lightning and it was repaired by Alexios I. and it was placed on its base and a large cross. After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the cross on it was lowered.
