Bebek, Istanbul
Encyclopedia
Bebek is a historic Istanbul
neighbourhood that falls within the boundaries and administration of the Beşiktaş
district. It is located on the European shores of the Bosphorus and is surrounded by similarly affluent neighbourhoods such as Arnavutköy
, Etiler
and Rumeli Hisarı.
The direct translation of the word "Bebek" from Turkish
is "baby", which is a reference to the neighborhood's attractive positioning on the Bosphorus with its deep, sheltered bay and sweeping views in both directions along the waterway. It is believed to be a shortened form of "Boğaz'ın Gözbebeği", which translates, literally, as "the pupil
of the Bosphorus", or more appropriately, "the apple of Bosphorus' eye", as the literal translation of "pupil" in Turkish is "eye baby".
Bebek was a popular residential district under Ottoman
rule, and continues to be so today. Its population reflected the diverse society of the time, which is still visible in Bebek's historic architecture and contemporary constituencies.
Bebek is also home to Boğaziçi Üniversitesi, i.e. Bosphorus University, a public university established in 1971 that is one of Turkey
's premier institutions of higher education. The University occupies the buildings and grounds of the now-defunct higher education division of Robert College
- a historic American academic institution founded in 1863 by wealthy New York merchant Christopher Robert
and American missionary
and educator Cyrus Hamlin
. Following the coeducational merger of the formerly all-male Robert College with sister school American College for Girls, all operations of the former were moved from Bebek to the wooded Arnavutköy
campus of the latter, where it continues to operate as the leading institution of secondary education in Turkey.
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
neighbourhood that falls within the boundaries and administration of the Beşiktaş
Besiktas
Beşiktaş is a municipality of Istanbul, Turkey, located on the European shore of the Bosphorus. It is bordered on the north by Sarıyer and Şişli, on the west by Kağıthane and Şişli, on the south by Beyoğlu, and on the east by the Bosphorus...
district. It is located on the European shores of the Bosphorus and is surrounded by similarly affluent neighbourhoods such as Arnavutköy
Arnavutköy
Arnavutköy is a historic neighborhood in Istanbul, Turkey, famous for its wooden Ottoman mansions and fish restaurants as well as the prestigious Robert College campus with its centennial buildings...
, Etiler
Etiler
Etiler is a neighbourhood on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey, located in the district of Beşiktaş, close to the business quarters of Levent and Maslak....
and Rumeli Hisarı.
The direct translation of the word "Bebek" from Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
is "baby", which is a reference to the neighborhood's attractive positioning on the Bosphorus with its deep, sheltered bay and sweeping views in both directions along the waterway. It is believed to be a shortened form of "Boğaz'ın Gözbebeği", which translates, literally, as "the pupil
Pupil
The pupil is a hole located in the center of the iris of the eye that allows light to enter the retina. It appears black because most of the light entering the pupil is absorbed by the tissues inside the eye. In humans the pupil is round, but other species, such as some cats, have slit pupils. In...
of the Bosphorus", or more appropriately, "the apple of Bosphorus' eye", as the literal translation of "pupil" in Turkish is "eye baby".
Bebek was a popular residential district under Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
rule, and continues to be so today. Its population reflected the diverse society of the time, which is still visible in Bebek's historic architecture and contemporary constituencies.
Bebek is also home to Boğaziçi Üniversitesi, i.e. Bosphorus University, a public university established in 1971 that is one of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
's premier institutions of higher education. The University occupies the buildings and grounds of the now-defunct higher education division of Robert College
Robert College
Robert College of Istanbul , is one of the most selective independent private high schools in Turkey. Robert College is a co-educational, boarding school with a wooded campus on the European side of Istanbul between the two bridges on the Bosphorus, with the Arnavutköy district to the east, and...
- a historic American academic institution founded in 1863 by wealthy New York merchant Christopher Robert
Christopher Robert
Christopher Robert of New York was the founder of Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey in 1863, the oldest American school outside the United States.-References:...
and American missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and educator Cyrus Hamlin
Cyrus Hamlin
Cyrus Hamlin was an American Congregational missionary and educator, the father of A. D. F. Hamlin....
. Following the coeducational merger of the formerly all-male Robert College with sister school American College for Girls, all operations of the former were moved from Bebek to the wooded Arnavutköy
Arnavutköy
Arnavutköy is a historic neighborhood in Istanbul, Turkey, famous for its wooden Ottoman mansions and fish restaurants as well as the prestigious Robert College campus with its centennial buildings...
campus of the latter, where it continues to operate as the leading institution of secondary education in Turkey.
External links
- Great Istanbul – Bebek neighborhood in Istanbul
- Association of Bebekians also in English– Bebekliler Derneği