Gülhane Park

Gülhane Park (Turkish: Gülhane Parkı, “Rosehouse Park”) is a historical urban park in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey; it covers an area of 9.7 ha, is adjacent to and on the grounds of the Topkapı Palace. The south entrance of the park sports one of the larger gates of the palace.

It is the oldest and one of the most expansive public parks in Istanbul. Located in the historic district of Fatih, just steps away from Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia, Gülhane Park offers a rare combination of lush natural beauty and deep-rooted imperial history.

Gülhane Park was once part of the outer garden of Topkapı Palace, and mainly consisted of a grove. Built as the outer garden of Topkapi Palace in the historic Sultanahmet district, the park was used as a recreation and entertainment area for sultans and courtiers during the Ottoman Empire. Opened to the public in 1912, Gülhane Park has been a favorite place for Istanbulites and tourists ever since.

The namesake of the park, the Gülhane (English: Rosehouse) present on the grounds, was the place where the 1839 Edict of Gülhane (Turkish: Tanzimât Fermanı or Gülhane Hatt-ı Şerif-î) was proclaimed. The edict launched the Tanzimat reforms in the Ottoman Empire, which modernized the empire and included changes such as the equalization of all Ottoman citizens, regardless of religion, before the law.

The park offers visitors a peaceful retreat with its centuries-old plane trees, rose gardens, tulip displays, and panoramic terraces providing spectacular views of the Golden Horn and Bosphorus. It houses several important historical monuments and museums, making it both a natural oasis and a cultural destination in the heart of Istanbul.