Sarıyer Municipality

Located in the north of the European side of the Istanbul Strait, Sarıyer is the neighbour of the Black Sea in the north, Eyüp in the west, Beşiktaş and Şişli in the south. The province is consisted of the hillside at the most eastern of Çatalca peninsula, the Istanbul strait on one side, and parts descending in the Black Sea. The district is established on an area of 17.505 ha. It consists of 38 dictricts in total with a population of 350.000. The name of the province which is Sarıyer today, has changed from Simas to Skletrinas, and later to Mezarburnu (Mesarburnu), Altınyer, Sarıyar and it finally became Sarıyer. The first name of Sarıyer, which is Simas, is known to mean “Holy Mother”, however it is stated as “Blessed/Jolly River” or “Blessed/Jolly Water” in some sources. With its 47 preschools, 50 elementary schools, 31 high schools and 8 universities Sarıyer has the potential to become the education and training centre of Istanbul. We are support this with our “Sarıyer Academy”, where we offer free courses to prepare secondary school sutdents for the entrance exams to colleges. Furthermore is Sarıyer the business and financial heart of Sarıyer, with its “Business Center Maslak” it is the heart of Istanbul. Many international companies like Vodafone, Honda has got their Headquarters in Sarıyer Maslak. Also the Sarıyer Municipality Building, which is the first and only “Smart and Green” public building of Europe, is in Maslak. The Embassies of China, of the USA, Austria, Iraq and Poland are also in Sarıyer. Sarıyer has a great potential in all kinds of tourism. In addition to its natural, historical and cultural values, it is one of the most important destination for sea tourism. Due to its long history, Sarıyer has many important historical buildings from the Byzantium and Ottoman times. In the district there are many historical buildings, religious buildings, fountains, lodges, cisterns, aqueducts, city walls, castles, tombs, mansions and waterside mansions. Hence, all these assets presents huge potential for cultural, historical and religious tourism.