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Kulaksız
I was going on foot from Taksim to Hasköy and I got lost somewhere in the hills of Beyoğlu (no navigator in my ancient phone) until all of a sudden I found myself in a place where there was a graveyard on both sides of the street. Kulaksız mezarlığı! I was on the map again but the funny name of that neighborhood (‘earless’ ) began to bother me.
While searching for Kulaksız I found this article based on a book by Mustafa Duman:
http://www.posta.com.tr/PostaKarnaval/HaberDetay/Istanbul-semtlerinin-adi-nereden-geliyor-.htm?ArticleID=137617
It introduces the origin of certain placenames in Istanbul. Such as
Üsküdar, a Persian word meaning ‘a post, a halting place’ which the area really was for the many occupants in history. In the ancient times Üsküdar was also called Hrisopolis (‘the Golden town’ ) for its beauty and Scütari after a military unit that was placed there.
Beyoğlu got its name from one of its powerful inhabitants, possibly Luigi Gritti, the son of the ambassador of Venice who had his mansion in Taksim suburbs of today and on whom Mehmet the Conqueror often bestowed favors. Mr. Gritti established gardens in the area and introduced new vegetables to Istanbul dwellers.
Beşiktaş was either named after a Bysantine time church which had the stone cradle of Jesus in it or after the five stones which Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa had his vessels anchored to when returning from his trips.
Galata used to be a strong Genovean fortress surrounded with high walls. Galata Tower was first built in 507 and it has since functioned as a lighthouse and a fire tower for example. Galata originally got its name from Gallian immigrants who settled at this area as early as 270 years B.C. Galata was also known as Sykea (‘fig’ ) and ‘the Napoli of Justinian’.
Kandilli means ‘the place with oil lamps’ and it probably refers to a real event, a celebration that took place in this area.
Kadıköy was named after Celalettin Efendi, the first muslim judge of Istanbul after the conquest of the city. He was the offspring of Nasreddin Hoca. The Byzantine name of Kadıköy way Chalcedon (‘city of the blind’ ) which referred to the obvious blindness of its habitants to see the value of the opposite peninsula’ ).
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I still did not learn where the placename Kulaksız comes from. Google obviously does not give answers to every question.
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