Eminönü, Istanbul

Eminönü ( see note below )

Eminönü has relatively few residents and in 2009 its administration merged with that of the neighbouring district of Fatih, from which it had separated in 1928.

The quayside at Eminönü, an area at the southern end of the Galata Bridge, is perhaps best known today as being the departure point of ferryboats to various places up and down the Bosphorus.
Historically there were Byzantine harbours nearby. By the 12th century several Italian city-states had gained trading concessions in the area. In the Ottoman era Eminönü became a major commercial port for Stamboul.

After Turkish independence it gave its name to an administrative district covering the eastern part of the peninsula originally occupied by the city of Byzantium.
Being the location of the Topkapı Palace, Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and many other historic sites, the district is a major tourist destination.
_____________________________________________