Historical Schools in Istanbul

Istanbul has an important place in history not only with its places to visit but also with its educational institutions. With its schools that have left their mark on the history of education for centuries, there are many educational institutions in Istanbul, from high schools to military schools and universities. Most of the school buildings have witnessed important events in history. Students studying in these institutions, which still provide education today, have the opportunity to see and learn the traces of those moments in these places where important events in history took place while continuing their education.

As GeziBilen, we will introduce you to some historical schools in Istanbul in this article. If you happen to be in Istanbul, you can visit these schools during your trip and witness the traces of history live.

Here are some historical schools in Istanbul and their stories.

Boğaziçi University

Founded on September 16, 1863 by Cyrus Hamlin and Christopher Robert, all of the buildings in the area known as the South Campus today were transferred to the Republic of Turkey on September 10, 1971 for the establishment of an independent university.

In August 1971, the Turkish Grand National Assembly began discussing the articles regarding the transfer of the school to the state. Although some deputies wanted the school to be named Fatih University, this request was not accepted and the school was renamed Boğaziçi University. Boğaziçi University, which was officially transferred to Turkey on September 10, started its first classes on September 20. The first rector of the university is Abdullah Kuran.

Today, Boğaziçi University, which has a total area of ​​1,672,106 m2 and six campuses, is among the universities preferred by students who receive the highest scores in the Higher Education Institutions Exam.

Galatasaray High School

The institution where Enderun students in Topkapı Palace received their primary and secondary education was founded under the name "Galata Palace Hearth" during the reign of Sultan Beyazıd II. Closed in 1675, the Galata Palace Hearth was used as a medical school and military barracks under the name of “Galata Palace Madrasah” from 1715 to 1820 as one of the most important institutions of the Ottoman Empire. Later, the school, which was named Galatasaray High School, was reopened on September 1, 1868 to educate students of a similar quality to high school education in France. Since there were Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish students at the school, students were given preparatory education in French or Turkish according to their language skills.

In 1924, the institution began education in accordance with the revolutions of the Republic. The obligation to speak French during breaks was abolished and general culture courses began to be given in Turkish. A celebration was organized in 1968 as the 100th anniversary of the school, and the French President of the time, Charles De Gaulle, attended this celebration.

In 1975, the school became an Anatolian High School and the education period was 8 years. Since 1975, the high school, which provided education in the Anatolian High School category, has French, Turkish, English, Italian and Latin as its language of education.

Istanbul University

There are many claims about the establishment of Istanbul University. According to foreign historians, there was an institution that provided medical, law and literature education similar to Roman universities in the location where Istanbul University's central building in Beyazıt Campus is located today. This institution was founded on March 1, 1321. In other words, some historians believe that the founding year of Istanbul University was 1321.

Turkish historians accept the founding year of Istanbul University as 1453. According to historians, it was decided to establish an educational institution in Istanbul the day after the conquest of Istanbul. Thereupon, Sahn-ı Seman Madrasahs, which were opened in 1470, are accepted as the first place where Istanbul University provided education. For this reason, the establishment date of Istanbul University is written as 1453 on its logo.

During the Ottoman Period, the first university called Darülfünûn-ı Şahane was opened on August 31, 1900. Istanbul University, which continues its education life today, is the direct continuation of this institution.

The Republic of Turkey recognized the legal personality of the Istanbul University on April 21, 1924. However, the Republic of Turkey, which nationalized primary and secondary education with the Tevhid-i Tedrisat Law dated March 4, 1924, approached the autonomous status of the University with suspicion. After this incident, the administration of the Republic of Turkey and the university came face to face many times. The first incident that came face to face was the objection of the University Student Union to the proposal to send a congratulatory message after the declaration of the Republic in 1923, “with the idea that the University should remain outside of political movements.”

The final straw after many incidents was that the University did not accept the Turkish history and language theses that Atatürk had adopted since 1930.in the form of not showing interest. In 1932, the opposition of some professors to Atatürk's theses at the Turkish History Congress brought about the end of the university.

With a law enacted in July 1933, Darülfünun and all institutions affiliated with it, together with their staff and organizations, were abolished. The university, which opened with a new staff and structure on August 1, 1933, began its educational life as the first university of the Republic of Turkey on November 18, 1933. Today, Istanbul University has been among the world's top 500 universities every year since 2006.

Istanbul Boys' High School

Formerly known as Istanbul Sultanisi, it was founded during the Ottoman period. The institution, which is the continuation of Numune-i Terraki School, continues its education life as an Anatolian High School today. Although it says Boys' High School in its name, it provides mixed education. Students are given courses from the curricula of the Turkish and German education systems. German teachers teach some courses. The education period is five years including preparatory education.

Marmara University

Marmara University, which started its education life on January 16, 1883, produced its first graduates in 1887. The first graduates of the university were 13 people in total. The school, which was connected to the Ministry of Education on September 21, 1889, was closed in 1893 for reform and reopening later. The school, which reopened on October 15, 1897, has continued its education life since that day.

The school, which became the Istanbul Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences in 1959, was named Marmara University in 1982 and started its education life.

Kabataş Boys High School

Kabataş Boys High School is one of the oldest and most established high schools in Turkey, continuing its education life since 1908. It was established on March 7, 1908 with the decree of the then Sultan Abdulhamid II under the name of "Kabataş Mekteb-i İdadisi". The purpose of the establishment of the high school was to train distinguished administrators for the Islamic world. Many teachers and senior students from Kabataş Boys High School, as well as from other schools, participated in the Balkan Wars. As a result of the great sadness caused by the war in the country and the general mourning declared, the colors of the school's flag were changed from red and white to red and black.

Kuleli Military High School

Kuleli Military High School was established on September 21, 1845 under the name of Mekteb-i Fünun-ı İdadiye in Maçka Barracks, which is currently used as Istanbul Technical University. After the Great Offensive ended in victory, it was handed over to the Turkish administration by the British with the Lausanne Negotiations. The school was turned into a civilian high school with the law enacted in 1924. Its name became Kuleli High School. This practice was terminated at the end of the same year. The school became a military high school again.

The purpose of Kuleli Military High School was to train officers for the Turkish Armed Forces and students for the Military Academy. It was closed on July 31, 2016 within the scope of the state of emergency declared after the military coup attempt in our country in 2016.

Written by: Berkay Yenidünya