Goksu Stream

It is a river that flows into the sea from the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, flows through the provinces of Antalya, Konya, Karaman and Mersin and flows into the Mediterranean at the south of the Silifke district of Mersin province, which is the other end.

When the Kağıthane picnic area left its glorious days behind after the Janissary Revolt, Mahmut I had a magnificent wooden mansion built on the shores of the Göksu, which would change the fate of the district. Then, rural coffeehouses began to be built one after another around the Göksu.

Daily walks, boat rides, moonlight parties, orta oyunu, and fasıls turned Göksu into one of the social centers of the city in the 17th century. Murat IV did not remain indifferent to this unique district; he revived its surroundings and named it Gümüş Cypress.

Göksu, located right next to the Anadolu Hisarı, has still not lost its historical texture and has managed to remain one of the rare places in Istanbul where one can breathe with its trees that remain green even in the winter months and century-old plane trees on the banks of the stream. Göksu Creek, which dates back to the Byzantine period and was known as ‘Potamion’ or ‘small river’ at that time, is also a fishing shelter. Göksu River has been taken under protection by the Ministry of Environment due to its special natural structure.

In addition, water sports are performed in a 90 km section starting from the south of Göksu Creek. Since it is generally a slow-flowing river, it is extremely suitable for beginners to gain experience in rafting.

Photo Source: https://hepgezsem.com/2019/goksu-deresi/