Fatih Sultan Mehmet Nature Park

About

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Nature Park lies within the Fatih Ormanı forest in the Sarıyer district of İstanbul and was designated in 2011. Named after the Ottoman sultan Fatih Sultan Mehmet (Mehmed the Conqueror), it covers about 111.85 hectares. Because it is close to the city centre, it is visited in every season, with the busiest periods in spring, summer and autumn. It lies on the left about 3 km along the Kemerburgaz road from Bahçeköy. The dense forest is mostly broadleaf, with conifers in places. Quercus vulcanica, Turkey oak, hornbeam, sweet chestnut, oriental plane, ash and black pine are among the main species. Roe deer, red squirrel, wild boar, jackal, fox and marten live here, as do birds such as the short-toed eagle, sparrowhawk, buzzard, blackbird and jay, along with the spur-thighed tortoise and the Italian wall lizard. The park has a fountain, a kiosk, a country restaurant, picnic units, a pond, a children's playground and gazebos. Forest paths are suitable for walking and cycling, and the area also lends itself to camping and orienteering. Care should be taken in the marshy sections at the edge of the pond.