Neşetsuyu Nature Park

About

Neşetsuyu Nature Park lies in the Sarıyer district of İstanbul and is one of nine nature parks within the Belgrad Forest. Designated on 11 July 2011, the 67.47-hectare area is named after Müderris Neşet Bey, who served as rector of the Orman Mektebi Âlisi, today's İstanbul University Faculty of Forestry. Oak and hornbeam dominate the woodland, with various small trees and shrubs in between. The Belgrad Forest is home to wild boar, golden jackal, roe deer, fox, marten, squirrel and hedgehog, as well as birds such as buzzard, sparrowhawk, woodpecker and chaffinch. In the park's southwest stands Büyük Bent, a reservoir dam belonging to the Kırkçeşme water supply system, and the site also contains the remains of a listed cistern and an open-air prayer niche (namazgah). Facilities include a country restaurant, kiosk, small mosque, picnic units and children's playgrounds, and a 6 km running and walking trail around Büyük Bent starts and ends here.