On February 19, 2025, Bahçeköy was blanketed in a thick layer of snow, transforming the quiet streets and old buildings into a picturesque winter scene. From my window, I watched as heavy snowflakes fell steadily, covering the rooftops, parked cars, and trees. The muted sounds of footsteps and the occasional car breaking through the fresh snow reminded me of how peaceful this part of Istanbul can be during winter. The usually green landscape of Belgrad Forest, just beyond Bahçeköy, lay hidden under the white expanse, adding to the serene atmosphere.
One of the most striking sights from my window is the Bahçeköy Central Mosque, its domes and minaret standing tall against the snowy backdrop. This mosque was not originally built as a mosque but as a church in the 19th century. It was likely a place of worship for the Serbian community that once lived here. Many Serbs were forcibly relocated to the Ottoman capital following the 1521 Siege of Belgrade when Suleiman the Magnificent conquered the city. The thousands of Serbian families who settled in Thrace, including this area near Bahçeköy, gave their name to the vast Belgrad Forest, which remains one of Istanbul’s most important green spaces today.
During the Ottoman period, there was a Thracian village named Belgrad deep within the forest, inhabited by these deported Serbs. It played a vital role in supplying fresh water to Istanbul, as the region’s aqueducts and reservoirs were built to channel water into the growing Ottoman capital. Though the village no longer exists, the forest retains its name, serving as a historical reminder of the forced migration that shaped this part of Turkey. The church-turned-mosque in Bahçeköy is one of the few surviving architectural links to that forgotten history.
As I watched the snow settle over the mosque and surrounding homes, I couldn’t help but reflect on how many layers of history exist in this quiet corner of Istanbul. Bahçeköy may seem like just another small neighborhood near Belgrad Forest, but its past connects directly to major events in Ottoman history, European conquests, and religious transformations. On days like this, with the world outside covered in snow, it’s easier to see how time has shaped the streets, buildings, and people who call this place home.
This winter landscape, with its blend of natural beauty and historic depth, makes Bahçeköy feel almost frozen in time. The snow-covered rooftops, the silent minaret standing where a church bell once rang, and the memories of the lost Serbian village of Belgrad all add to the quiet mystery of the scene. While the snowfall may soon melt away, Bahçeköy’s layered history remains embedded in its streets, waiting for those who take the time to look.
Sources
- Belgrad Forest on Wikipedia
