Description
Belgrad Forest is a natural wooded area located at the easternmost tip of the Çatalca Peninsula on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. To the east, it is bordered by the Bosphorus, and to the north, by the Black Sea, forming its natural boundaries. While it served as a crucial water source for Istanbul during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, today its use primarily leans towards recreational purposes due to its inadequate capacity to meet the city's water needs.
The forest takes its name from the village of Belgrade, where residents resettled with Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent after his campaign in Serbia. However, when it was discovered that the villagers were polluting the water sources, the village was relocated by the Sultan's decree. Subsequently, the first official measures were taken to protect the forest and its associated water sources.
Despite its relatively low elevation above sea level, Belgrad Forest receives abundant rainfall, characteristic of the region. This gives the forest a transitional climate between the Central European and Mediterranean climates, allowing different plant species to grow together in the same area. The forest is predominantly composed of deciduous trees and shrubs, with the sessile oak being the dominant tree species.
Belgrad Forest is an important area for wildlife in Istanbul and its surroundings, providing a natural habitat for numerous birds, reptiles, and mammals. Conservation measures and hunting bans have allowed endangered species to breed comfortably within its confines.
In terms of hydrology, the Belgrad Forest is rich in water resources and hosts numerous small and large rivers. During the Ottoman period, dams were constructed on some of these rivers, and there are a total of six historical dams scattered within the forest boundaries.
Currently, Belgrad Forest falls within the administrative boundaries of the Istanbul Regional Directorate of Forestry. In 1956, it was organized as a recreational and picnic area, opening its doors for public use.
