Bereketzade Sneaker

Bereketzade — Around Every Corner, Another Story

At the foot of Galata Tower, Bereketzade is a maze of narrow lanes, historic stone buildings, terracotta rooftops, and unexpected views. The streets wind around the tower, revealing a new perspective at every turn. Sunlight catches the old masonry, cafés spill onto the sidewalks, and the neighborhood hums with a mix of local life and curious visitors exploring one of Istanbul’s most recognizable landmarks.

Galata Tower has watched over Istanbul for centuries, standing through the rise and fall of empires and the transformation of the city around it. Its history is woven into the identity of this neighborhood, where old architecture and contemporary life exist side by side. The result is a place that feels timeless without ever standing still.

For me, Bereketzade is much more than a beautiful part of Istanbul. Galata Tower was only about a five-minute walk from my first home in the city, and I spent countless hours exploring the surrounding shops, restaurants, and cafés. It quickly became part of my everyday life, a neighborhood I returned to not because I was a tourist looking for landmarks, but because it was simply one of my favorite places to be.

Even today, I have reasons to return. My hairdresser is still here, and I have found one of the best colorists I have ever worked with — at around half the price I would expect to pay in the United States. It is one of those wonderful Istanbul discoveries that make living here feel special: exceptional talent, tucked into a familiar neighborhood, at a price that makes you want to keep coming back.

Bereketzade is also part of my daily adventures with Külçe, my dog. We often walk from my home in Cihanger through Istiklal Cd and then downhill from the Galata area toward Bankalar Cd. and to our depot in Karaköy. It is one of those walks that never feels like just getting from one place to another. Along the way, there are historic façades to admire, little streets to explore, shops to discover, and beautiful views that make you slow down and look around.

That is what I love about this part of Istanbul. You can have a destination in mind, but the journey itself becomes the experience. A short walk turns into an afternoon of discoveries, and a familiar street can reveal something new each time you pass through it.

For The Streets of Istanbul, Bereketzade represents the curious spirit of exploration — the kind that comes from living in a city rather than simply visiting it. It celebrates the people, places, and everyday rituals that turn a destination into a personal story.

Some places stay with you because of what you see. Others stay with you because of the life you build around them. Bereketzade is both for me.

The upper is cut from a handwoven silk velvet carpet. Silk velvet is one of the most prized textiles in Turkish weaving. Its dense silk pile catches the light with a natural luster, feels exceptionally soft to the touch, and deepens in character with age. Carpets like this were made to be treasured, and each one represents hours of skilled handwork.