Sulukule
title: "Sulukule" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["quarters-of-fatih", "romani-communities-in-turkey", "populated-places-established-in-the-15th-century"] topic_path: "geography/turkey" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulukule" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Sulukule |
| native_name_lang | |
| settlement_type | Quarter |
| image_skyline | SulukuleHouse14.jpg |
| image_caption | Sulukule district |
| pushpin_map | Istanbul Fatih |
| coordinates | |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | |
| subdivision_type1 | Region |
| subdivision_name1 | Marmara |
| subdivision_type2 | Province |
| subdivision_name2 | Istanbul |
| subdivision_type3 | District |
| subdivision_name3 | Fatih |
| established_title | Established |
| established_date | 15th century |
| unit_pref | US |
| population_density_sq_mi | auto |
| timezone1 | TRT |
| utc_offset1 | +3 |
| postal_code_type | Postal code |
| postal_code | 34091, 34093, 34097 |
| area_code_type | Area code |
| area_code | 0212 |
| website | |
| :: |
| name = Sulukule | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = Quarter | image_skyline = SulukuleHouse14.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Sulukule district | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Istanbul Fatih | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Marmara | subdivision_type2 = Province | subdivision_name2 = Istanbul | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = Fatih | established_title = Established | established_date = 15th century | founder = | unit_pref = US | area_footnotes = | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_ft = | population_footnotes = | population_total = | population_as_of = | population_density_sq_mi= auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = TRT | utc_offset1 = +3 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 34091, 34093, 34097 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 0212 | iso_code = | website = | footnotes = Sulukule (literally: "Water tower") is a historic quarter in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is within the area of Istanbul’s historic peninsula, adjacent to the western part of the city walls. The area has historically been occupied by Romani communities. Roma presence in this part of Istanbul dates back to Byzantine times, when upon Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, that the quarter became (reportedly) the first district in the world permanently settled by sedentary Romani people in Turkey.
Sulukule was notable for its entertainment houses, where the Romani performed music and dance to the visitors from in and outside Istanbul. The closure of these entertainment houses in 1992 precipitated serious socio-economic decline in the area.
Redevelopment and gentrification
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/SulukuleHouse1.jpg" caption="Redevelopment project details"] ::
In 2005, the ruling AKP authorities in the Fatih and Greater Istanbul municipalities announced plans to redevelop Sulukule, demolishing most buildings and replacing them with far more expensive housing that was unaffordable to many who had previously lived there. Despite protests and objections, in 2008 the local government started compulsory purchase orders and forced evictions. It is claimed that these evictions disproportionately affected Romani residents.
The redevelopment has since been used as a case study in "planned gentrification".
Notable people
- Sema Yildiz Romani dancer and actress.
Gallery
SulukuleHouse12.jpg SulukuleHouse13.jpg SulukuleHouse15.jpg
References
- Mimarizm.com. Brief History of Sulukule. 2008.
References
- Le Bas, Damien. (2025-09-27). "Inside one of Istanbul's most ancient quarters, the vibrant neighborhood of Balat".
- "İSTANBUL ÇİNGENELERİ".
- Letsch, Constanze. (2011-11-09). "Turkish Roma make way for property developers in historic Istanbul district". The Guardian.
- "Turkey's Roma demand equality".
- (2016-01-06). "A Critical Analysis of Urban Regeneration Projects in Turkey: Displacement of Romani Settlement Case". Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences.
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