The Flood Disaster in Istanbul in 1563

Imagine such a flood that people, They had reached the point where they could swim on land!

Affecting people’s livesHow did this disaster that caused great losses occur?

Istanbul has been affected by many natural disasters throughout history.

However One of the most devastating of these disasters, It was a major flood disaster, especially in the 16th century. Istanbul, which had not been on the agenda for many flood disasters in the past, was shaken by this incident. The flood that occurred in the Kağıthane district of Istanbul on August 24, 1553 literally turned the city into a war zone.

Floods generally occur after heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage systems It causes huge destruction and floods in places. This problem, which has not been completely solved even today, has also troubled people for centuries.

Moreover, this disaster not only caused death for the people but also for the sultan.

According to the sources of the period, Suleiman the Magnificent, who was on the Ottoman throne at the time, barely escaped with his life in this heavy rain in Istanbul. The rains, which started at midnight in 1563 and increased rapidly, caused the Golden Horn, Galata, Places close to the Bosphorus, Halkalı, Silivri, Küçükçekmece and Büyükçekmece caused great destruction in the regions.

Sources providing information about the disaster, water levels reaching the tops of large plane trees in Kağıthane He says that it has risen to the point where the water shortage that started in the city put the people in a difficult situation and many houses caught fire due to lightning strikes.

Suleiman the Magnificent was caught in the effects of a sudden heavy rainfall near Halkalı Creek, where he went hunting that day.

In Yesilkoy Alexander To Celebi Garden The Sultan who took refuge had risked his life with the rapidly rising water. The successful Sultan of the Ottoman Empire had been in mortal danger in such a disaster. A young Janissary prevented the danger by carrying the Sultan on his back and carrying him away from the region.

After the disaster, Suleiman the Magnificent took immediate action and since the aqueducts and bridges in the city were badly damaged, he started repairs under the leadership of Mimar Sinan. He started work to restore any damaged area in the region to its former state.

This effort by Suleiman the Magnificent solved Istanbul’s water problem, albeit temporarily.

In the seven worlds “Suleiman the Magnificent” Suleiman the Magnificent, known as the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, showed how he lived up to his title with the calm solutions he found to the problems that arose during his reign.

Today, after the disasters that have occurred in many parts of our country, the work and repairs that have been waiting for days are centuries old. to be able to foresee the ‘disaster’ before it happens sets a good example.

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