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, which caused great losses, occur?

Istanbul has been under the influence of 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 has not been on the agenda with many flood disasters in the past, was almost shaken by this incident. The flood that occurred in the Kâğıthane district of Istanbul on August 24, 1553, officially turned the city into a battlefield.

Floods that generally occur after heavy rains drainage systems are inadequate It causes massive destruction and floods in places. This problem, which is still not fully solved even today, caused people a lot of trouble centuries ago.

Moreover, this disaster affects not only the people; He also dragged the sultan to death.

According to the sources of the period, Suleiman the Magnificent, who was on the Ottoman throne at that time, barely escaped with his life in this heavy rain in Istanbul. In 1563, the rains that started at midnight and rapidly increased their effect, 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 it rose up to . While the water shortage in the city put the people in a difficult situation, many houses caught fire due to lightning strikes.

Suleiman the Magnificent, on the other hand, was affected by the sudden heavy rain around Halkalı Creek, where he went hunting that day.

in Yeşilköy Alexander To Çelebi Garden The sultan, who took shelter, risked his life with the rapidly rising water. The successful sultan of the Ottoman Empire was in danger of death in such a disaster. A young janissary averted the danger by taking the Sultan on his back and taking him away from the region.

After the disaster, Suleiman the Magnificent took immediate action and since the aqueducts and bridges in the city were greatly damaged, he started repairs under the leadership of Mimar Sinan. He initiated efforts to restore the damaged areas in the region to their former state.

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

In seven worlds “Suleiman the Magnificent” Suleiman the Magnificent, known as Suleiman the Magnificent, showed how he lived up to his title with the cool-headed solutions he found to the problems that occurred during his time.

Today, after the disasters experienced in many parts of our country, work and repairs that have been waiting for days have been completed centuries ago. ‘disaster’ can be predicted before it happens It sets a good example.

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