Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden

Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden in Istanbul’s Ümraniye district began as a memorial project created by Ali Nihat Gökyiğit in honour of his wife. A green area around a road interchange gradually became a botanical garden managed by the TEMA and Gökyiğit foundations. The collection is organised into themed areas, including an Anatolian flora garden with rare native plants, a rock garden with alpine plants and succulents, an arboretum with trees from around the world and a medicinal-plant garden. The garden supports local wildlife such as birds, butterflies and small mammals. Walking paths lead through varied landscapes, with picnic areas, an information centre and library, an eco-souvenir shop, and bridges and tunnels connecting the garden’s “islands.” Each plant has a label giving its name and information.

The garden runs educational programmes for all ages. Schoolchildren take part in interactive workshops and guided tours on botany and ecology, adults can attend lectures and seminars on gardening and conservation, and volunteers help care for plants and maintain the grounds. The garden is open year-round, with each season revealing its own colours and plant displays.