Once known by its name in French "Grand Rue de Pera" before being renamed İstiklal (Independence) in the early years of the Republic, Beyoğlu’s main boulevard is a striking symbol of Turkey’s evolving identity. This bustling pedestrian avenue, lined with shops, cafés, and cultural venues, captures Istanbul’s unique blend of past and present. By day, it thrives as a commercial and social hub, while at night, it comes alive with music, nightlife, and vibrant street energy. İstiklal, joint with the Taksim Square in its beginning, can easily be counted as a concrete example of the modernization of Turkey.