It is named after the village next to the forest, settled by thousands of Serbs who were deported to the capital Constantinople from the city of Belgrade in 1521,[2] when it fell to the Ottomans.

The Valens Aqueduct that straddles busy Atatürk Bulvarı as it runs uphill from the Golden Horn is the largest of the monuments commemorating the complex system needed to bring the water into the city during the 16th-18th centuries.

The older of the two was the Kırkçeşme system that directed water into town Eğrikapı hard against the city walls.

The Maǧlova Aqueduct is the largest, with its exceptional architecture, strength and structure, and with a little effort is accessible to the public from both ends and can be safely walked through on its lower level.

There are also some fenced-off areas and roads running through the Forest which can make finding a good walking route trickier.

[8] Eating & Drinking: One of the most common things for locals and travelers to do in Istanbul is to take a trip to the Belgrad Forest on the weekend to escape from the heat in the spring and summer months.

There are areas specifically for recreation and travelers are even allowed to use portable barbecues to enjoy with friends and family.

This area has its own cafe where you are able to bring your own food and cook on the long wooden tables; drinks and snacks are sold on-site.

[9] If you are planning on cooking your own BBQ, it is suggested that you pay attention and use caution as firefighting facilities are not well prepared to deal with forest fires in the area.