BJK İnönü Stadium
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| Beşiktaş İnönü Stadium | |
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| Full name | Beşiktaş İnönü Stadium |
| Location | Beşiktaş |
| Built | 1939–1947 |
| Opened | May 19, 1947 |
| Owner | Beşiktaş J.K. |
| Former names | Dolmabahçe Stadium Mithat Paşa Stadium |
| Tenants | Beşiktaş J.K. |
| Capacity | 32,086[1] |
| Field dimensions | 105 x 68 m |
Beşiktaş İnönü Stadium (Turkish: Beşiktaş İnönü Stadyumu) is the home of the football club Beşiktaş J.K. in Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in Dolmabahçe, close to the elegant Dolmabahçe Palace in the district of Beşiktaş, on the European side of Istanbul. The stadium has a capacity of 32,086[2] (all-seater). It is the first modern stadium in Istanbul. The perennial rivals of Beşiktaş J.K.; Galatasaray S.K. and Fenerbahçe S.K., had also played at İnönü for many years, since İnönü was the only modern stadium in Istanbul until the 1960s. Between 1921 and 1939, the three clubs had previously played at the Taksim Stadium[1] on Taksim Square, which was located inside the courtyard of the Ottoman era Taksim Artillery Barracks (Taksim Topçu Kışlası) built by Sultan Abdülmecid I in the 1840s; the surrounding walls of which were transformed into tribunes. Taksim Stadium was demolished in 1939 and was replaced with the present-day Taksim Park (Taksim Gezi Parkı) in the 1940s and 1950s.
Beşiktaş İnönü Stadium has four stands: The Kapalı tribune which is parallel to the pitch at the north side can hold up to 5,881 supporters and it is regarded as the heart of the stadium, since the most fanatic supporters prefer this tribune. Facing the Kapalı tribune, at the opposite side, is the Numaralı with a seating capacity of 5,237. The tribunes behind the goal areas are Eski Açık with a seating capacity of 7,962, and Yeni Açık with a seating capacity of 13,065. There are two towers on the left and right side of the Eski Açık tribune which is accepted as a historical monument. A leasing contract was signed between Beşiktaş JK and the related ministry on February 8, 1998, which gave all usage rights of the İnönü Stadium to Beşiktaş JK for 49 years.
According to the great football legend Pelé, BJK İnönü Stadium has the most beautiful view of any stadium in the world, is one of the world's most beautiful football venues,[2] and is definitely the most beautiful stadium in Europe.[3]
While seated on the tribunes of this stadium, one can see the Bosphorus, Dolmabahçe Palace, Dolmabahçe Clock Tower, Dolmabahçe Mosque, and the famous Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower). It is the only stadium in the world from which a football fan can view two continents, Europe and Asia, which are separated by the Bosphorus.
In the past, the games were used to be played in front of more than 45,000 spectators in this stadium, since the tribunes did not have separate individual seats. İnönü Stadium is a holy place for Beşiktaş fans, because it has seen many victories against famous European football clubs, such as FC Barcelona, Liverpool, Marseille, Paris Saint Germain, AC Milan, and many others. Beşiktaş fans are proud of the İnönü Stadium's record of football's loudest ever decibel level (132dB) in a match against Fenerbahçe,[4] breaking the previous record which was held by the Liverpool fans in Anfield.
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[edit] History
BJK İnönü Stadium was designed by Italian architect Paolo Vietti Violi, who collaborated with Turkish architects Şinasi Şahingiray and Fazıl Aysu for preparing the project. The stable of the Dolmabahçe Palace was chosen as the location to build the stadium. The first foundation was laid on May 19, 1939, but the construction works were frozen due to the outbreak of the Second World War. The stadium was inaugurated on May 19, 1947, by İsmet İnönü, the second President of Turkey, and Lütfi Kırdar, the Governor of Istanbul. The initial capacity was 16,000. In the original project plan, there were two bronze statues of athlete figures at the Eski Açık tribune: One throwing a discus, and the other one throwing a javelin. However, the statues were never built due to financial concerns. The oil factory which was found behind the stadium was demolished to construct the Yeni Açık tribune at the west part of the stadium in 1950 (hence the name Yeni Açık, meaning the New Uncovered tribune; referring to the two covered tribunes (Numaralı and Kapalı) and the two uncovered tribunes (Eski Açık and Yeni Açık).) Yeni Açık was also covered with a separate roof structure in 2004. Galatasaray S.K. and Fenerbahce S.K. have shared the stadium with Beşiktaş JK for many years, since the construction of the Ali Sami Yen Stadium, which is the home of Galatasaray football club, was completed in 1964. Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, the home of Fenerbahce S.K., was completed in 1982.
The first football match at the İnönü Stadium took place between Beşiktaş JK and the Swedish AIK football clubs on November 27, 1947, and the first goal in the stadium was scored by Süleyman Seba; the most famous and longest-presiding Chairman of the club (in the 1980s and 1990s) when he used to be a player of Beşiktaş JK. Beşiktaş won this match 3-2. In 1952, the stadium was named as the Mithat Paşa Stadium, and later in 1973, it was renamed as the İnönü Stadium.
A renovation work took place at the BJK İnönü Stadium in 2004. The tartan track was removed within the scope of these activities and the ground level was lowered by 4 meters to increase the capacity of the stadium to 32,145 spectators. The press seats were relocated to the Numaralı tribune from the Kapalı tribune. The lounges that were found in the middle of the Kapalı tribune were demolished and for the first time in Turkey, the wire fence between the tribunes and the pitch were removed. The number of the gates were increased by 100%. A press center for BJK TV was built inside the stadium. The toilets and the launch counters were renewed. The Yeni Açık tribune was covered with a metallic structure. It complies with the UEFA standards.
[edit] Music
Besides football, BJK İnönü Stadium can be configured to hold many other events, particularly major concerts. The first stadium concert in Turkey was performed by Bryan Adams at the İnönü Stadium on July 28, 1992. Guns N' Roses performed on May 26, 1993, as part of the Use Your Illusion Tour. Metallica performed at the stadium on June 25, 1993, while Bon Jovi performed on September 13, 1993. Michael Jackson performed on September 23, 1993, as part of the Dangerous World Tour, completely selling out the tickets, with a capacity crowd of 56,000 which was a record for Istanbul. Madonna performed at the İnönü on October 7, 1993, as part of The Girlie Show Tour. They were followed by many other musicians and bands through the years.
Bryan Adams - July 28, 1992
Guns N' Roses - May 26, 1993
Metallica - June 25, 1993
Bon Jovi - September 13, 1993
Michael Jackson - September 23, 1993
Madonna - October 7, 1993
[edit] The new İnönü Stadium project
The club president Yıldırım Demirören has announced that a new stadium with a fully closed roof and a capacity of 42,000 spectators will be constructed. There will also be 200 luxury lodges which will entertain 6,000 spectators. The construction works are set to begin by June 2008, following the end of the promotion play-offs of the Bank Asya First League. Construction works are scheduled to be completed in 18 months, and the estimated cost of the project is $120 million.
Beşiktaş JK will play its matchs in the Istanbul Atatürk Olimpic Stadium in Istanbul during the construction phase of the new stadium. The new stadium will have a modern design and the site will include new features for entertainment, a theater, a congress center, a 5-star hotel, a parking facility which will be able to accommodate 2,700 vehicles and a large shopping center.
The project of the new stadium was designed by the architects of HOK Sport. Previously, the HOK Sport designed more than 400 stadiums, including the new Wembley Stadium and the Emirates Stadium of Arsenal F.C. in London. The old stadium will be demolished, except for the Eski Açık tribune, since this tribune and its towers are historical monuments. The Eski Açık tribune will be re-arranged like an antique amphitheater and will be covered with glass in order to protect the structure. The new stadium will be in harmony with the natural and historic landscape of the Bosporus when seen from the sea. The roof of the stadium will also be in glass, which can be closed and opened automatically. The sky will always be visible thanks to the glass dome. It will also be possible to reflect computerized images on the glass roof through LEDs.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Taksim Stadium
- ^ Daily Telegraph: "Derbies between the 'Black Eagles' of Besiktas and Galatasaray are known to be volatile, though the 45,000-capacity Inonu Stadium, set in a green and prosperous part of Istanbul, has been described by Pele as 'one of the most beautiful football grounds in the world'."
- ^ Daily Telegraph: "The Inonu Stadium, once described by Pele as the most beautiful in Europe, was a less than comfortable environment for Tottenham as soon as Besiktas' devoted fans found their voices."
- ^ Liverpool in danger of making an early exit - Football News - Telegraph
- ^ Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü: İşte muhteşem projelerimiz
[edit] External links
- Satellite Photo of İnönü Stadium
- Official website of Beşiktaş J.K.
- Beşiktaş J.K. official website: Project of the new İnönü Stadium
- Beşiktaş fans, orchestrated by Alen, performing their famous "Üçlü" (1-2-3) at BJK İnönü Stadium
- The organization of "Üçlü" (1-2-3) at the tribunes following the directions of Alen at the center of the field
