Istanbul's Karakoy tunnel celebrates 144th anniversary

By Hikmet Faruk Baser </p> <p>ISTANBUL (AA) – The Karakoy Tunnel, located in the heart of Turkey’s largest metropolis, Istanbul, celebrated its 144th anniversary on Thursday.</p> <p>The tunnel opened on Jan. 17, 1875, just hours after the London Underground.</p> <p>At a ceremony, Ahmet Bagis, the head of Istanbul’s electricity, tramway and tunnel management, hailed the anniversary.</p> <p>Haydar Ali Yildiz, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s mayoral candidate for Istanbul’s Beyoglu district, called Istanbul a “lucky city,” and added: “Binali Yildirim, former minister of transport and communications and former prime minister, is the AK Party’s candidate for greater Istanbul mayor.” </p> <p>With Yildirim at the helm, he said, Istanbul’s transportation would thrive.</p> <p>An exhibit about the historical subway will be open until the end of January.</p> <p>Karakoy station, formerly known as Galata and Pera, connects the districts of Karakoy and Beyoglu and is considered one of the oldest subterranean urban railway stations in the world. </p> <p> </p> <p>