Saraçhane is one of the oldest neighborhoods of İstanbul, which has been the host of three great civilizations. It is located between the Valens (Bozdoğan) Aqueduct, Şehzadebaşı, Zeyrek and the Column of Marcian (Kıztaşı). The Valens Aqueduct, which was constructed in the 4th century to bring water to the city, and which was also used during the Ottoman era, is the oldest structure in Saraçhane.

The neighborhood experienced its essential development during the Ottoman Era. Mehmed the Conqueror procured the establishment of İstanbul Saraçhane (Saddlery) in the year 1475. As for another historical building located between the neighborhood, which has become famous in time through its artisans, Is the Şehzade Mosque. The mosque was constructed by Sinan, upon the order of 10th Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, in memory of his son Şehzade (Prince) Mehmet, who had died at the age of 22. Sinan defined the mosque, which it built between the years 1543 and 1548, as his masterpiece of his apprenticeship period.

Great fires and improvement movements caused important changes in the physical and social structure of Saraçhane. The neighborhood lost the characteristic of being and artisan area, and became an important junction point of the city. Atatürk Boulevard, which was opened during the Republican Era, and which virtually divided the neighborhood in two, became an important gain for the city traffic. However, during the subsequent years, the traffic jam at the intersection of Atatürk Boulevard and Şehzadebaşı Caddesi, became a big problem. The elevation of Atatürk Boulevard was lowered during the era of İstanbul’s first elected mayor, Haşim İşcan, and the Şehzadebaşı Underpass was constructed. The name of the underpass was replaced with the name of the deceased mayor, and became Haşim İşcan Underpass.

The City Hall of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality is also located at Saraçhane. The City Hall, whose construction lasted 7 years, consists of two buildings connected to each other, one 3-storied and the other 11-storied. The mayoralty office is located in the short building, while various directorates and service units are located in the tall building. There is also a fountain pool, with a dimension of 24 x 60 meters, in front of the City Hall.