Beyoglu's old name in Greek was Pera. Pera's most intesting stretch from the Tunel in the Karakoy District all the way to the Taksim square, is the old street called Rue de Pera or Istiklal Caddesi which was once also called "Cadde-i Kebir" by the Otomans. During my Middle School and High school years, for seven years I had once walked and memorized every square inch of this street.
Translated from "Ozledigim Istanbul" Cem Ozmeral 2002