BalatBalat TourFeneristanbul colorful stairsistanbul Tourjewish heratge istanbulphotographyTour Guideumbrella street istanbulwhere to go in istanbul
Explore Fener & Balat (Top Things To Do)
The former Greek neighborhood Fener and nearby the old Jewish quarter Balat, situated on the southern shore of Golden Horn, have very rich historical heritage and very popular tourist zone of Istanbul. Fener and Balat have become a touristic place with the recent contributions in the field of tourism.
The region is very famous with both locals and tourists. The main squares are quite colorful with touristy cafes and restaurants. At the same time, the region is crowded with antique shops. There is a UNESCO/EU project in the region to restore the many buildings together with Balat.
Fener (the Vatican of the Greeks)
Being a very impressive neighborhood, Fener offers a fantastic experience to its visitors with its authentic atmosphere including many interesting churches, Fener Greek Patriarchate, unusual architecture and splendor, Fener Greek High School for Boys, narrow streets and slopes with colorful cafes, restaurants and antique shops.
The neighborhood of Balat, which is adjacent to Fener, also fascinates visitors like Fener with its colorful cafes and restaurants, antique and vintage shops, traces of Jewish heritage, various synagogues and churches. Balat has been home to Greek-speaking Jews since the Byzantines. However, in the 15th century, the Sephardics who were exiled from Spain settled in Balat.
The Balat area also very rich with Byzantine heritage. Being an old Jewish quarter, it has always been a poorer one than Fener. There is a big number of Jewish population in Balat, so that you may find many synagogues and Jewish establishments, as well as some churches and mosques.
Fener has been a Greek district since the 16th century and the wealthy Greeks who lived there also came to important positions in the Ottoman period. The Greeks continued to live in Fener until the mid-20th century. Afterwards has been more resident by the poor immigrants from eastern Turkey.
The Balat area also very rich with Byzantine heritage. Being an old Jewish quarter, it has always been a poorer one than Fener. There is a big number of Jewish population in Balat, so that you may find many synagogues and Jewish establishments, as well as some churches and mosques.
Fener has been a Greek district since the 16th century and the wealthy Greeks who lived there also came to important positions in the Ottoman period. The Greeks continued to live in Fener until the mid-20th century. Afterwards has been more resident by the poor immigrants from eastern Turkey.
Did you know that Fener is the “Vatican of the Greek Orthodoxy”?
Fener houses, the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Bulgarian Church of St. Stephen, which is one of few prefabricated cast iron churches in the world. The Fener Greek Patriarchate is still mother-church for Greek Orthodox Christianity worldwide.Things to Do & See
Balat (an old Jewish quarter)
Fener and around
Fener center and the cafes area
- Join my Balat Tour in Jewish Neighborhood
The Fener Greek Patriarchate & the St. George Church
Fener Greek High School for Boys (Red Castle – Red School)
When you look at Fener from a distance, you surely will catch this building on first sight that stands out with its red silhouette and magnificent architecture, which most people say should be a church. In fact, this is the Fener Greek High School for Boys. Also known as the Red Castle or the Red School, it is also one of the favorite photograph taking places for visitors with its gorgeous structure, which is reached by crossing a long slope, and which makes you raise your head even when you come to its door.
The building was built with red bricks and building materials brought from France in 1881. In fact, the grandeur of the building proves how rich and important this area was at the time.
Fener Antik Mezat (Antiques Auction place)
Located on the Vodina Street, the Fener Antik Mezat is a perfect place that attracts the attention of visitors with its auctions that start after 3 pm. in the afternoon and continue until 8 pm. in the evening. Here you can find a wide range of antiques at a reasonable price and purchase for your loved ones.
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Iron Church, Aya Istefanos)
The Bulgarian Church (Aya Istefanos / Sveti Stefan), also known as the Iron Church, is located on the coast of the Golden Horn, close to the Fener district. The iron molds used in the structure were brought from Vienna in 1871 by ship. The church was built for the Bulgarian minority that left the Fener Greek Patriarchate.
Church of Our Lady of the Mongols (Bloody Church)
Balat and around
Balat market, vintage and antique shops area
Balat Toy Museum
This is a fantastic toy museum showcases the variety of lovely toys that will make you have a journey from the past to the present and into the future. Here you’ll enjoy the great toy collections gathered from the various parts of the world, as well as specially produced toys and workshops suitable for every age group. You ‘ll definitely find a piece of yourself here.
The Balat Toy Museum welcome its guests in a 1000m² historical building and has 17.000 pieces of toys in 15 categories. You and your kids can have a great day out here and experience the old Istanbul in the historical streets of Balat.
The museum is open every day of the week between
10:00 and 20:00.
The Merdivenli (Stairs) Ramp and Historical Balat Houses
The Corbaci Cesmesi ramp, also known as the Merdivenli (Stair) ramp, is a very popular place where both locals and tourists are very much interested and have lots of photos taken. When you visit Balat, we recommend you to visit this restored area within the scope of UNESCO Cultural Heritage project.
Ferruh Kethuda Mosque
Ahrida Synagogue
Surp Hresdagabet Armenian Church
0 comments