Balat, located in Istanbul, is one of the touristic places that has hosted many movies.. People are so accustomed to seeing cameras while walking on the streets that the days when they don’t see cameras on the streets are considered surprising.. You’ll feel like you’re in the 70’s as you wander the streets of Balat, which you’ll remember from the latest movie “Fig Jam”.. We would like to start our article titled Places to visit in Balat, which we will write about one of the most authentic districts of Istanbul, by giving some information about the history of the district.
When we look at the history of Balat, we see that the people of Balat had a great time until the 1950s. We see that most of them were created by Jews.. Later, with the establishment of Israel (1948), these people migrated there.. The district was called Palation (palace gate) for a long time because of the palace it contains.. In the following times, it took its current name and started to be known as Balat.. When Beyoğlu era is over in Istanbul, then Balat’s era has started.. The Efendi lords of Istanbul no longer reside in Beyoğlu, but in Balat..
THINGS TO WATCH IN BALAT
This district, which is famous for its historical places, is located in the very center of the place we call Old Istanbul.. I guess it wouldn’t surprise anyone to have cultural heritages that are so central and shed light on history.. If you are coming to Istanbul for sightseeing, let us remind you that you should allocate a whole day to Balat.. We will give you detailed information about Places to visit in Balat, starting with their legendary Houses.
BALAT EVLERI
History defying With its structure, Balat houses are in everyone’s language. If you see young people photographed in front of a door on Instagram and other social media, they probably took that photo in Balat.. With its unspoilt architectural touch, colorful and chirpy structure, cute and small cafes, this district, which resembles a movie frame, has become the center of attention of tourists.. When you see the black, orange, blue, yellow and green colored houses side by side in the photos, you should immediately understand that this is Balat.. The district looks like a work of art with its houses having a unique tone color.
FENER Greek Patriarchate
There was great destruction in a fire in 1941. Fener Greek Patriarchate In 1989, after two years of renovation work, it was restored to its former glory.. Known as the Orthodox Patriarchate, this church is a living example of tolerance and respect for religion.. This church, which you can visit every day between 08:30 and 16:00, is not accepted between 09:15-12:20 hours, since the service is held only on Sundays.
FENER RUM MEN’S HIGH SCHOOL
The high school, which was established in 1454 in accordance with the agreement made by Fatih Sultan Mehmet with Patriarch Gennadois after the conquest of Istanbul, was rebuilt in its present location in 1881.. Fener Greek Boys’ High School is at the top of our Balat Places to Visit list due to its magnificent structure. Even if it is confused with the Patriarchate from time to time, it can be easily distinguished from each other by a thick and long dome in the middle.. It is sometimes called the “Red School” because of the frequent use of red bricks in its construction.
FERRUH KETHUDA MOSQUE
One of the chief viziers of Suleiman the Magnificent. Ferruh Kethuda Mosque, built by Ferruh, the steward of Semiz Pasha, between 1562 and 1563, was once known as “The Courthouse”. The reason for giving this name is because courts were established in its courtyard and the criminals were tried.. There is also a sundial in the backyard of this mosque, which was built by Mimar Sinan.. If you want to see this wonderful building built by the great master, you should definitely stop by Balat.
SVETİ STEFAN CHURCH
Sveti Stefan Church whose construction was completed in 1898 built by architect Hovzep Anzavur. In order to complete this structure, exactly 500 tons of iron produced in Vienna in 1891 and transported to Istanbul via the Danube river was used.. The land of this magnificent place, which is known as the iron church among the people, was donated by Prince Stefan Bogoridi.
The part of the expansions made by the Ottoman Empire between the years 1800-1900 concerning the Bulgarians and the edict that announced their recognition as a different community for the first time to the public here. has been read. In this context, it is seen as a center of power and strength by the Bulgarians even today.
SMALL MUSTAFA PASHA BATH
Küçük Mustafa Pasha, the grand vizier of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Little Mustafa Pasha Bath was built in 1477.. This place, which was used as a bath until the 1990s, was later closed and abandoned to its fate.. The size of the bath, whose land is 2000 m2, is 1265 m2.
ROSE MOSQUE
Rose Mosque10 from the Byzantine Empire. or 11. It is estimated that it was made in the centuries.. We definitely recommend you to visit this mosque, which still contains touches from those days with its centuries-old structure.. You can still clearly see the magnificent ambiance of ancient histories by entering it.
CHURCH OF THE MARY OF THE MONGOLS
The name of the “Bloody Church” by everyone Mongols’ Church There is a very sad story about the Church of the Virgin Mary . According to this; Maria Komnini was born in 1252 in Iznik.. This girl, whose father is a very famous commander, has witnessed some of her father’s giving the city back to the Byzantines and the rebuilding of the city with a Orthodox atmosphere.. Her father decides to marry 12-year-old Maria to Mongolian Hülagü while the city’s atmosphere changes rapidly.. The girl who set out after this decision taken for purely diplomatic reasons, while on her way to go to the man she will marry, learns that Hülagü died after a siege.. When Akaba, who replaced Hülagü, decided to keep the young girl in her harem, the girl who lived among the Mongols for a while, later found a way back to Istanbul and established a monastery in the current place of the church and lived there as a nun all her life.. This girl was later known as the “Mary of the Mongols” among the people.
BALAT STREETS
Sometimes it doesn’t matter where you are or what you are doing.. Just walking down a street and examining the structure of that street is beyond anything.. Balat Sokakları is one of the places that are exactly like this.. Its colorful texture, the clotheslines extended to each other by the houses, the pictures created with graffiti, one of today’s trends, and of course the children running around on the street… Balat offers you an atmosphere where you can find whatever you are looking for.. For this reason, even the streets of this charming district appeal to everyone.
STADERD SLOPE
If Laddered Hill is not written for places to visit in our Balat article. a big mistake has been made. Located in a narrow, long and authentic-looking street, these stairs are perhaps the only object in the world that does not tire the person walking on it.. When you leave by looking at these wonderful houses on your right and left, you will not really understand which alley you have finished.
BALAT DINING PLACES
This beautiful district, which is famous for its historical texture and a thousand and one colors, is also famous for its food.. In this part of our article, we would like to inform you about Balat eateries.
Balat Beach Restaurant
Make sure to make a reservation as you will have difficulty finding a place in the evenings. we recommend that you do. After spending the whole day in Balat, a dinner in this charming place is really appealing.. It is also highly recommended by the famous gourmet Vedat Milör.. Especially if you like raki and fish… (there is nothing to say about it, you just have to experience it.)
Forno Balat
If you prefer to eat modern cuisine, you can visit Forno Balat . The most popular dishes of this beautiful place are pide, lahmacun and pizza.. We recommend you to stop by this establishment, which is also famous for its breakfasts.
Agora Tavern: So what we can say about this title is really little.. It’s called “Agora Tavern“, but I can’t help but say a few words.. The place, which was last bought by Ezel Akay, was almost reborn by the person.. This historical place, which has regained its former fame, is famous for its appetizers served with its drinks.. The history of the tavern goes back to the 1890s. a dessert and coffee break remains. Naftalin Cafe is a place that offers you this pleasure you are looking for, we recommend Mardin coffee with cardamom or dibek coffee.. You can immediately understand what a magnificent place you have come to with the stove you have noticed while you have just taken your first steps inside.
Tea at Tea
It’s time to drink tea on the Balat tour, right? Then the very place you are looking for is waiting for you at Tea . A stove installed in the middle of a small and cute shop and colorful walls, tables etc.. A completely different place awaits you with its legendary texture that really does not look like movie scenes.
WHERE IS BALAT?
Balat, Istanbul’ It is one of the oldest places in Istanbul and is located in the heart of Old Istanbul.. Where is Balat? While this is the best answer to the question , we can say that for those who want to go to Balat today, it is located in Fatih district of Istanbul province and also right next to the Golden Horn.. This quaint neighborhood appeals to everyone.. We definitely recommend you to see this district, which is perfect for touristic trips, which includes all kinds of nationalities and which is a frequent destination for the gentlemen of Istanbul today.
HOW TO GET TO BALAT ?
As it is located in Fatih, we can say that it is at a very easy point in terms of transportation.. There are many alternative transportation routes to this charming district.. Here are some of them;
If you want to go by bus, we recommend you to come to Eminönü first.. You can easily reach the region with private public buses moving in the direction of Eminönü – Balat and the relevant vehicles of IETT.
If you want to go by metrobus, it will be enough to get off at the Ayvansaray stop.. Afterwards, you can reach Balat by choosing the coastline from the stop and taking a 12-minute walk towards Eminönü. .
We conclude our article titled Places to Visit in Balat by saying that those who do not go and see this magnificent colorful district of Istanbul will miss a lot.
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