Cozy streets of Old Istanbul

What to expect

Ancient Balat
Raion Balat is the oldest of the surviving ones. Local quarters are a valuable storehouse of the city's history and non-standard architecture. Walking through the 'city within a city', you will be amazed by the diversity of the Turkish megapolis. While we meander through narrow streets where the laundry of residents hangs on ropes, I will explain the meaning of the district's name, tell you about the fate of the 'Jewish quarters', and show you medieval clay houses with slate roofs.

During the walk, you will see:

• Gul Djami Mosque - a shrine that was once the church of St. Theodosius. We will inspect the facade and talk about the Turkish saint Gul Baba, to whose tomb (you will find out if it's really him) you can climb a narrow ladder near the old altar.
• Constantinople Patriarchate, the cathedral of which was transferred to the Fener quarter with the direct involvement of Boris Godunov. You will learn about how the complex endured difficult times, faced natural disasters, trials by fire and earthquakes, but invariably revived again and again.
• Church of St. George - the oldest building in the patriarchate complex, once part of a women's monastery.
• Greek Orthodox Lyceum - a true monument of Turkish architecture, which the townspeople called the 'red school'. You will hear about the fall of Constantinople, the revival of the Greek community by the Padishah, and find out where the clay bricks and granite chips had to be brought from.
• Ahrida Synagogue - the oldest of the Istanbul synagogues, accommodating over 500 worshippers. I will explain why the bimah is shaped like the prow of a galley, tell you about the Torah scrolls and the preachings of the legendary rabbi Shabbetai Zevi. It is worth noting that tourists cannot just visit the Ahrida Synagogue: you need to make prior arrangements with the Chief Rabbi of Turkey.
• 'Slope with Stairs' - this is the translation of the name of the street Merdinvenli yokush into Russian. Two wide stairway flights lead from here to the seafront, and this is where you can take the trendiest photos.
• Church of St. Stephen, often called the 'iron' one. When you see it, you'll understand why.
• Feruh Ketkhuda Mosque - possibly one of the works of the famous architect Mimar Sinan. I will translate the inscription above the entrance gates for you and reveal the history of the monument.