Sacred Places

Rustem Pasa Mosque

Rustem Pasa Mosque
The Rüstem Paşa Mosque was built by a famous Croatian, Rüstem Pasha (1500-1561), one of the Grand Viziers of the Ottoman Empire and married to the daughter of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, Mihrimah Sultan. In 1561, it was designed by Mimar Sinan ("Sinan the Architect") for Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha using a style that is…
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Yeniköy Synagogue

Yeniköy Synagogue
Yeniköy Synagogue is a synagogue located along the northern part of the Bosphorus in the Yeniköy neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. The synagogue, said to have been built by Abraham Salomon Camondo in the late 19th century, has been rejuvenated recently by the renewed presence of Jews who have moved into the area. Only Shabbat prayers…
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The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews

The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews
Jewish Museum of Turkey (officially Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews) is a cultural center established by the Quincentennial Foundation to inform the society of the traditions and history of Turkish Jewry. It was inaugurated on November 25, 2001. The Quincentennial Foundation was established in 1989 by 113 Turkish citizens, Jews and Muslims alike, to…
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Etz Ahayim Synagogue

Etz Ahayim Synagogue
The Etz Ahayim Synagogue, also known as the Ortaköy Synagogue, is synagogue located in Ortaköy, Istanbul, Turkey, on the coast near the right leg of Bosphorus Bridge. The synagogue was totally destroyed by fire in 1941 with only the marble Aron Kodesh remaining intact. The synagogue was subsequently rebuilt.
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Bet Avraam Synagogue

Bet Avraam Synagogue
Bet Avraam Synagogue is a synagogue located behind the main train station in Sirkeci in Istanbul, Turkey. It is the synagogue nearest to the Sultanahmet (Hippodrome) area and can be reached by foot easily for Shabbat services. Appointments should be secured from the Chief Rabbinate.  
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Ashkenazi Synagogue

Ashkenazi Synagogue
The Ashkenazi Synagogue (Turkish: Eşkenazi Sinagogu) is an Ashkenazi synagogue located near the Galata Tower in Karaköy neighborhood of Beyoğlu in Istanbul, Turkey. It is the only currently active Ashkenazi synagogue in Istanbul open to visits and prayers. The synagogue was founded by Jews of Austrian origin in 1900. It is also the last remaining…
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Ahrida Sinagogu (Ahrida Synagogue)

Ahrida Sinagogu (Ahrida Synagogue)
Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in Balat, the Jewish quarter, of the city. History It was built by Romaniotes (Greek Jews), from the city of Ohrid (called 'Ahrid' in Greek) in what was then the Ottoman Empire and is now the Republic of Macedonia. Neve…
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Ortaköy Mosque

Ortaköy Mosque
Since it was built in 1853 by Architect Nigoğos Balyan right next to Bosphorus, Ortaköy Mosque has been one of the most famous mosques in Istanbul. This mosque has an elegant style and is built in the Baroque style. It is placed in one of the most famous districts of Istanbul, Ortaköy and like all mosques…
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Neve Şalom Synagogue

Neve Şalom Synagogue
Synagogue means “Peace Oasis”. And for the Hebrew community, maybe the most important one of these synagogues is Neve Şalom Synagogue. Neve Shalom Synagogue in Karaköy is one of the most important meeting points for the Hebrew community living in Turkey. Karakoy is of course an area where all the religions have been living in…
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Stephan (Bulgarian) Church

Stephan (Bulgarian) Church
Stephan (Bulgarian) Church belongs to the Bulgarian minority and is the most interesting church in Istanbul. The Bulgarian minority of the Ottoman Empire used to pray at the churches of the Fener Orthodox Patriarchy. With the increase in Bulgarian nationalism, Bulgarian community built their own church in the 19th century. First, a small wooden church…
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