Balat is on the southern shore of the Golden Horn, between the Atatürk and Fatih bridges. If you plan to visit the Kariye Museum with its 14th-century Byzantine mosaics and the nearby Tekfur Saray Byzantine palace,
you may want to visit these places first, then walk one kilometer downhill to the Ahrida and Yanbol synagogues. Here are walking directions: facing the front door of the Kariye Museum,
go to your left around the building on Kariye Türbesi Sokak and
downhill to Sultan Çesme Caddesi, where you turn left. Follow Sultan Çesme Caddesi downhill; it changes names to become Kürkçü Çesmesi Sokak,
and continues to the base of the slope, where it becomes Vodina Caddesi. Just past the intersection with Haci Isa Mektebi Sokak,
on the right (south) side of Vodina Caddesi, is the Ahrida Synagogue. To go directly to the Ahrida and Yanbol synagogues, take a bus or taxi to Balat. The street on the southern shore of the Golden Horn bears several names as it meanders along; in Balat it is named Mürsel Pasa Caddesi. Take a bus or taxi along Mürsel Pasa Caddesi to the Köprübasi bus stop and walk up Çicekli Bostan Sokak, the short, narrow street heading southwest. Cross the first street, Hizir Çavus Köprüsü Sokak, and at the second street, Vodina Caddesi, turn right. Walk four short blocks along Vodina Caddesi to the Ahrida Synagogue, which is on the left-hand side at no. 9,
behind the metal door topped by a marble plaque with Hebrew inscription. Balat has important artifacts from Byzantine Period, Ottoman and Republic Period. Mixed culture caused that historical artifacts gathered in a common point. Hevra, Selaniko, Neve Salom, Yanbol, Veria, Ahrida and the Cana Synagogue in Fener are the main reflexion of Judaism in Istanbul Cialis. Carsi Turkish bath, Tahta Minare Bath, Ferruh Kethuda Mosque,
Hoca Kasim Gunani Masjid, Molla Aski Masjid and Yusuf Sucauddin Mosque are Muslims’ artifacts;
Ayios Dimitrios Greek Church and the Surp Hreşdagabet Gregorian Armenian Church are the Christians’ artifacts. Balat is really a very beautiful district. In the past there were seaports opening directly to The Golden Horn. Around these seaports trades people were selling their goods and fishers were making delicious fried fish sandwiches for the people coming from their work. Throughout history the Golden Horn coasts were safe ports for the people living in Balat. These ports were playing an active role both for fishery and trade. There is a hospital in Balat which serves for 150 years. “Or-Ahayim Hospital” was established to serve to Jewish people who live in Istanbul and
then with the government support it began to serve also to Turkish people. In Ottoman Period this hospital received the Hilali Ahmer award and set a good example. Today this hospital still offers service to Istanbulites and Jews. I hope you will enjoy your stay in our 102 years old greek house. DISTANCES TO THE HISTORICAL PLACES
- Grand Bazaar: 15 minutes walking
- Eyup Sultan: 15 minutes walking
- Fener Patriarchate: 4 minutes walking
- Bulgarian Church: 3 minutes walking distance
- Sultan Ahmet Square: 15 minutes walking to Eminonu and then 4 minutes by tram to sultan ahmet square
- Topkapi Palace: 15 minutes walking to Eminonu and then 4 minutes by tram to Topkapı palace
- Taksim Square: 3 minutes walking to Fener Bus Station and then by bus 15 minutes to Taksim
- Dolmabahce Palace: By tram from Eminonu
- Galata Tower: 10 minutes by bus or 20 minutes walking
