Fener & Balat: Top 5 Art & Culture Spots You Can’t Miss

If you are looking for places to feel the soul of Istanbul, Fener and Balat should be very, very high on your list. Once the home of Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox and Jewish communities, these two adjacent neighborhoods are overflowing with stories whispered from centuries past, as I was saying. Today, they’re going through a real bloom, and you will see that this is very evident in the super cool blend of history and modern art that fills every corner of these unique areas, you know. Far from just being about old buildings, I mean this is also about seeing how art and culture help to keep these places feeling like they’re very much alive. Want some suggestions? Then read on because I’m just about to give you the spots that, for me, completely capture the true essence of Fener and Balat; and places that you totally, absolutely shouldn’t skip! Explore Fener & Balat.

1. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

Alright, alright, if you happen to start in Fener, there’s just no way you can skip visiting the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople; that, actually, is still the spiritual center for the Greek Orthodox Christians worldwide, if I’m not mistaken. That means that just walking through its gates carries some proper weight, you know. The current church, seemingly unassuming on the outside, has plenty of stories to share. So, too it’s almost like its history spans over 1,700 years! Which actually makes every stone and every icon inside seem like they are breathing, basically. Historical significance. Make sure you check out the Patriarchal Church of St. George inside too; because this will let you see some crazy awesome Byzantine relics, you see.

Take your time here because I think it’s important that you soak in the solemn vibe, and really ponder about the importance that the place carries, as a matter of fact. Think about the Patriarchate, and all it stands for; as a landmark for a culture hanging on against the tide. Because this place is totally unmissable if you are into art and culture, it actually offers way, way more than pretty pictures for your vacation photo album; I’d argue.

2. Chora Church (Kariye Museum)

Next up, you’ve got the Chora Church, now called the Kariye Museum, so it seems to be another absolute banger of a place you absolutely, totally cannot pass up. Yes its slightly outside of the main drag of Fener-Balat, you see; that being said, the short taxi or bus trip is totally worth it; so, so worth it! Marvel at Byzantine Art. What can you see? Honestly; it houses what could be argued are possibly the most insane Byzantine mosaics and frescoes you could see. Even though it began its life as a monastery way, way back in the Byzantine period, what you see nowadays is mostly due to renovations from the 11th and 14th centuries; alright, alright.

When you go inside you can expect an eyeful of art narrating stories from the Bible; I mean it’s like a colorful comic book for really old-school legends! Just stop and linger a bit because you want to really let those incredibly detailed mosaics totally blow your mind. They really show what amazing artistry could accomplish back then, you know. As it goes it provides this seriously rare peep into how people perceived the universe during the late Byzantine time period.

3. Balat’s Colorful Houses

Basically, no visit to Balat is totally complete until you wander aimlessly through its winding streets while ogling those crazy, super colorful houses; and that’s that! Those old homes, you know; many now totally restored, paint such a totally awesome picture of what daily life must have been like for the generations of families who lived there. Basically, you will feel that there is something to find everywhere here. A cat dozing in the sun, kids messing around; a local grandma gossiping out the window… And there you have it: a totally alive part of Istanbul that isn’t made up for tourists, more or less. Historical Architecture.

The areas particularly photogenic spots typically attract crowds. So if you want that Instagrammable pic, very, very possibly head out early to beat the tourists. The cobblestone lanes, the overhanging wooden bay windows, so, too it’s almost all crying out for their portrait to be taken! As it goes, the area has tons to share; stories etched into its timbers and brickwork; I’m just saying. This spot isn’t just a place to take pictures. So it is also about understanding the heritage in Balat and getting to understand what’s going on.

4. Ferruh Kethüda Mosque (Çinili Cami)

Tucked away, if you’re strolling in the vicinity, you might actually find Ferruh Kethüda Mosque – better known as the Çinili Cami – or Tiled Mosque. And, honestly, a lot of people often pass by it not actually knowing how awesome it actually is. Its vibrant İznik tiles totally catch your eye the minute you look up at it, you know; and very, very probably demonstrate how killer Ottoman artwork can actually be. Ottoman legacy.

So that exterior’s all kitted out with stunning ceramics which are very reminiscent of what you might see inside some Imperial building project. This spot’s particularly calm and serene. As a matter of fact, stepping inside seems just like you are entering another planet! It gives some sweet relief from those frenetic streets out there; don’t take my word for it, very, very possibly just check it out! The history buffs might actually geek out knowing it was made in the 16th century; by that super important architect Mimar Sinan; too it’s almost just history coming alive all around you, is that not so? A good time is to actually take a load off here while mulling over some awesome design and a lot of cultural history.

5. The Fener Greek High School

You will probably notice, towering over Fener; is this ridiculously gigantic red brick building. Basically it looms pretty intensely over the district, as a matter of fact. But did you know? That this actually is the Fener Greek High School – sometimes nicknamed The Red Castle, in some respects. Architectural Marvels. Sure it still functions as a school today, more or less, but in all honesty, very, very few visit it just for education purposes these days.

Made in the 19th century by a Greek architect by the name of Konstantinos Dimadis, the place shows a combo of architectural trends while still holding onto a proper neo-classical feeling, or so it seems to me. While you probably might not manage to step inside unless it happens to be an open day or you set something up, basically, seeing it externally still lets your imagination spin, right? Just picture how thousands and thousands of learners have wandered those halls all these years; that have studied; that now live all over the planet. As I was saying it all adds one more little layer to Fener and Balat being places which are seriously imbued with all sorts of memories.