Balat, Fener and the Golden Horn
Painted houses, Greek churches, synagogues, and the cable car up to Pierre Loti.
About this tour
Balat and Fener were the city's Greek and Jewish quarters, and they still have the churches, the synagogues and the narrow hills that left behind. There is no compulsory monument here — the walk is the point.
Afterwards we go up to Eyüp and take the cable car to the Pierre Loti café, where the whole Golden Horn opens up below. Late in the day the light comes up the valley, and that is the best hour to be standing there.
Where this day goes
Balat and Fener
The Jewish and Greek quarters of the Ottoman city, still with the hills and the churches that left behind.
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The Chora Church (Kariye)
The finest surviving set of Byzantine mosaics, in a small building well away from the queues.
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