History and Continuity in Istanbul

Explore off-the-beaten track Istanbul with an expert guide

$330

Private

N/A

Semi-private

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Tour Details

About the Tour

Private Tour: $ 330
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Istanbul

Photos & Highlights

Explore fascinating and overlooked Istanbul neighborhoods
Learn about Istanbul's multicultural history
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Fener Neighborhood, and Balat Neighborhood

Tour Description

Istanbul is a palimpsest—a city of layers upon layers, in which histories and cultures exist on top of, and alongside, one another. It is traditionally a melting-pot, and over the last 100 years, the diverse populations of this city have once again shifted, further expanding the demographics of the city. On this Istanbul Religion Tour, we will pull back the layers of history in order to look closely at how different populations have inhabited and shaped the city, developing a deeper appreciation for the ethnic and religious diversity of a city most commonly associated with the mosques that dominate its skyline.

Greek Fener, Jewish Balat, Muslim Eyup

This walk will guide us from the traditionally Greek neighborhood of Fener, where the golden Greek Patriarchate still sits tucked among old wooden houses, to the old Jewish Istanbul neighborhood of Balat, where trendy cafes and eastern Turkish migrants live next to old synagogues, to the rose-scented Muslim neighborhood of Eyup. History is never fully abstract in this dynamic city, so we’ll look closely at how different populations have inhabited and shaped the city. Following the curve of the Golden Horn and passing through polyglot neighborhoods with traditional Ottoman houses on cobblestoned streets, we’ll examine how the social and political history of the Turkish Republic has molded these districts.

Looking to explore more off the beaten path neighborhoods? Try our Istanbul Asian Side Tour of Uskudar and Kuzguncuk.

Off The Beaten Path

This is an atmospheric walk through a part of the city normally overlooked by visitors. We’ll pass by, and perhaps drop into, churches, synagogues, and mosques all settled next to each other on a narrow grid plan of curving streets. We’ll stick our heads into alleyways, marketplaces, and coffee shops, gaining not only an intellectual insight into the culture of Istanbul but also an experiential one as well.

Istanbul Religion Tour

We’ll focus on the cultural lives of the Greek, Armenian, and Jewish people who have called this area home since antiquity. We will also discuss the waves of recent immigration that have brought a Muslim population—largely from Anatolia and largely conservative—into the neighborhood. And thus, much of this walk will attempt to frame and contextualize questions of identity in Istanbul today.

For a closer look at the many cultural identities present in Istanbul, try our Galata Tour.

Layers of History

Our walk concludes in Eyup, one of the first Muslim settlements of the Ottoman Turks, and a sacred part of historical Istanbul. With its lively square and central mosque, this neighborhood serves as a telling contrast to Fener and Balat. The history of Istanbul is constantly being written over and built upon. These three neighborhoods illustrate the multicultural melting pot that continues to morph and redefine this city.

Tour Experts

Claire

Claire has dual degrees in English (University of Michigan) and medieval art history (Università di Roma "La Sapienza"). She lived in Rome for a decade where she taught art history at Trinity College and study abroad programs for other American universities. She has lived in Istanbul for the last twelve years. She is presently an adjunct instructor at Yeditepe University and a freelance translator. Originally from Washington, DC, Claire is very interested in social history. She is the author of "Topkapı Palace: Inside and Out", published by Citlembik in 2004.

Ebru

Ebru has a background in journalism and was a writer for many years for a variety of Turkish magazines, including Gezi National Geographic Traveler. She has also served as an arts editor at a local publication. A native of Istanbul and a licensed guide, she has a broad range of knowledge, and is extremely interested in art and aesthetics, as well as translating the details of the Istanbul street experience for visitors. Ebru is currently attending an MA program in the history of religions at the School of Theology and working on her thesis on temple liturgy.

Canan

Canan has a background in Social Sciences and Cultural Anthropology and is an avid traveller. She is interested in museums and art exhibitions worldwide. In addition to her work leading cultural tours in Istanbul, she is actively involved in charity work such as reading for the blind and projects working with differently abled people in Istanbul.

20 Reviews

The docent was very enthusiastic. I understand it was her first walk. She had definitely practiced for the tour.

Deborah

Jun. 5, 2015

Claire is a gem and the tour was fascinating. She knows an incredible amount about life and culture in Istanbul, and we found the tour truly informative and eye-opening. We couldn't recommend this tour or Claire more highly.

Serra

Jun. 5, 2015

We loved being with Claire who is so deeply informed about Istanbul & the subjects we discussed. Claire is fun to be with as well as educated on the topics. She was able to answer all of our questions in depth. This tour above all others, helped integrate historical with modern Turkey.

Laura

Oct. 5, 2014

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Tour Experts

All Context Experts are scholars or specialists in their field.

Claire

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Ebru

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Canan

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