Around Us in Karaköy

SuB Karaköy is based in Istanbul’s most creative, engaged district. A hub for galleries, theater and design, Karaköy is home to the many landmarks, cultural institutions and renegade artists from around the world. Whether you are looking to dive into the bustling vibe around us or plan a walking route along historical site, our Karaköy Explorer will guide you in every which way.

KARAKÖY EXPLORER - THE SuB WAY

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SALT Galata
www.saltonline.org – +90 212 334 2200

Istanbul Modern Museum
www.istanbulmodern.org – +90 212 334 7300

Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam
www.kilicalipasahamami.com – +90 212 393 8010

Karaköy Lokantası
www.karakoylokantasi.com – +90 212 292 4455

Karabatak
www.karabatak.com – +90 212 243 6993

Istanbul ‘74
www.istanbul74.com – +90 212 243 3948

Art Sümer
www.artsumer.com – +90 212 249 1035

Fish& Bread
Classic snack of the explorer – pick one of the street vendors at the Karaköy pier

KARAKÖY EXPLORER – HISTORIC SITES

Galata Bridge
Crossing the Galata Bridge on foot: Fishermen line the railings above, while dinner (or tea, or backgammon) is served below as the majestic and inspiring silhouettes of the Süleymaniye, Rüstem Pasa, and Yeni Camii loom in the distance. If you wait until after sunset, you get to see the sea gulls circling the minarets.

Camondo Stairs
The Camondo Stairs (in Turkish: Kamondo Merdivenleri) are located in the Karaköy neighborhood and are the result of a public service project donated to the city of Istanbul by the wealthy Jewish family Camondo. What makes these stairs very special is their hexagonal shape, which – it is said – was arranged so that if a child would slip while climbing down, the other bevel would prevent her or him from falling

Arap Mosque
The building is 700 years old, and it has been decorated with frescoes that are nearly 1,000 years old. Because it was used as a mosque, officials decided to restore the frescoes and cover them with dark material. As a result the frescoes were once again plunged into darkness after 700 years, even though they are considered one of the most important discoveries in Istanbul.

Jewish Museum
Istanbul’s Quincentennial Turkish Jewish Museum is one of the hidden museums of the city, which stands in Karaköy Square at Hırdavatçılar bazaar. The building, which is 342 years old, is a synagogue that served the city’s Jewish community under the name of the Zülfaris Synagogue between 1671 and 1985. The museum tells the stories of Turkey’s Jews.

Underground Mosque
This eerie underground mosque occupies the crypt of a former castle that was probably associated with the Castle of Galata. Tradition has it that the colossal chain used to blockade ships from entering the Golden Horn was anchored here. What remained of the ruins (the castle was destroyed during the Ottoman conquest) was converted into a mosque.

St. Benoit Church
Saint Benoit іs а Roman Catholic Church іn Istanbul, Turkey, important fоr historical reasons. Established іn 1427, the shrine іs the oldest Catholic church оf Istanbul still іn use. On May 12, 1427, Benedictine friar Dom Nicolas Meynet, together wіth friars frоm Genoa founded а monastery іn Constantinople, оn the southeastern slope оf the Galata hill.

Panagia Turkish Orthodox Church
The Panagia Kafatiani church in Karaköy was built the Greek Orthodox christians who came from city Kafa. The name of the church was recorded in early church lists as ‘Panagia Kaphatiane Galata’. The church was reopened at 14 September 1698 after the fire of 25 April 1696. According to the present inscription the church was rebuilt after it was burnt down in 1734. The belfry was added in 1840 while it was renovated.


Surp Krikor Lusavoric Armenian Orthodox Church
This is the oldest Armenian Church in Istanbul built in 1431. The domes and the bell tower are very elegant and only a few churches in Istanbul possess these kind of domes. It is one of the most popular churches in Istanbul.


Tophane Fountain
The city countain was built 1732 by the architect Mehmet Ağa during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I. It is the tallest fountain in İstanbul, and with its ornaments on the walls, the inscription which covers all four walls, and the engraved eaves it makes a rare monument.


Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque
A rare monument of the world cultural heritage with a history going back 430 years, the Kılıc Ali Pasha Mosque Complex stands like a seaside mansion in the historic Istanbul district of Tophane. Some sources claim, that the writer Miguel de Cervantes was a slave worker at the construction of the complex and that he was inspired by this when he created the Captive character in his novel Don Quixote.

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