The Interesting History of the Heart of Beyoğlu

Pera, known as the old name of Beyoğlu, means ‘opposite, beyond, the other’ in Greek. According to one of the rumors, the name of Beyoğlu originates from the fact that Luigi Giritti, the son of Andre Giritti, the Venetian ambassador during the time of Suleiman the Magnificent, lived in a mansion near Beyoğlu. According to another rumor, the name of Beyoğlu comes from the fact that Alexios Komnenos, one of the Pontus princes, accepted Islam and lived here during the time of Mehmed the Conqueror.

Cadde-i Kebir, Grande Rue de Pera, Pera or Beyoğlu… Whatever name it is called, Pera was a place where non-Muslim citizens of the Ottoman Empire lived and had several embassies until the mid-19th century; After the Tanzimat period, it hosted entertainment venues, luxury shops, commercial establishments, restaurants, hotels, patisseries and became the center of attraction for many other things.

The stops you need to follow to take a journey towards La Belle Époque of Pera, which is called the ‘Beautiful Period’ with its architecture and art!

1. Hagia Triada Church

Built in 1880, after the Tanzimat period, Hagia Triada means ‘holy trinity’. The church located in Beyoğlu is considered one of the largest Greek Orthodox shrines in Istanbul. The church, which is still used by the Greek community today, can be one of the valuable stops of the Pera stop with its neo-baroque architecture dome.

2. Consulate General of France

The Consulate General of France, which continues its existence as the French Cultural Center, is one of the precious treasures of Beyoğlu. The building, located on the right side at the entrance of Beyoğlu, was known as the “Plague Hospital” because it was reserved for plague patients in 1760. It continues to exist as the Consulate General of France in Istanbul since the 1920s, and as the French Cultural Center where exhibitions are held at regular intervals and French language education is provided since 1940.

3. Zapyon Greek High School

After the great Pera fire in 1870, Zapyon High School was founded with the support of a philanthropist named Kostantinos Zappas, in order to support the higher education of girls. Architect Ioannis Ioannidis undertook the construction of the school, which still continues its education and training life. Although the architectural structure of the building is simple, the hand-drawn works seen in its interiors have a very striking appearance.

4. Hüseyin Ağa Mosque

Hüseyin Ağa Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Istanbul, was built in 1597 by Şeyhül Harem Hüseyin Ağa, the lord of the Galata Palace. In the courtyard of the mosque, there is a fountain that was transferred here from Kasımpaşa Sinan Pasha Mosque and is the work of Mimar Sinan. The fountain, which is considered “the most masterpiece example of Turkish stone carving”, was brought from Oluklu Bayır Lodge in Eyüp. The calligraphy inside the mosque belongs to İsmail Hakkı Altunbezer, one of the last great calligraphers. In front of the mihrab are the graves of Hüseyin Ağa and Davut Ağa, two of the Galata Palace lords.

5. St. Anthony Catholic Church

The largest catholic church in Istanbul, St. Antoine Catholic Church is one of the breathtaking examples of gothic architecture. The doors of the church, which was built by world-famous architects between 1330 and 1331, are still open today and it has become one of the visiting points of many local and foreign tourists.

6. Çiçek Pasajı

Naum Theater used to be located where Çiçek Pasajı, which has a history of more than 200 years, is located. This theater was where Sultan Abdülhamit and Sultan Abdülaziz came to watch theater during the Tanzimat period. However, after the great Pera fire in 1870, the Naum Theater was demolished and the Cite de Pera building was built in its place in the Parisian style. Historical Çiçek Pasajı, which turned into shops where baronesses and duchesses who escaped from the October Revolution sold flowers in the 1940s, has become one of Beyoğlu’s important places for eating and drinking as a result of its many evolutions from past to present.

7. Pera Palace Hotel

The story of Pera Palace Hotel, which started in Pera, the heart of Beyoğlu, towards the end of the 19th century, includes many firsts and valuable guests. Pera Palace Hotel, which continues to challenge history with its 130-year-old splendor, is Turkey’s first hotel of European standards. This building, which had the first electric elevator and hot water, has witnessed the most precious words and thoughts. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s steps passed through the steps of this building that smells of history. Agatha Christie, one of the valuable names of detective literature, wrote her novel Murder on the Orient Express in room 411. Mata Hari, one of the most mysterious women in the world, stayed here during her visits to Istanbul. A journey full of traces of history awaits you at Pera Palace Hotel, which brings together the past and the present perfectly.