City: Fener & Balat
Top Things to do in Fener & Balat
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What to do and see in Fener & Balat, Turkey: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
Restaurants in Istanbul
1. Vlaherna Meryem Ana Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By ctsounis - New York City, United States
Visiting the historical Church of St. Mary of Blachernae or Panagia Blachernae Church in Constantinople (Istanbul) known to Greeks made history more alive. Traveling with a middleclass Tripolis travel group projected the positive Greek point of view of Byzantium in August 2019. The Akathist hymn to the Defender General Panagia Mary is sung on 5 Fridays of Lent. The name means everyone stands in reverence during the service. Historically, it is taught in Greek education as a Victory hymn thanks for protecting Constantinople from the Avars (Asian invaders). The miracle of the city is a historical fact. The Church is a shadow of its Byzantine glory. Built in 1867 by the Greek Orthodox furriers, it encloses the holy spring. Bottles were at the spring for all to take, without asking for a donation. This piety and lack of commercialism was present in other Greek Orthodox churches in Istanbul.
2. Meryem Ana Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi
3. Bulgarian Orthodox Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By satorigal - Marion, United States
In Balat, this church is cast iron, was built in Vienna, taken apart, shipped and reassembled here in 1898. It was one of three built by RPh. Waagner, and the only one standing today. It has been refurbished and is the jewel of small churches in the world.
4. Fener Rum Patrikhanesi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Flyngdtchmn - Vleuten, The Netherlands
Fener Rum Patrikhanesi is located in Balat and serves as the official center of orthodox christian belief in Turkey. It is always better if you visit the place on mass days. We managed to catch it on a cold sunday afternoon and it was a really good experience. The only thing that made me a bit sad is the fact that so few people from orthodox community joined the mass as the numbers went down in recent years. The interior is beautiful and the priests are quite easygoing people to talk to. Every local of a foreign should experience this.
5. Church of St. Mary of the Mongols
6. Church of St Polyeuktos
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By 1973LYS - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Who knows there is one archeological site very close to Aqueduct Valens, within walking distance. Ruins of Polyeukyos Church was accidentally discovered in 1960 during the construction of an overpass in Saraçhane, Istanbul. According to The Byzantine Legacy "Much of its valuable materials have been looted, while pieces of architectural material have been used in the construction of other Constantinopolitan churches, such as the Pantokrator Monastery. The Crusaders, during the sack of Constantinople in 1204, stole some of these valuable pieces, transporting them as far as Venice, Barcelona and Vienna. The so-called Pilastri Acritani, which stand near the southwest corner of the Basilica of San Marco in Venice comes from St. Polyeuktos.
7. Tur-i Sina Kilisesi (Balatkapi Ioannes Prodromos Metokhion Kilisesi)
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