Jewish Interest Sites, Museums & Information
JEWISH INTEREST SITES IN ISTANBUL
As so much was destroyed in the conquest of Istanbul, the newly acting Sultan actively repopulated the city with immigrants, so that Jewish communities sprang up along the Golden Horn, near Galata, Balat and Haskoy.
Of the 25,000 Jews living in Turkey, 22,000 of them reside in Istanbul. Most of them are ancestors of those expelled from Spain in 1492. Although they are Orthodox Jews, their practices are a bit different. They do not belong to a synagogue – only to the Jewish community.
Overall, there are 17 Jewish Synagogues in Istanbul and most of them are still active. The most important of these are the Neve Salom Synagogue, the Askenazi Synagogue, the Ahrida (Ohrida) Synagogue, the Sisli (Beth Israel Synagogue) and Ortakoy Synagogues. There is also the Jewish Museum in the Galata Karakoy area.
Synagogue Entry Permissions:
Advance permission is required to visit all Jewish synagogues in Istanbul and can be arranged in advance by your tour operator. It is not possible to visit without these due to strict procedures regarding security for entry. Be sure to arrange your tour in advance to avoid disappointment.
Architect / Style: Byzantine/Roman style Open Days: Weekdays only for public visiting. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Recommended The Ultimate Tour – Old City & Bosphorus in 1 Day – See as much as possible!
More Information:
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- Hippodrome
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- Chora Church
- Dolmabahce Palace
- Beylerbeyi Palace
- Galata Tower
- Jewish Interest Sites in Istanbul
- Underground Cistern
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