City: Fener & Balat
Top Things to do in Fener & Balat
What to do and see in Fener & Balat, Turkey: The Best Historic Sites
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. Zeyrek Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By N8335RPandyd
I accidentally discovered that the second largest standing Byzantine structure, after Hagia Sofia/Aya Sofya is the Zeyrek Mosque, formerly a double church and chapel of a Byzantine Monastery and that it was recently restored by the World Monument Fund. After taking a tram to Aksaray and walking up towards the main square and then down past the Valens Aqueduct, I found the church/mosque two streets over on the left side as you go towards the Golden Horn. You will need to ask locals for Zeyrek Camii (the mosque) and they will gladly help you. The building is very large, beautiful, and is a functioning mosque which means it is open. It is free of charge and the building has been magnificently restored. The structure is obviously Byzantine by the architecture, columns, capitals, etc. There are no mosaics or Byzantine frescoes remaining, other than a hint near the main entrance. And I mean a hint. The rest is restored, early-Ottoman frescoes which are simple, gorgeous, and screaming to be photographed. If you are into architecture, Byzantine and/or Ottoman history, this is a must-see.
2. Column of the Maiden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 18 reviews
The Column of Marcian, or the “Column of the Maiden” (Turkish: Kiztasi) as it is known in Turkish, was erected in memory of the Byzantine Emperor Marcian in 455 C.E. For many years it was kept in the garden of a private house and remained hidden from the public view until it was discovered in 1908 in the course reconstruction after a fire.
3. Amcazade Huseyin Pasa Kulliyesi
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
4. Hagios Nikolaos Greek Orthodox Church
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By ulisan - Athens, Greece
Not much to say for such an historic place for Orthodox Christians and for Istanbul. Just visit and Balat neighborhood is also great.
5. Zeyrek SarnIcI
6. Hasan Pasa
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
7. Sivrikoz Cesmesi
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
8. Cumhuriyet Cesmesi
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 2 reviews
