Jewish Heritage Tour in Istanbul

Informazioni generali

Destinazione	Categoria
Istanbul, Turchia	Attrazioni/Intrattenimento

Il programma nel dettaglio

This tour enables you to experience the Jewish culture in Istanbul. Exiled from Spain in 1492, their descendants have been living in Turkey for more than 500 years in peace & harmony.
The tour starts in Galata, the centuries-old Jewish neighbourhood with its’ famous tower.

This tour enables you to experience the Jewish culture in Istanbul. Exiled from Spain in 1492, their descendants have been living in Turkey for more than 500 years in peace & harmony.
The tour starts in Galata, the centuries-old Jewish neighbourhood with its’ famous tower built by the Genoese. We then visit either Neve Shalom Synagogue or Ashkenaz Synagogue (according to availability). This is followed by a drive to Balat along the Golden Horn, a residential area of Ottoman Jews where the “Star of David” still appears on the facades of some buildings. We also visit the Ahrida Synagogue, built in the 15th century by the first generation of Seferad Jews who were granted shelter and asylum by the son and successor of Mehmet the Conqueror, Sultan Bayezid and the Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim) viewed from outside.


The tour then continues with a visit to the Zulfaris Jewish Museum of the Quincentennial Foundation and the “Oldies House” at Hasköy. Moving on we go to the Jewish Cemetery where the martyrs of a terrorist attack to Neve Shalom are resting. The penultimate stop is at Ortakoy on the Bosphorous and the very first point where the Sefarads disembarked to seek shelter from the Spanish Inquisition five centuries ago. Sultan Bayezit of the Ottoman Empire welcomed these exiles to his realm, offering a safe and peaceful life. The day’s last visit will be to the Etz-Ahayim Synagogue.




Meeting/pick-up point: Hotel pick-up.

Duration: 8 hours approximately.

Start/opening time: At 07:45am.

Languages: English.

Others: Please note that Passport copies are required 5 days prior to tour day due to the permits to be taken for synagogue visits. You must also bring your passport with you on this tour.
The synagogues are closed for visitors on every Saturday and Sunday.

Location
Starting point:
Hotel pickup

Guiding options
Guiding type: Guide