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Duration : Half day 4-5 hours || Full day 7-8 hours (approx.)
Galata Tower
Neve Shalom Synagogue
Ashkenazi Synagogue
Zulfaris Synagogue (Jewish Museum of Istanbul)
Balat
Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue
Jewish Cemetery
Galata Tower
Neve Shalom Synagogue
Ashkenazi Synagogue
Zulfaris Synagogue (Jewish Museum of Istanbul)
Schedule details
Jewish Heritage Tours in Istanbul, begin of Sephardic history at the Galata Quarter, a region which had been almost completely Jewish for more than 400 years. Today, Galata is known throughout the world by its huge tower, built in 1303 by the Genovese. Visit the Galata Tower, the office of the Chief Rabbinate is also located in Galata today, there are 16 Synagogues in Istanbul that are still in use.
First, visit the Neve Shalom Synagogue, used for most of the community functions today, as well as the Ashkenazi Synagogue dating from the nineteenth century and the only Ashkenazi Synagogue in Istanbul, originally built by the Austrian Jews. Stop at the Zulfaris Synagogue, which now also serves as the Museum of Turkish Jewish Museum since 2001. Its name comes from the street where it is located, which was called Zulf-u arus (present day Percemli Sokak) in Karakoy, which means “Bridal Curls” in both versions, as it was here that the brides, over the centuries, would walk by to go to the synagogue to get married. “Half day tour returning to where the tour concludes”.
” Full day tour ; You will continue to Lunch at a local Seafood Restaurant. (Lunch fee is not included) Drive to Balat, a Jewish working-class district on the shores of the Golden Horn, which absorbed most of the settlers in the fifteenth century from Spain.
Visit the recently restored Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue, originally built in the 15th century and is the earliest synagogue in Istanbul. The original 20-foot long oak bimah (teva), shaped either like Noah’s Ark or, like the Ottoman ship which brought the Sephardim to freedom from Spain to Turkey, can still be seen. Then visit the Jewish Cemetery before returning to where you tour concludes.
Inclusions
Pickup and drop-off included
Half Day Tour Price
Full Day Tour Price
Payment
Additional information
- Some Synagogues may not be accessible at the time of your tour. We need your full name, birthday and passport copies by email or fax in order to get the special permission for visiting the Synagogues in Istanbul.
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability.
- At time of booking, Cruise Ship passengers must provide the following details under Special Requirements: Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time.
- Children 6-18 years must be accompanied by an adult
- Please enter your preferred pickup time in the Special Requirements box at the time of booking, and reconfirm 48 hours prior to the tour’s departure time.
- Ephesus requires walking long distances over uneven surfaces, comfortable clothing and closed toe, sensible walking shoes are recommended. Sunglasses and sunscreen are suggested.
- We will ensure your timely return to the Kusadasi or Izmir port for this activity. If you are not returned to the ship in time to board, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call.
Make the difference between a good trip and an outstanding one !
This tour was less than the cruise tour. we had a fab..time. thx
There are several synagogues serving Istanbul’s Jewish community and may have existed in one form or another since Roman times. The oldest is at Balat while the largest congregation is at the Neve Shalom synagogue.
The Synagogue is located at Galata, Kuledibi and its name means “Habitation of Peace”. The synagogue was rebuilt with the renovation of the gymnasium in the Jewish primary school. It was a sanctuary in 1938 since the necessary permissions could not be obtained and it was not put into service until 1949. Then the project washas been prepared by two new Istanbul Technical University Jewish graduates, Elio Ventura and Bernard Motola. Neve Shalom Synagogue then opened to worship in 1951. Its dome carrys an 8 ton chandelier, stained glass windows of which the glass was specially (imported from England) and interesting marble divisions. The synagogue was partially damaged by a terrorist bomb attack on September 1986 and after the repairs were completed it was put into service on May 1987. Unfortunately on November 15, 2003, twenty-three people were killed and more than three hundred others were injured in the suicide attacks to Neve Shalom and Beth Israel Synagogues.
Neve Shalom is a traditional, conservative, egalitarian congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and serves Metuchen, Edison, and the surrounding communities. Neve Shalom has a full-time rabbi, cantor, and education director. The synagogue sponsors an afternoon religious school, a Hebrew high school, nursery school, nursery summer camp, adult education, adult and children’s choirs, clubs for youth of all ages, Sisterhood, Men’s Club, and many special events.
Prayer at Neve Shalom is a warm, communal experience. All members are encouraged to participate in and lead services. In addition to High Holy-Day and Shabbat, Neve Shalom offers a daily morning Minyan, Learners’ services and Family Services. Nursery School and Day Camp are fun and challenging. Jewish education spirals from year to year through their Religious School.
A little off the beaten path this is a funky neighborhood which has tons of history and many in this neighborhood can claim their ancestors emigrated here when Spain forced out much of its Jewish population and the Ottoman empire welcomed the refugees and many settled here in Balat.
We were lucky to get a private tour which was fantastic. A great guide, professional and, guess what, a pretty cool friend too. He took us not only to the most beautiful places but he gave us the spirit of the sites, arranged special events for us and he was absolutely unstoppable. I could not have asked for a better service!
It is interesting to know a quartier where all the houses are coloured and here live many Greeks and Armenians. When you visit the place the vendors talk to you in Greek, thinking you are Greek. It is very old and it is the place where you find St. Andreas Ortodox Church, the Vatican of the Ortodoxes.
Unspoiled town one walks through from the City walls on the way to tram lines. Single women need have no fear on this walk.
Thank you again Taylan for a lovely day…you definitely helped to make our trip to Istanbul a memorable one!
Contatamos el tour privado a istanbul y quedamoa fascinados con todo lo que vimos
Having Taylan as our guide in Istanbul was the best decision. He is not only knowledgeable and experienced, but his friendly and warm manner made our visit most enjoyable. We laughed and learned, and it was more like having a friend then a guide. Taylan, I will most definitely look you up on my next visit to Istanbul! Thank you!
The visit starts with the visit of the GALATA neighborhood, known to be one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods, but very popular at the second half of the 18th century, with its famous tower built by the Genoese. The interior visit of the NEVE SALOM synagogue and the ASHKENAZI synagogue, followed by the visit of the TOFRE BEGADIM synagogue, used as an art gallery and the KAMONDO Stairs. Visit of the Zülfaris Synagogue, converted to the Jewish Museum of Istanbul.
In 1890, with the financial support of the Kamondo family, the building went through major restorations. In 1904, the interior of the temple was restored. The citation on the frame of the Ehal constructed in 1882 says:
“This Ehal was built by Samuel Malki with the wealth of his father Hayim Malki, September 1882”
In 1856, the Zulfaris synagogue was visited by Albert Calin, This visit was made in the memory of the Jewish soldiers who died in the Crimean War. The 24 January 1909, the election of the Chief Rabbi Haim Naum Efendi took place in this synagogue. In 1962, the synagogue went through another restoration process. Starting from November 1978, the Zulfaris synagogue was only opened on Saturdays for Sabbath prayers. On the September 1979, the synagogue was given to the Jewish congregation of Edirne. Later in the same year the temple was shut down.
In 1992, because of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Jewish migration from Spain during the Inquisition, to the Quincentenial Foundation and was restored to be the Jewish Museum. The museum was opened 25 November 2001.
At the entrance courtyard of the museum, there is a statue made by the Jewish sculptor Nadia Arditi, intitulated.