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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 !
Story of the Turkish Jews who were deported from Spain in 1492 and are now living in Turkey for more than 500 years in peace and harmony.
The museum building, formerly known as Zülfaris Synagogue, was restored and remodelled to suit a museum. There is evidence that this synagogue existed in 1671, and its foundations suggest that another structure was built during the colony of the Republic of Genoa.It was recorded as “Holy Sinavi (Synagogue) in Galata” or “Kal Kadoş Galata”, it was called as “Zulfaris” which is thought to have derived from the Persian word “Zülf-ü Arus”, meaning “the fringe of a bride”. However the actual building was re-erected over its original foundations presumably in the early 19th century, probably in 1823.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day and have no hesitation recommending anyone visiting this incredible city. Thanks
We had a fantastic day.. I would recommend to anyone looking for a great tour of this great city!
Istanbul es lo mas hermoso es una ciudad mistica y fabulosa
We had an amazing experience with this company. The driver was excellent and the tour was fantastic. Highly recommended.
If you have the chance to visit Istanbul and get to know the best out of it, you should know Gokhan, our fantastic guide. I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with his organized, efficient, smooth running, and cost efficient program. Our trip to istanbul was really so wonderful and so memorable.
I would like to thank him for the excellent job he did while guiding our tour through Turkey. Very professional and also very patient. His great sense of humour made our tour very ,very enjoyable.
I now have a greater understanding of this nice country and would definetely love to come back again
我们全家到了伊斯坦堡，因为时间有限，决定参加私人的一日游。我们的中文导游大海先生的介绍，生动又风趣，让我们一家人沉浸才伊斯坦堡的华丽丰富的历史中。
Sin duda alguna la ciuxad mas bella del mundo istanbul te extranare
We had a marvellous time. all the things and surprises they are really too amazing.
In the section of Haskoy (in the Golden Horn region on the European side.) This is the cemetery written about extensively by Ms. Minna Rosen in her various books. We had been told that it is one of the oldest cemeteries in the city but we do not know what kind of records they have. The city fathers tore up the entire middle of the cemetery some years back in order to create a road that runs right through the cemetery. We have been told that many bodies were moved to other parts of the cemetery. We do not know if they kept records of this change.