DURATION: 4 hr(s) Half Day Tour
RESTRICTIONS: N/A
Overview
This tour is designed for guests interested in the Jewish heritage present in Istanbul. The tour will cover Balat and Galata districts where the Jewish culture was predominantly active. In Balat you will see the oldest existing synagogue in Istanbul called Synagogue of Ahrida (exterior view only) and Or-Ahayim Hospital (exterior view only). Galata district is where you will see Neva Shalom Synagogue (from outside), visit the Eskenazi Synagogue, Schneider Temple and 500.Year Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews.
Highlights
Synagogue of Ahrida (exterior view only)
Or-Ahayim Hospital (exterior view only)
Neva Shalom Synagogue (exterior view only)
Eskenazi Synagogue
Schneider Temple
500.Year Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews
A gift set covering “Survey, Pencil, Map, Evil eye bead and Refreshing towel” will be provided
Full Description
This tour is designed for guests interested in the Jewish heritage present in Istanbul. You will begin with a short drive to Balat; a very ancient part of the city, where you will see the oldest existing synagogue in Istanbul called the Synagogue of Ahrida (exterior view only), which dates back to 1400. The synagogue has an impressive Baroque design and was restored in the 17th century. The second point of interest in the Balat area is the Or-Ahayim Hospital (exterior view only). Continue on to the Jewish quarter of Istanbul; namely Galata which contains thee very famous synagogues. Neva Shalom Synagogue, can only be seen from the outside. The name Neva Shalom stands for “Oasis of Peace”. The synagogue was converted to its current situation after a renovation of the sports complex of a Jewish School in 1938 and was opened to public use in 1951. You will visit the “Eskenazi Synagogue” which is another important synagogue in Istanbul and holds a holy place in Jewish tradition. Next, visit the “Schneider Temple” which is being used as a museum for Jewish tradition. The last visit of the tour will be 500.Year Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews which aims to protect the cultural heritage of Turkish Jews and to display Jewish artifacts. The Museum is composed of three sections with the main section representing the integration of Jews with the Turkish society. In the Gallery section, they display examples of the current Jewish arts. The Ethnography section consists of Jewish traditions (marriage, circumcision) and ways of life from a historical perspective up through today.
What to Wear:
Strongly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.
Respectful attire is required to visit the venues
Notes:
Guests must be able to walk approximately 1 mile over uneven, cobblestone and various surfaces, inclines and 50 to 75 steps thus guests need to watch their step at all times in order to avoid injuries. Due to the nature of this tour, it is highly recommended that guests with walkers or wheelchairs and for persons who have difficulties in walking, climbing, and/or managing steps NOT take this tour, as this is a walking tour in Jewish Quarter visit in Galata district and requires walking among all sites. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The Synagogue visits are subject to the permission of the Synagogue Authorities and can be replaced with other attaractions, if necessary. Respectful attire is required to visit the venues. This excursion is also subject to cancellation due to the religious festivals in the synagogues. The bookings for this tour will close 3 days prior to your arrival in Istanbul due to special security clearance required by the synagogues. This tour can not be operated on Saturdays and days of Jewish festivities.
All tours have been posted by TURSAB(Turkish Society of Travel Agencies) licensed travel agencies and tour operators who have replied to the formal TURSAB call of 08.07.2013 for publishing their tours on this website.
Tura Turizm,
Cumhuriyet Cad. No: 109, Elmadağ İstanbul
Phone: +90 2122412700 (5 lines)
Fax: +90 2122412989
E-mail: loner@turaturizm.com.tr
ilker@turaturizm.com.tr
incoming@turaturizm.com.tr
Web: http://www.turaturizm.com.tr/
