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The Secret of Karakoy
Karaköy Port and Galata have hosted people from different regions and cultures for many years and have preserved their stories. The regulars of the four-roof churches and lodgings in Karaköy continue to preserve some of these stories.
So where does the name Karaköy come from?
It is thought that the name Karaköy comes from the Turks who were affiliated with the Karaite sect of Judaism. Judaism spread among the Crimean Turks through the Jews who migrated from the Caspian to Crimea. Due to their close relations with Byzantium, the Karaites lived in different communities in this geography. The relations that continued during the Ottoman period made Istanbul the center of the congregation.
Karaköy is home to churches, synagogues and schools used by different sects and religions. The district, which embraces different cultures, has maintained its cosmopolitan structure throughout its history.
Some Places You Should Visit in Karaköy
1. Galata Tower
Although the exact date of construction of the Galata Tower, once called the Tower of Jesus, is not known, it is estimated to have been built in the early 500s AD. The tower, which is the oldest and most important structure in the historical Galata region, was used for different purposes by the Romans, Venetians, Genoese and Ottomans.
1. Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
Places to visit in Karakoy
Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, one of the places to visit in Karaköy, is one of the works of Mimar Sinan.
Karakoy Arab Mosque
Arap Mosque does not catch your attention at first glance, with its location squeezed between buildings in Karaköy Thursday Market.
When you enter the mosque from the side street where it is located, you come across its bell tower-like minaret and interesting architecture.
Salt Galata
Salt Galata, one of the places to visit in Karaköy, is the old Ottoman Bank building. Located on Bankalar Street, it is the most famous of the buildings, most of which were built in the 19th century. Today, the building, which has been converted into a museum under the name Salt Galata, contains a library, a cafe and a stylish restaurant.
Karakoy in ancient times
Karaköy has had a port since Byzantine times. Genoese merchants, who were the main rulers of the region, settled in the Galata region and began to actively use the Karaköy port in 1000 AD. Pera was founded under the leadership of the Genoese who settled in Galata with special permission. One of the most interesting features of this region is that it is outside the settlement area. The Genoese lost their dominance in the region during the Latin occupation and re-established their dominance in the region in the 12th century. During this period, they surrounded Galata with walls without obtaining the permission of the empire. Historically, this region has had a structure that has brought different cultures together, fostered differences and had privileges which were granted by dominant authority.
Mount Athos and The Roof Churches
The Galata district and Karaköy Port, which are outside the city's settlement boundaries, have been a frequent destination for "outsiders" since the Byzantine period. Guesthouses were built in Karaköy by the Russians in the 19th century for pilgrims travelling from Russia to Jerusalem and Mount Athos. Mount Athos was founded in the 10th century and has maintained its independence to this day. The religious civilization located on the peninsula consists of a community which has 20 monasteries. It is affiliated with Greece and its population is made up of only men. Women are prohibited from entering the region.