CANKURTARAN
KÜÇÜKAYASOFYA
KUMKAPI
Küçükayasofya (Little Hagia Sophia) Mosque in Cankurtaran was an Orthodox church built during the reign of Justinianus I
The district consists of narrow streets surrounded by Topkapı Palace, Sultanahmet and Kadırga, and it still sustains its historical patterns. Cankurtaran provides an authentic background for many movies.
Cankurtaran
This is the name given to the district that starts where
Sur-i Sultani (part of the surrounding walls) that surrounds Topkapı Palace ends. This name is rumored to have come from one of the stations (tahlisiye) built to help boats that had accidents in the currents at the entrance to the Bosporus.
Ahırkapı
Ahırkapı is another one of the historical districts of İstanbul. It was named Ahırkapı (the Stable Gate) due to the fact that the stables of Topkapı Palace were located there. The Byzantine Manganai Palace and the Bukoleon Palace, as well as the outer courtyards and summer palaces of Topkapı Palace were also located here. This district is the most important archaeological site of İstanbul, with the most important remains in the Manganai Palace.
Ahırkapı Lighthouse
This lighthouse was commissioned by Osman III in 1755. It is on the western side of the section of the Bosporus that faces the Marmara Sea. The lighthouse, built in the form of a white tower, was situated on one of the towers of the city walls surrounding İstanbul. It is 40 meters distant from the sea. It helps ships navigate by flashing every six seconds. It was built following a serious sea accident
Dedeefendi House
The red Ottoman house on Ahırkapı Avenue was the house of the great master of classical Turkish music, Hammamizade Dede Efendi. The two-floor house was given to Dede Efendi by Mahmut II in return for a composition. Dede Efendi lived between the years 1778 and 1846. His 250 compositions can be found in archives today. He settled in this humble house on Ahırkapı Avenue after making music in the Ottoman palace for a long time. The house, now a museum, is one of the favorite sites visited by those who appreciate classical Turkish music.
Erol Taş Culture Center
This is one of the oldest café houses of the district of Cankurtaran. It has been offering service since 1945. The founder of the café house is the late actor Erol Taş. The café that opens when the sun rises in the morning remains open till midnight. Visitors to the districts of Sultanahmet, Cankurtaran, and Küçükayasofya can take a break in this café.
Akbıyık Mosque
This little mosque, located outside the city walls near Ahırkapı in Eminönü, was built in the name of the Sufi poet Akbıyık in the 15th century. It is known as the closest mosque in the direction of Mecca in İstanbul.
The Old French Jail
The Old French Jail is located just near the Küçükayasofya Mosque.
It was restored by the municipalities of İstanbul and Eminönü and turned into the Ali Müfit Gürtuna Culture Center.
Küçükayasofya Tekkesi (Little Hagia Sophia Dervish Lodge)
There are handicraft workshops, souvenir sellers, and booksellers in the building that was turned into a center of traditional handicrafts. There are also training courses to teach the arts of gilding, marbling and calligraphy. The garden that is surrounded with flowers also offers service as a cafeteria. Reed flute tunes can be heard through the streets.
Küçükayasofya Mosque (Little Hagia Sophia Mosque)
This mosque is in a small district between the districts of Cankurtaran and Kadırga. Sultanahmet is just in the vicinity. The streets in this district open to the shores of Marmara through the passes under the railroad.
Küçükayasofya Mosque was turned into a mosque during the reign of Bayazıd II (1481-1512) by Darüssaade Ağası Hüseyin Ağa. It was originally an orthodox church built after the Justinianus I ascended to the throne. The construction of the church, which is also known as Sergios and Bakhos Church, lasted 38 years. Rumor has it that Justinianus I was going to be punished as he participated in a rebellion against his uncle Justinos
I and that he was acquitted because the saints Sergios and Bakhos appeared in Justinos’ dream and they testified for him. After he became emperor, he built this church in the name of these saints. The minaret of the mosque that rises with four corners constructed from bricks has one minaret symbol. Its dome, which is 19 meters high, is situated on arches of eight feet. Sixteen of the 34 marble pillars in green and red are located on the main floor and the other 18 are above. The main hall has five domes and six pillars which were built later.
Kadırga
The district of Kadırga was turned into a harbor in the Byzantine era. The Kadırga Square and the Cinci (Cündi) Square near it were the primary festival areas of İstanbul until the 1950’s. Karagöz shadow players, improvisers, and acrobats would display their shows here.
Esma Sultan Namazgâhı is an open air religious service area for people on the road to perform their namaz without losing time. It is the only example of its type in İstanbul. Namaz services are performed on the upper floor, which resembles a terrace.
The Atia Kiryaki Roman Orthodox Church on Kadırga Avenue is a work of the early periods of this era. Its architect was Tiadis. The Church of Panaia Elpida was built by wealthy Greek people in the previous centuries.
Özbekler Tekkesi
This is one of the five Uzbek Tekke’s in İstanbul. This dervish lodge between Kadırga and Sultanahmet was the vacation place for Uzbek and Bukhara Turks in İstanbul.
Kumkapı
Until recently, Kumkapı was a district of Greek and Armenina fishermen. Only some examples of Greek and Armenian churches and some of the most developed middleclass fish taverns of İstanbul remain. Old Greek houses are in the Byzantine residential style. The Armenian Gregorian Patriarchate and churches are in the district of Nişanca. When Fatih Sultan Mehmet invited everyone, whether Turkish-Muslim or non-Muslim, to settle in the new capital, Armenians moved inside the city. As they came from six locations they were referred to as the six communities. Then they increased to twelve communities. The first Armenian Patriarchate was founded in Samatya. The building of the Patriarchate was a fine wooden building of the 19th century. The biggest church, Surp Asdvadzadzin (Mother Mary) is now used as the Patriarchate’s Church. The holy spring in the lower floor shows that this place came from the Byzantine era. The grave and sculpture of Kazaz Artin, a prominent person of the Armenian community and respected by Mahmut II, are also here.
