Having served not only as an important commercial port but also a naval base for hundreds of years, the shores of the Golden Horn were once lined with waterside residences, to fill up with factories and workshops during the westernization period- It became a section of Istanbul inhabited by immigrants after the long-standing residents had abandoned the region in the 1940's. |
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Subsequent to istanbul falling into Ottoman control, much of the Byzantine aristocracy immigrated to different countries of Europe. Nevertheless, they returned to Istanbul with some of them settling in Fener after Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror had proclaimed religious freedom in an effort to persuade the previous residents of the city to venture back to the
centre of the state. During the Ottoman period, Fener and its surroundings became a region inhabited mostly by Byzantine Greeks together with a smattering of rich Jewish families. The Byzantine Greeks of Fener had either taken up choice positions in
the Ottoman State structure or else tht. made their fortunes by getting involve in trade.
It was Sultan Bayezid II who offered the Jews of Spain a new home in Istar bul in 1492, whereas the majority a> them settled in Balat, which means 'tr place of palaces.' Balat remained prT dominantly a Jewish quarter up unu the creation of the state of Israel, whei many Jewish families migrated one more to their new homeland. Beyon Balaf is Ayvansaray, which was
famous during the Byzantine period for its Biar-hernae Palace and its nobility. Main! gypsies inhabited it during the
Ottoman period. Situated to the north is Eyu^ which is important as being the first 01
ottoman residential area beyond the protective walls. With its mosques, tomb, and complexes,
Eyup has long been i place frequently visited by Moslems and European alike.
l Mosque
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Fener High School of Byzantine Greeks I Church of St Mary of the
angels
Church of St Stephen of the Bulgars
. Church of the Pammakaristos Sacred Fountain of Blachernae
As a crucial centre in both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, the Golden Horn looks forward to returning to its former days of glory
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