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Let us show you one of the most valuable heritage that Istanbul has. We would like to offer you some walking tours and visits to some Synagogues that had been homes of Jewish citizens of Turkey.
Istanbul airport
3 Hours Before Flight Time
One Bedroom for each room (depends on number of guests in one room)
Depends on room type (one bathroom for each room)
Jewish community have lived in the geographic area of Asia Minor for more than 2,400 years. In the later Middle Ages, Ashkenazi Jews migrating to the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire supplemented the original Jewish population of Asia Minor. At the end of the 15th century, a large number of Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Spain and Portugal settled in Asia Minor on the invitation of the Ottoman Empire.
Despite emigration during the 20th century, modern day Turkey continues a Jewish population.The present size of the Jewish Community is estimated at around 26,000 according to the Jewish Virtual Library. The vast majority live inIstanbul, with a community of about 2,500 in İzmir and other smaller groups located in the rest of Turkey.
Sephardic Jews make up approximately 96% of Turkey’s Jewish population, while the rest are primarily Ashkenazic.Turkish Jews are still legally represented by the Hahambasi, the Chief Rabbi. Rav Izak Haleva, is assisted by a religious Council made up of a Rosh Bet Din and three Hahamim. Thirty-five Lay Counselors look after the secular affairs of the Community and an Executive Committee of fourteen, the president of which must be elected from among the Lay Counselors, runs the daily affairs.
Upon arrival, meet and greet local guide and proceed to hotel and then we are going to have briefing about our programme.
Overnight in Istanbul.
After we have our breakfast at hotel, in the morning we proceed to a Jewish neighborhood “Galata”. You will see the Galata Tower built by the Genoese in 1303. Afterwards we visit the local synagogues, Neve Shalom and the Ashkenazi Synagogue and Ahrida Synagogue. Later on we proceed to Jewish Museum in Karaköy district. After we end our walking tour programme, we proceed to hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
On this morning after we have our breakfast we proceed to old city of Istanbul and then our first visit is going to be Hippodrome Square where chariots raced during the Roman period and then we proceed to Blue Mosque which was built by Sultan Ahmet the first on 1616 and very famous with its stunning blue tiles on its Wall. Afterwards we visit Hagia Sophia which was built as an Orthodox Church by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. However the giant worship center was converted in a Mosque by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1453. It is now a museum where you can enjoy the harmony of two culture in the same building. After our time finishes at Hagia Sophia, we continue our trip visiting Topkapı Palace which was built by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1475. Topkapı Palace is the biggest palace in Turkey and also one of the biggest in the World by its 80 acres area. Topkapı Palace is the most visited palace in Turkey while it offers to its visitors many beautiful small mansions with nice view of Bosphorus Strait or Golden Horn, many valuable jewelleries which was used by the Sultans, Holy Relics such as David’s sword, Moses’ Staff and so on. After that we proceed to Grand Bazaar for shopping traditional souveniers of Turkey.
After we have our dinner, we will be transferred to airport for our flight back to your home.
Till we meet on another trip…
