Audio GuideColoured Houses of Balat

Balat Renkli Evler sits on the European side of Istanbul, nestled between the historic districts of Ayvansaray and Fener, close to the serene shores of the Golden Horn. The name Balat comes from the Greek word for palace, “palation,” which echoes its days near the vast Byzantine Blachernae Palace. Stepping into Balat feels like walking through layers of centuries. Each street corner whispers stories shaped by many hands and voices.

Svetla

From the end of the fifteenth century, Balat became a haven for Sephardic Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. Invited by Sultan Bayezid, they brought with them deep traditions—aromas of fresh boyoz, the taste of rich breads, and a legacy that reached into architecture. Jewish families built three-story houses. These homes had narrow, lively facades and bay windows that seem to lean into the winding streets. Over time, Armenians, Greeks, and Turks added their faiths and cultures. As a result, the neighborhoods became dotted with synagogues, churches, and mosques. You can still find the Ahrida Synagogue, which is one of Istanbul’s oldest, the majestic Greek Orthodox church of Aya Triada, and the Kethüda Mosque, designed by Sinan, the great Ottoman architect.

Simone Massagrande

These communities shaped Balat’s multicultural heart. A century ago, more than thirty thousand people shared these streets: Jewish weavers, Greek fishermen, Armenian blacksmiths, and Turkish bakers. Devastating fires sometimes changed the city’s design, but Balat’s spirit proved resilient. The houses were rebuilt, often painted in cheerful shades of red, blue, and yellow. This gave today’s Renkli Evler, or “Colorful Houses,” their unforgettable look.

Balat is more than history. The air shifts from the sweet scent of pastries at sunrise to the tang of grilled sardines at noon. Cafés serve menengiç coffee, which is nutty and unique, and antique stores hide treasures older than the Republic. Photographers and artists find endless inspiration amid narrow alleys and laundry lines.

Beyond Balat Renkli Evler, you can uncover the faded grandeur of old synagogues, the beauty of Greek schools, or the ruins of the ancient Blachernae Palace. The sightlines open to the Golden Horn, where day and night blend the reflections of the past into Istanbul’s living present. In Balat, every stone, scent, and taste tells the real tale of a city built by many worlds.