Learn about the nearby Karakwe area

July 10, 2017

Karakwe

Karaköy is the modern name of the ancient Galata region, a commercial district located in Istanbul, specifically Beyoglu in the northern part of the Golden Horn on the European side of the Bosphorus.


Karakwe is one of Istanbul's oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods. Today, it is an important shopping center and a vital transportation point connecting it with the surrounding districts through the streets of Kraków Square.

The Kraków Greeks, Armenian, Georgian, Italian and Russian minorities lived throughout the ages. More importantly, it was a prominent Ottoman economic center, but nowadays it is full of shops, cafés and historical landmarks.



If you are looking for old Istanbul in the corridors of Krakow, head to Bankalar Avenue, formerly the financial center of the Ottoman Empire.
There are still many banks in the historical buildings on this street. For example, the Ottoman bank SALT Galata, which was built in 1892 and now houses the Ottoman Bank Museum. The same building hosts exhibitions and conferences, Specialties, and contains a library and archive for general use.


Another landmark in Karakwe is the Camondo staircase, built by the Kamondo family in the 1870s. These stairs moved to Istanbul from Spain because of religious pressure on the Jews.



You can also visit the Jewish Museum of Turkey, which is officially known as the Quincentenial Fundation Museum for Turkish Jews, a cultural center set up by the Quincentinal Foundation to inform the community of the traditions and history of Turkish Jews. The museum is located at the intersection of Kemeraltı Street and Panklar Street.


Moreover, if you are interested in contemporary art, you should visit Istanbul'74, where different artworks are featured for both local and international artists.
Address: Kuloğlu Mh., Turnacıbaşı Cd. No: 9, 34433 Beyoğlu / İstanbul


There are plenty of cafes where you can enjoy a nice lunch especially at the Kemankeş Avenue. For example, the Mükellef Karakoy restaurant offers a wide range of delicious meals to suit all tastes except for its picturesque views.