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Pick up at the
hotel or port. Proceed to downtown Beyoglu & Pera and
take a stroll down Istiklal Avenue to the Galata quarter,
a Jewish neighborhood for centuries with many synagogues and
bustling street life.
There we visit the Ashkenazi Synagogue, which serves
the community of European Jews. En route, see the
cosmopolitan nature of the city passing historic diplomatic
posts, handsome old houses, fashionable boutiques and cafes.
Stop-off at Galata Tower, once the high-point of the
Genovese fortified town, from which there are spectacular
views over the city.
Also visit the Neve Shalom Synagogue, the largest
modern synagogue in the city center to a strong Jewish
community. Later in the afternoon, we cross to the Western
shore of the Golden Horn to take a stroll through the
atmospheric old streets in the Jewish quarter of Balat,
where many Jewish immigrants settled to help repopulate the
city under Sultan Beyazit II. Today the Star of David can be
seen on the facades of some buildings.
Also in this colorful area, we visit the Ottoman Baroque
style Ahrida Synagogue, with beautiful furnishings,
including the bema (pulpit) shaped like the prow of a ship.
Drop off to the hotel or cruise ship port. End of the Jewish
Heritage Tour. |
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