Trips and tips: Constantinople - The East and the West

The orthodox patriarchate with St George’s Church is located in Phanar; this is the Centre of the world’s orthodoxy. It is built in a poor neighborhood, as this area was burnt and degraded post the Christians persecution. Now, all Christians pay a visit, despite it being an orthodox church. It is the center of Christianity in Constantinople - amongst Muslims:

A few blocks away there is this Greek School, named Phanar Greek Orthodox College or The Great College of the Nation (as it is fully translated). It is the 2nd biggest christian school in Istanbul. They were having a Christmas Bazar when we visited it:

Careful.. Aristotle is watching...

So is Periklis...

A customary walk we take is go up the hill of the Phanar Greek Orthodox College, turn left and walk to a local small market called Ali Kuscu Mahallesi in Fatih. There you must eat at this Turkish restaurant:

And shop here:

If you walk from Phanar to here you will see the typical turkish life...that is, there aren't many tourists in these neighbourhoods.

If once you are in Phanar, you decide to go further north, parallelly to the Golden Horn, you may visit this cafe place in Pierre Loti Hill, which was the favourite spot in Istanbul of the writer Pierre Loti ; now it is mainly a tourist attraction.. with a nice view..

Enjoy!