“Let’s perform Friday prayers in that pit.” Imagine Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror uttering those words. That’s how u00c7ukurcuma got its name a blend of “pit” and “Friday” in Turkish. Today, we’re standing in u00c7ukurcuma a fascinating district in Istanbul.
u00c7ukurcuma means “Friday Valley”. It sits in the Beyou011flu district nestled between Tomtom and Cihangir. The area wasn’t inhabited in Byzantine times. It blossomed in the 19th century. People say that after conquering Constantinople in 1453 Sultan Mehmed initiated Friday prayer in this valley.
u00c7ukurcuma is known for its antique shops. The area is officially named Firuzau011fa Mahallesi. However everyone calls it u00c7ukurcuma when referring to antiques. The main street is u00c7ukurcuma Caddesi. Buildings here largely date back to the 19th century.
As you stroll around note the European feel. Ethnic Turks Armenians Greeks and Western Europeans once called u00c7ukurcuma home. They established schools hospitals and diplomatic missions. The Greek Consulate General still occupies a building here.
Orhan Pamuk’s novel “The Museum of Innocence” is set in u00c7ukurcuma. Pamuk opened a real Museum of Innocence here in 2012. It displays objects from his novel. It showcases what the characters used wore and dreamed of. Pamuk likely spent time browsing u00c7ukurcuma’s antique shops for inspiration.
Don’t miss the Muhittin Molla Fenari Mosque. It dates back to Mehmed’s reign. It was built between 1541 and 1547. Mimar Sinan designed it for Shaikh al-Islam u00c7ivizade Hacu0131 Mehmed Efendi. The pogrom in 1955 hit u00c7ukurcuma hard. Many Turkish Greeks and Armenians emigrated afterwards.
Take a walk down u00c7ukurcuma Caddesi. You’ll find yourself surrounded by antique shops. Look out for the Museum of Innocence near the bottom of the slope. It is a wooden house filled with memories.
u00c7ukurcuma offers more than just antiques. You can explore art shops bars and eateries. Corinne Hotel is also on Faik Pau015fa street. It was built as the 3rd Foundation Inn in 1911-1913. It reflects the Ottoman style of the Neo-Classical style. The famous u00c7ukurcuma Hamam was reopened in 2018 after renovation.
u00c7ukurcuma remains a special place. In 2012, The Guardian newspaper named it one of the five best places to live worldwide. It’s a peaceful escape close to the bustling Istiklal Caddesi. Spend a few hours wandering. You will find the mesmerizing displays in the shops. u00c7ukurcuma has a unique atmosphere and rich local history to discover.