Introduction
The covered passages may not be the most obvious points of interest of Istanbul, but to me they are an integral part of the city’s unique charm. They were all built in the European district of Pera (now Beyoğlu), with most opening to its main street, known as the Grande Rue de Péra (now İstiklal Avenue). They constitute an interesting counterpart of the more famous arcades of Paris.
Sites
The portfolio contains 11 well-preserved historical passages of Istanbul. These are not all the arcades on İstiklal Avenue. Some stood in ruins and were closed off (hopefully for renovation) all the times that I have been to Istanbul, some I have no photos about, and some I have not been able to find.
- Passage Oriental (Pasaj Markiz)
- Hazzopulo Pasajı
- Avrupa Pasajı
- Cité de Pera (Çiçek Pasajı)
- Atlas Pasajı
- Halep Pasajı
- Cité Roumelie (Rumeli Pasajı)
- Aznavur Pasajı
- Suriye Pasajı
- El Hamra Pasajı
- Passage Petits-Champs
Map
See the mentioned sites on the map.
Portfolio
Photos
Taken in November and December 2015 and in November 2018