Contemporary architecture Istanbul & Marmara Region

Here is the passage not to be missed. Built by a French architect, it is a true legend that preserves, despite the tourists, a delightfully retro atmosphere. The passage connects Istiklal to the fish market (Balık Pazarı). It owes its name to Russian immigrants who, having fled the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, started trading flowers here. The success is immediate. Among her prestigious guests are Maria Callas. The passage is very lively in the evening.

The French Passage is a small city created for the use of the French colony of Istanbul, within the framework of the agreements signed with the Ottoman Empire, known as the Capitulations. When the treaty, which was extremely damaging to the Ottoman Empire, ended in 1909, the history of the passage came to an end. Today, it is a magnificent passage very well maintained and flowered which offers pretty Art Deco shops and chic restaurants where you can eat in a European style.

This amazing Art Nouveau staircase, with its undulating shapes, was built at the end of the 19th century to allow the illustrious banker Camondo to return to his residence. At the bottom of the stairs, there are monumental buildings including the Karaköy Palas built by the architect Giulio Mongeri and the Ottoman Bank of the architect Alexandre Vallauri. As the headquarters had moved, the building was used for archiving and part of it was transformed into a museum.

Built in 1870, it was designed as a private residence, and Sultan Abdülaziz even had an apartment there. Today, it is emblematic of Istanbul's "alternative life" and hosts many shops mainly for young people. There are thrift stores, some baroque souvenir shops and second-hand clothes. There is the Atlas cinema, the Sadri theatre Alışık Tiyatrosu Küçük Sahne, a tattoo artist and bars.

This passage was conceived in 1885 by a businessman from Aleppo in Syria. It housed the Pera circus at the rear, a theatre and opera room as well as specialized music stores. Even after numerous alterations and restorations, this theatre still remains (Ferhan Şensoy Tiyatrosu): of modern appearance, it mainly attracts a young clientele. Cinémas and Pera cinemas. By its functions, this passage is very lively, especially in the evening.

Named after a Turkish architect, and not our famous singer, this passage was built in 1883 and restored in 1993. It once housed the Café du Commerce. Shortly after the entrance, souvenir shops of all kinds. It extends over two floors. On the left, you can take a staircase to the basement. There is a bar, comic book shops (only in Turkish) and clothing shops. There is also a billiard room and a sports hall.