Exquisitely renovated stylish flat in one of the oldest remaining residential buildings, an exemplary apartment block still reflecting the late 19th century Istanbul in the medieval Genoese citadel of Galata.
The self-contained apartment has recently been renovated and restored completely with outmost attention to detail with no effort was spared to preserve and reflect its historical character. So much so that some parts of the hand-drawn coloured frescoes have been discovered after the removal of six layers of wall paints and stripping of wallpapers which had been applied throughout the last century.
Original century old baroque decorations made with dyes extracted from plants have been kept untouched, some new restoration has recently been done , and some were inherited and kept by the flat's previous owner who was an artist herself. The doors, the wooden floors and the high vaulted brick ceilings also are all original features which have been carefully and lovingly restored with respect for the authentic architecture.
The view from the 4th floor flat over the neighboring roof-tops is admirable: the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, the Genoese built Galata Tower and the historical peninsula can all be viewed.
Both of the bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom are accessed through the spacious entrance hall; typical to the masonry apartment blocks from that era. The original footprints of kitchen and bathroom have been preserved, but both have been stylishly renovated with modern fittings and plumbing to ensure maximum comfort during your stay.
There is one twin and one double bedroom, each with high quality bed sheets. The twin beds could be pushed together if preferred.
The apartment has a superb location for various public transport options, including Istanbul Metro (underground/subway) as well as to the second oldest underground-train in the world (Istanbul Tünel, 1875) and the ferry lines to Bosphorus, to the Princes’ Islands and to the Asian side.
Galata is the new Soho of Istanbul with its art galleries, fashion studios, stylish cafes, well stocked bars, upscale restaurants and small artisan shops offering a modern twist to the exotic and mystic atmosphere of the bygone Ottoman era. The building is situated on a quiet side street, less than 100 meters away from the iconic Galata Tower. Within a few minutes of walking you reach the neighboring Pera and Beyoğlu districts (also to famous Istiklal Caddesi) which are probably the most popular touristic destinations in Istanbul buzzing with attractions day and night.