A Catholic Guide to Istanbul, Turkey

About Istanbul:

Certainly one of the world’s most exotic and interesting cities, Istanbul (formerly named  Constantinople after the Emperor Constantine) was once home to the Eastern Church, then the Ottoman Empire and is now a popular tourist mecca for people from all over the world.

A city where East meets West (literally, in the geographical sense, since there is a European side and an Asian side to Istanbul).  It is also a place where diverse cultures combine.

Since the founding of modern-day Turkey by Kemal Attaturk in 1923 after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the country had become a modern, secular state; however due to the increasingly autocratic rule of President Erdogan, many freedoms of speech have been restricted and we expect this to accelerate following the coup attempt of July 2016. We recommend that visitors remain alert, but think that the dangers to visitors are not as severe as the media would make it seem.

Istanbul is a city both modern and ancient, and steeped in history. Located on the Bosphorus, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, it is one of the most strategic waterways in the world.

Although the Muslim faith is predominant here, it coexists in harmony with many other faiths as well. For Roman Catholics there are several prominent churches here offering Mass in English, Turkish, Italian and other languages.

And, of course, a visit here would almost always include a few non-religious sites, especially the Grand Bazaar. It’s not religious, unless your religion happens to be shopping, but the Grand Bazzar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.  Be sure to haggle over the price (offer half the asking price for starters)….it is expected, and definitely the right way to shop here.

There is also the spice market. And a boat ride on the Bosporus is something you will always remember.

Catholic Churches in Istanbul:

Holy Spirit Cathedral (Saint Esprit Cathedral):  has Masses primarily in French (also an English Mass on Sundays).  Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI both paid visits to the Cathedral.

Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua: This church is run by Italian priests and has masses in English, Turkish, Polish and Italian.

Saint George’s Church:  for the Austrian community in Istanbul, although all are welcome.

Other Catholic places of interest in Istanbul, Turkey:

Hagia Sophia:  Basilica built by Emperor Constantine… now a mosque, but open to visitors of all faiths. We highly recommend a visit there to get a glimpse of what the Holy Roman Empire built under Constantine.

Traveling to Istanbul:

By plane: A new airport, simply called Istanbul Airport (IST) opened on April 5, 2019. The old Atatürk Airport is now closed.The airport has a single, large terminal building, currently the largest in the world under one roof, spanning 15 million square feet (1.4 million square meters) and is is divided into clearly signed zones and levels for departures, arrivals, and transfers, with five departure concourses branching from a central hub. Walking times between gates can be 20–30 minutes, so passengers should allow ample time for connections. Put in perspective, the The Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport’s new Terminal F is the U.S. airport project closest in size, with its first phase already underway and full construction planned to deliver 31 gates for American Airlines

By Ship: Major and luxury cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Oceania, and Crystal Cruises offer itineraries that include Istanbul.Galataport Istanbul is the primary cruise terminal in Istanbul, situated along the Bosphorus waterfront in the Karaköy neighborhood. It is a modern underground terminal with a unique hatch system, allowing passengers to disembark directly onto a promenade with shops, restaurants, and easy access to the city center. The terminal is within walking distance of Galata Bridge (about 10 minutes) and the historic Sultanahmet district (15–20 minutes by tram) where landmarks like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace are located

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