Kumkapi

Kumkapi

 

Until recently, Kumkapı was district of Greek and Amenina fishermen. Only some examples og Greek and Armenian churches and some of the most developed middleclass taverns of Istanbul remain. Old Greek houses are in the Byzantine residential style. The Armenian Gregorian Patriarchate and churches are in the districet of nişanca. When fatih Sultan Mehmet invited everyone, whether Turkish-Muzlim or non-Muslim, to settle in the new capital Armenians moved inside the city. As they come from six locations there were referred to as the six communities. Then they increased to twelve communities. The first Armenian Patriarchate was founded in Samatya. The building of the Patriarchate was a fine wooden building of the 19th century. The biggest church, Surp Asdvadzadzin (Mother Mary) is now used as the Patriarchates Church. The holy spring in the lower floor shows that this palace came from the Byzantine era. The grave and sculpture of Kazaz artin, a prominent person of the Armenian community and respected by Mahmut II are also here.