Genoese Palace, Medieval palace in Galata, Istanbul, Turkey.
The Genoese Palace is a five-story building in Galata on the northern shore of the Golden Horn, now known as Bereket Han. Its rear facade along Kart Çınar Street displays the original medieval architecture with preserved stone elements from that period.
The building was constructed in 1314 by Montano De Marini and repaired in 1316 after a fire, before passing into Ottoman hands with the conquest of 1453. Its structure was shaped and altered across long centuries under Genoese and later Ottoman rule.
The building reflects the strong Italian presence that once defined Galata, when Genoese merchants lived and traded in this quarter. You can see Mediterranean architectural influences in the stonework and how the structure fits into its urban setting.
The building sits near the Camondo Steps in the Karaköy quarter, close to other medieval landmarks and pedestrian areas of the neighborhood. You can reach it on foot while exploring the steep streets and passages of Beyoğlu.
Until 2021, the facade displayed a Genoese coat-of-arms from 1446 attributed to artisan Luchino De Fazio, before it went missing. This lost stone seal was a rare witness to the craftsmanship that the Genoese left behind in the city.
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