Phanar Greek Orthodox College, Historic Greek Orthodox educational institution in Fener district, Istanbul, Turkey
Phanar Greek Orthodox College is an educational institution in the Fener district of Istanbul, recognizable by its red brick exterior. The five-story building features a central observatory dome and rises above the Golden Horn waterway.
Patriarch Gennadius Scholarius founded the school in 1454 following the Ottoman conquest as an educational center for the Greek Orthodox community. The current red brick building dates from the 19th century and replaced earlier structures at the same location.
The institution maintains both Greek and Turkish languages in its curriculum, preserving the educational traditions of the Greek Orthodox community.
The building sits within the narrow streets of Fener, a short walk from the Golden Horn waterfront. The surrounding area is hilly, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes.
The top-floor observatory houses a historical telescope once used for astronomical studies. Few visitors know that this scientific facility was part of the original curriculum.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
