Taksim's 114-Year-Old St. Anthony Church Underground Section Opened to Public for the First Time
A historical visit is taking place on Istiklal Street, the heart of Istanbul. St. Anthony's Church, which always catches our attention with its imposing red bricks, is currently hosting a special exhibition. For the first time in its history, the 'Crypt' section located in the basement of the main church building is open to visitors.
If you want to experience a unique experience in the 114-year-old historical building in Taksim and pass through the secret doors of St. Anthony's Church, we suggest you take a closer look at the visit information.
Here are the details.
A First in History: St. Anthony's "Crypt" Room Opened for Visits
The 'Crypt' section, located in the basement of the main building of St. Anthony's Church and referred to as the 'lower church' among the staff, has opened its doors to visitors for the first time in its history.
This special opening is being held within the context of a very special exhibition titled 'From Kalenderhane to Saint Antoine Basilica: The Legacy of Saint Francesco in Turkey on His 800th Anniversary'. Moreover, some of the historical architectural drawings featured in the exhibition are being displayed to the public for the second time in history, while some are being displayed for the first time.
The History and Architecture of St. Anthony Church
Let's briefly explain for those who don't know: St. Antony Church holds the title of the largest Catholic church in Istanbul. St. Antony was built in the Venetian Neo-Gothic architectural style.
The foundations of this magnificent structure, designed by Italian architect Giulio Mongeri, were laid in 1906 and its doors were opened in 1912. The red brickwork and large rose windows on the exterior of the church, which has a Latin cross plan type, are among the clearest examples of Istanbul's cosmopolitan structure.
The first opened underground section was also the most curious and hidden part of this century-old architectural integrity.
St. Anthony Church Exhibition and Visitor Information
If you want to experience this historical event on site and explore the hidden world under the church, your visit guide is as follows:
Visiting Hours: The crypt section can be visited every day between 16:00 and 19:00 within the scope of the exhibition.
Visiting Days: The exhibition is closed to visitors on Sundays. You should plan your visit for a weekday or Saturday.
Entrance Fee: Entrance to the church and exhibition area is free.
Address: Istiklal Cad. No: 171, 34433 Beyoğlu / Istanbul (Between Odakule and Galatasaray Square, very close to Galatasaray High School).
When Will It Close?
No definite calendar has been announced for the end date of the exhibition, but it is known that it will remain open for at least another 2 months (from July onwards).
Here are Images from St. Antuan:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About St. Anthony Church
Located right in the heart of Taksim and drawing attention almost every day with its architecture, we have compiled some frequently asked questions about St. Anthony's Church for you:
What Religion is St. Anthony's Church?
St. Anthony's Church belongs to the Roman Catholic denomination of Christianity and the Franciscan (Minor Friars) order.
Can Candles Be Lit in St. Anthony's Church?
Yes, the church is a popular visit point where both local and foreign tourists make wishes and light candles. You can buy and light a candle at the entrance in exchange for a small donation.
When are the Mass Hours at St. Anthony's Church?
Masses are held at the church on Sundays at 10:00 in English, 11:30 in Italian, and 19:00 in Turkish. Additionally, special Turkish hymn masses accompanied by an organ are held on Tuesdays at 11:30. Visitors are kindly asked to be quiet during mass hours.
How to Get to St. Anthony's Church?
Since St. Anthony's Church is located at the most central point of Beyoğlu and Istiklal Street, it is quite easy to reach. Here is a guide to reaching the church with different public transport alternatives:
With M2 Yenikapı - Hacıosman Metro: The most practical way to reach the church is by metro. You can get off at the 'Taksim' stop of the metro and walk approximately 10-12 minutes (about 900 meters) towards Galatasaray Square on Istiklal Street to reach the church. If you do not want to walk, you can take the historic Nostalgic Tram from Taksim Square and get off right in front of the church.
With F1 Taksim Kabataş Funicular: If you are crossing to Kabataş by ferry from the Anatolian side, you can take the funicular from Kabataş and reach Taksim Square in 2 minutes, and from there you can walk to the church via Istiklal Street.
With T1 Bağcılar Kabataş Tram: After getting off at the Karaköy stop, you can take the historic Tunnel (F2 The World's Second Oldest Metro) line and get off at the end of Istiklal Street (Tunnel Square). When you walk for about 5-6 minutes (approximately 450 meters) towards Taksim Square from here, the church will be on your right.
By Bus or Minibus: You can use all buses passing through Tarlabaşı Boulevard (going towards Şişhane or Taksim). When you get off at the 'Ömer Hayyam' bus stop, you can reach the church by walking only 2-3 minutes from the side streets to Istiklal Street.
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