Balat: History & Colors + Pottery and Ceramic Class

Sveti Stefan Church, also known as the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, is a unique cast-iron church located in the Balat district of Istanbul. Built in the late 19th century, it was prefabricated in Vienna and then transported to Istanbul, where it was assembled on-site. The church features Neo-Gothic architectural elements and is one of the few surviving metal churches in the world. It serves as a significant religious and cultural landmark for the Bulgarian community in Istanbul.

St. George's Cathedral, located in the Balat district of Istanbul, is the principal church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Serving as the spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church, it has been the seat of the Patriarch since the early 17th century. The cathedral features a modest exterior but houses an ornate interior with important religious relics, including icons, patriarchal thrones, and relics of saints. It remains an active place of worship and a significant site for Orthodox Christianity.

It seems like you are referring to the Phanar Greek Orthodox College (Fener Rum Erkek Lisesi), often mistakenly called the "Red Church" due to its striking red brick structure. This historic school, located in the Fener district of Istanbul, was founded in 1454 and has served as one of the most prestigious Greek Orthodox educational institutions in the city. Its impressive red-brick facade, designed in the late 19th century, makes it one of the most recognizable landmarks in Fener. The school continues to function today, preserving the Greek Orthodox heritage in Istanbul.