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The seedier neighbor to Moda is Rasimpaşa. This area in Kadıköy, just steps away from one of Istanbul’s nicest neighborhoods, is much less visited for the simple fact that it doesn’t have as much to offer.
Hemdat Israel Synagogue
Inland from the ferry terminals are a couple points of interest related to the non-Turkish citizens of the Ottoman Empire. The most important of these sites is the Hemdat Israel Synagogue (Hemdat İsrael Sinagogu), which sits behind a high concrete wall and barbed wire fence with security cameras. It was built in 1899 during tensions between the Greek and Jewish communities of Constantinople. It’s possible to visit the synagogue by contacting the Chief Rabbinate of Istanbul in advance.
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
The next site is the St. George Greek Orthodox Church. This small church was built in 1918.
Our Lady of the Rosary Church
Finally, there’s the former Our Lady of the Rosary Church (Église Notre-Dame du Rosaire), which was a French Catholic church built in 1895. In March 2014, it reopened as the Windmill Art Center (Yeldeğirmeni Sanat Merkezi).
Ottoman Buildings
There are some colorful Ottoman homes scattered throughout the neighborhood. Some have been nicely restored and others are falling apart.
