Last updated on .

Elmadağ is a small neighborhood in the district of Şişli, Istanbul, Turkey. It sits very near to Taksim Square and the hotel zone of Talimhane. There’s not much to see in Elmadağ unless you’re into architecture. 

 

Elmadağ Street

Most points of interests are pretty much along the first few blocks of Elmadağ Street walking downhill from Cumhuriyet Street.


 

Surp Agop Hospital

First, on the corner of Elmadağ Street and Cumhuriyet Street is Surp Agop Hospital (Surp Agop Hastanesi). Founded in 1837, it’s a private hospital run by the Armenian Catholic community. It owned the rights to the Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery, which was destroyed in the 1930s to develop Taksim Square, Gezi Park, and other buildings to the north. The cemetery was the largest non-Muslim cemetery in Istanbul history.

Surp Agop Hospital in Elmadağ, Istanbul, Turkey
Surp Agop Hospital

 

Elmadağ Townhomes

On the left side of the street are a row of townhomes that once housed elderly Armenians. They were under renovation when I last passed by. A huge shopping mall is being built behind them (as of January 2024) and only their façades will remain once it’s complete.

Townhomes
Townhomes
Looking across the construction site to the townhomes
Looking across the construction site to the townhomes

 

Arif Pasha Apartment

Across the street from the townhomes is the Arif Pasha Apartment (Arif Paşa Apartmanı). This imposing structure was built in 1902 for the Ottoman Empire’s last palace doctor, Sarıcazade Arif Pasha. It was designed by Ottoman Greek architect Constantin Pappa and contains 36 apartments around a Parisian-style courtyard.

Arif Pasha Apartment in Elmadağ, Istanbul, Turkey
Arif Pasha Apartment
Arif Pasha Apartment
Arif Pasha Apartment

The Arif Pasha Apartment was built for people who had to leave the palace and wanted to continue living the “palace life”. Each apartment has high ceilings and there are servants’ rooms in the attic. The apartments are popular with writers and artists. Notable residents include author Pınar Kür and pianist Ayşegül Sarıca (1935-2023).

Arif Pasha Apartment in Elmadağ, Istanbul, Turkey
Arif Pasha Apartment

 

Notre Dame de Sion French High School

Along Cumhuriyet Street to the north is Notre Dame de Sion French High School (Lycée Notre Dame de Sion / Notre Dame de Sion Özel Fransız Lisesi). The school was founded in 1856 and was the first ever girls school in the Ottoman Empire.

Notre Dame de Sion
Notre Dame de Sion

Notre Dame de Sion was closed during World War I but reopened in 1919. The school became co-educational in 1996.

Notre Dame de Sion in Elmadağ, Istanbul, Turkey
Notre Dame de Sion


 

St. Esprit Cathedral

St. Esprit Cathedral (Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Esprit / Saint Esprit Kilisesi), also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, sits behind the walls of Notre Dame de Sion. It’s the second largest Catholic church in Istanbul. The courtyard of the church is accessed through the door at 127A Cumhuriyet Street.

Door to the courtyard of St. Esprit Cathedral
Door to the courtyard

St. Esprit Cathedral was built in 1846 by Swiss-Italian architect Giuseppe Fossati (1809-1883) and French architect Julien Hillereau. Italian composer Giuseppe Donizetti (1788-1856), who was the Instructor General of the Imperial Ottoman Music under Sultan Mahmud II, is buried in the church.

St. Esprit Cathedral in Elmadağ, Istanbul, Turkey
St. Esprit Cathedral

The church has witnessed visits by four popes, including Paul VI, John Paul II,  Benedict XVI, and Francis. Angelo Roncalli, the future Pope John XXIII, served at the church when he was the Vatican’s Apostolic Delegate to Turkey from 1934 to 1944.  In the courtyard, there’s a statue of Pope Benedict XV.

Plaque commemorating the visit of Pope Benedict XVI at St. Esprit Cathedral
Plaque commemorating the visit of Pope Benedict XVI
Altar of Pope John XXIII at St. Esprit Cathedral in Elmadağ, Istanbul, Turkey
Altar of Pope John XXIII
Statue of Pope Benedict XV at St. Esprit Cathedral
Statue of Pope Benedict XV

 

Nave of St. Esprit Cathedral

We visited on a Sunday morning for the English language mass and were impressed the moment we walked into the church.

Nave of the St. Esprit Cathedral in Elmadağ, Istanbul, Turkey
Nave
Looking towards the entrance of St. Esprit Cathedral
Looking towards the entrance

The interior is gorgeous, with seemingly every square inch beautifully decorated. I was especially interested in the ornate designs on the ceiling.

Ceiling of St. Esprit Cathedral in Elmadağ, Istanbul, Turkey
Ceiling

Other than the beauty of the church, attending mass was a great experience. Every pew was full with several members of the congregation standing in the back and in the aisles. An enthusiastic group of Filipinos living in Istanbul sat up front and led the church in singing many songs. Many African migrants were also in attendance.

Pulpit of St. Esprit Cathedral
Pulpit

Even if you aren’t Catholic, it’s worth taking the time to visit St. Esprit Cathedral during mass. Besides being a beautiful service, getting to see the interior of the church in person is worth your time. Mass is held Monday through Saturday at 6pm in French. On Sundays, mass is in English at 10am followed by mass in French.

Side chapel at St. Esprit Cathedral
Side chapel

 

Map of Elmadağ

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

Write A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jump To