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Çukurcuma is the place to go for antiques in Istanbul. Through the area’s narrow streets, you’ll be able to find all kinds of interesting treasures. The area is technically named Firuzağa but it’s commonly known as Çukurcuma.
Many shops are located along Çukur Cuma Street, but you can also find them on Faik Pasha and Bostanbaşı Streets. There are art galleries and cafés as well as the excellent Museum of Innocence.
Ömer Ağa Fountain
One minor historic landmark along Çukur Cuma Street is the Ömer Ağa Fountain (Ömer Ağa Çeşmesi). It was built in 1731 and sits near the Muhyiddin Molla Fenari Mosque (Muhyiddin Molla Fenari Camii).
Cezayir Street
Running between Bostanbaşı and Hayriye Streets are the narrow stairs of Cezayir Street. Some of my Turkish friends told me to visit this street because it’s just like France. In fact, it’s nicknamed French Street (Fransız Sokak).
It turns out that there’s nothing French about it, unless you count overpriced Turkish restaurants with French names and pink and blue couches. Yes, it’s a scenic street, but there’s really nothing special about it.
I also found the restaurant hosts quite annoying. Just about every single place I walked past, someone popped out and shoved a menu in my face.
Cezayir Apartment
Past the entrance to Cezayir Street is the Cezayir Apartment (Cezayir Apartmanı), which was once the Italian Opera School (İtalyan Opera Okulu) built in 1901. Today, it houses the Cezayir Restaurant.
Firuzağa Mosque
Finally, on the corner where Çukurcuma meets Cihangir is the Firuzağa Mosque (Firuzağa Camii). It was originally built in 1491 by Firuz Ağa, the head treasurer of Sultan Bayezid II. It was destroyed by fire on March 11, 1823, and rebuilt by Mahmud II. The mosque sits atop retail space and there are several cafés and restaurants nearby.
In the Area…
From Çukurcuma, you can explore Cihangir or Tomtom. If you walk uphill along Yeni Çarşı Street, you can reach Istiklal Street. You can also walk downhill along Boğazkesen Street to Tophane and the Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque.
