Last updated on .
Boyacıköy is a small village on the European side of the Bosporus in Istanbul, Turkey. It lies in the Sarıyer district.
Introduction to Boyacıköy
Boyacıköy, which translates to Village of the Dyers, is named for a large group of master fabric dyers resettled in the area in the late 18th century by Sultan Selim III. Originally from Thrace and Kırklareli, their sole function was to dye textiles produced in Constantinople. The clean waters from nearby streams and the Bosporus made the area ideal for this purpose.
Boyacıköy was once a multicultural neighborhood. In the late Ottoman period, it had significant Greek and Armenian communities living alongside Turks. Many contributed to local crafts such as dyeing and weaving. According to local documents, in 1914 there were 350 Greek, 50 Armenian, and 30 Muslim households in the neighborhood.
Today, however, the dyeing industry has disappeared. It’s also worth mentioning that although Boyacıköy is administratively part of Emirgan, it retains its own distinct identity. The few minor attractions in the area are remnants of the diverse communities once found there.
Getting to Boyacıköy
To get to Boyacıköy, you can take the 22 bus from Kabataş; the 40T from either Kabataş or the Park Otel stop in Gümüşsuyu near Taksim Square; or the 22RE or 40 from Beşiktaş. The nearest ferry terminal is at Emirgan, which has service on the City Ferry Lines (Şehir Hatları) every hour or so from Eminönü and Beşiktaş.
Panagia Evangelistria Greek Orthodox Church
Along Fırın Street is Panagia Evangelistria Greek Orthodox Church (Εὐαγγελισμοῦ τῆς Θεοτόκου Βαφεοχωρίου / Panayia Evangelistria Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi). It was built in 1834 and renovated in 1925. The church has a nave with two aisles and once had a functioning primary school from kindergarten up to fifth grade.
Surp Yerits Mangants Armenian Church
A few blocks away is Surp Yerits Mangants Armenian Church (Surp Yerits Mangants Ermeni Kilisesi). It was originally built as a wooden church by Misak Amira Misakyan between 1836 and 1840 in memory of his father, Bedros Amira Misakyan. The church was later rebuilt with stone and bricks and opened for worship on September 8, 1885. An Armenian School opened the same year.
Sayat Nova Choir, founded at the church in 1972, also carries out research on Armenian folk music. The church is still active and was renovated in 2004. Since 1820, it has also owned a cemetery located a few blocks away on Zergerdan Street. Misak Amira Misakyan’s tomb is in the courtyard of the church.
Mahmud II Fountain
Finally, walking down the hill along Hekim Ata Street you’ll notice the Mahmud II Fountain (II. Mahmut Meydan Çeşmesi). It was commissioned by Sultan Mahmud II in honor of his father Abdülhamid I and built by Grand Vizier Hüsrev Mehmed Pasha in the first half of the 19th century. The Sultan’s tughra decorates the façade. The fountain is no longer functional and was restored in 2008. The space is front was being used for seating for the café across the street.
