Kuzguncuk

Kuzguncuk is a traditional district in Uskudar, which is located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. The neighborhood is centered around a valley that opens up to the Bosphorus and is partially secluded from the rest of the city due to its surroundings of nature reserves, cemeteries, and a military base. The streets of Kuzguncuk are peaceful and are lined with historic Ottoman wooden homes. Its name, "Little Raven" in Turkish, is said to have originated from a holy figure named Kuzgun Baba who resided in the area during the reign of Sultan Mehmet II, or from the mutation of a previous name, Kozinitza. In Kuzguncuk, you'll find two synagogues, the Bet Yaakov Synagogue built in 1878, and the Bet Nissim Synagogue constructed in the 1840s. The Nakkastepe Jewish Cemetery is also located in this area. The community features several churches, including the Surp Krikor Lusavoriç (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Armenian Church, first established in 1835, rebuilt in 1861; the Ayios Yeorgios (Saint George) Greek Orthodox Church; the Ayios Panteleimon (Saint Pantaleon) Greek Orthodox Church; and the Ayios Ioannis (Saint John) Greek Orthodox Sanctuary.