Zülfaris Karaköy

The Zülfaris building stands out with its pale, neoclassical facade and arched windows that feel out of place against the weathered masonry of the surrounding Karaköy backstreets. Originally constructed as the Kal Kadosh ha Gadol synagogue in the nineteenth century, it served the neighborhood's Jewish community for generations. When the community dwindled, the building sat empty until a local foundation converted the interior into a museum, dedicated to preserving the history of Turkish Jews. The Torah ark remains inside the hall.