Private Fener Greek High School

It is one of the three must-see places in Balat. It is a very beautiful place. It opens once a year on special weekends in its area. You can enter the school on Saturdays and Sundays. It is one of the places you should visit when you come across those days. Other places are the Bulgarian Church and the Patriarchate.

Amazing like everything the Greeks did❗Wear comfortable shoes, the college lies on a hill, therefore the streets are steep. Definitely worth a visit.

This building was built in 1881 (you can see the architects name on the back of the tower) for the Greek College of Fener, an institution that began shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453,making it the oldest educational institution in the city. Beautiful to look at though very difficult to get permission to enter. The school is still active and has about 60 students.

....it was New Years day so the school was close but we were brought here to witness and see the Very old establishment which was started in the year 1454! Its always an exceptional experience to see the old preserved! this school is still full-lii functional and is the second largest private school in Istanbul with 15 Greek teachers & 6 Turkish teachers active-lii involved in running the school! Just to mention that it is in the Phanar district of Istanbul and what is very fascinating too see is the Very Steep Inclining streets, the gradients is almost straight-up! Its a wonder to see the many elder-lii people with full loads battling to go up to their homes which is sometimes right at the top!....awesome just to be here and observe this!....................

A private school with unique architectural building. You can spot on from afar, ans becoming a tourism photo spot.

Never been inside, but the whole area is so picturesque and dramatically situated on the hills… one of my favorite areas of Istanbul.

This impressive red Greek school building dates from 1881 but the fitst Greek school was founded here in 1453! Still operating as an elementary school and a college today. Access is via very steep streets.

Phanar Greek Orthodox College, also known as The Red Castle is the oldest surviving and most prestigious Greek Orthodox school in Istanbul, located in the Fener neighberhood.
The large dome at the top of the building is used as an observatory for astronomy classes, so cool !
Worth a visit.

One of the most recognizable buildings in Istanbul that reminds me Hogwarts)) If want to take nice photo I advice to walk up to Tevki-i- Cafer mosque.

Situated up a steep hill in the Fener neighborhood. Some call it the regal red brick building the Red Castle, others call it the Big Red School. To the Greeks, it’s a symbol of a legacy they left on the city and the Ottoman Empire. It is a massive structure with very high ceilings and a dome that functions as an astronomical observatory.

If you circle back around behind the Greek School you’ll find a secret passageway that leads to ‘Hogwarts Express’ (one of the older stations) look out for the 4-6-0 Hall Class steam locomotive model number GWR 5900, otherwise you’ll find yourself back at Marmaray! On a more serious note it is definitely one of my favourite buildings in Istanbul, quite impressive.

In my opinion it's one of the 'most beautiful buildings' in Istanbul and unfortunately this is as close as I can get there.
It was built in 1454 and the plot of the school belonged to Dimitri Kantemir.
Today's building was built/completed between
1880-1882 by architect Konstantinos Dimadis, who also graduated from this school.
This is a 'must see ' place.

It is one of the most beautiful places in Istanbul and Balat

Can only see the school from the exterior, but definitely worth the visit.

The architecture is great. The building goes back to 1454.

A historic place for the Greek people.

Fener Greek Boys High School, located in Fatih, Sancaktar Street, is one of few Greek institutions still operating in İstanbul. It was inaugurated according to an agreement between Patriarch Gennaidos and Mehmed the Conqueror in 1454. It has been called “Patriarch Academy,” “Great Greek School” and “Red School,” after the color of the building. Built in 1881 by architect Konstantinos Dimadis from materials brought from Marseillies, it is located on land that belonged to Dimitri Kantemir, the Prince of Moldova. Its red fire bricks and domed tower make the school a prominent feature on the horizon line of Fatih and it remains one of the most dominant structures on the Golden Horn. The school continues to function, now with the name “Private Fener Greek and Elementary School.”

Beautiful building! It's a shame that the neighbourhood is a little bit in ruins tough...

A magnificent building in Fener neighborhood. It was erected between 1881 and 1883 with an eclectic mix of different styles. Despite its function as a school, the building is often referred to as "the 5th largest castle in Europe" because of its castle-like shape.

After the conquest of Istanbul, the ruling class and merchants of Byzantium left the city and took shelter in the Aegean Islands, Italy and France. The sultan of the period, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, called all the Orthodox of Istanbul back to the city in 1454. The sultan, who made this call official with an edict, declared that the Orthodox would be able to receive education in their own language, they would be able to revive their patriarchate and they would be able to perform all their worship freely as in the past. Thereupon, some of the former Byzantines who left Istanbul returned to the city.

The Patriarchate was placed in the Apostolic Church. The office of the Patriarchate, which was later transferred to Fethiye Church (today's Fethiye Mosque), was finally moved to its current location in Fener. In accordance with the agreement made between Patriarch Gennadios and Fatih Sultan, a school was established within the borders of Fener in 1454. The Ottoman Empire provided wide opportunities to this educational institution. Many administrators, chief translators, patriarchs and religious officials were trained in this school.

During the Ottoman period, the principals of the school were chosen from among the religious officials. The lessons taught were mainly theological. In addition to this, ancient and contemporary philosophy and literature classes were also available. Among the teachers of the school were very famous writers and researchers. Among them, father and son Zigomos, Theophilos Koridaleus, Alexandros Mavrokordatos, Avgenios Vulgaris and Konstantin Kumas were world-famous names.

The school turned into a classical high school after 1861. In 1903, a department for training primary school teachers, giving classical philology and pedagogy education was added to the school.

The school was named Fener Greek Boys' High School after the republic. Education was given to female students in a building located on Tevkii Cafer Mektebi Sokak, right next to the school. After it was decided that the schools would be mixed, the female students moved to the Fener Greek Boys High School building.