Barnathan Apartments – 128 Years of Neoclassical Elegance

Built in 1892–1893, Barnathan Apartments is one of Galata’s very first multi-storey residences. Its twin marble portals still bear the original inscriptions—1892 and 1893, alongside the Hebrew years 5652 and 5654—honouring the Barnathan family whose name the building proudly carries.

Behind its monumental façade you’ll find a textbook example of late-19th-century neoclassicism: Corinthian pilasters, ornate cast-iron balustrades and hand-carved marble staircases that echo the grandeur of ancient Greece and Rome. This architectural revival swept across the world after the American and French revolutions, and Barnathan captures that cosmopolitan spirit right here in Istanbul.

Today, soaring ceilings, sun-drenched rooms and lovingly restored period details mingle seamlessly with the modern comforts discerning travellers expect—inviting you to experience Galata’s history without giving up a single contemporary luxury.