The Bulgarian St. Stephen Church

The Story of St Stephen Bulgarian Church

Throughout history, Istanbul has been home to several settlements of nationalities, and one of those was a community of Bulgarian Orthodox residents. In order to set down roots and create a home environment for themselves, the St Stephen Bulgarian Church was built, with a wonderful and fascinating history behind it

Today, visitors can gaze upon its beautiful architecture, and even visit for services, or simply to visit for quiet contemplation.

The wonderful thing about Istanbul is the fact that so many buildings of religious importance sit side by side each other in total peace and harmony. This is something very special indeed, and that means that visiting as many as possible, will really complete your cultural tour of this amazing city of two continents.

About St Stephen Bulgarian Church

Located in Balat, overlooking the stunning Golden Horn, you will find the St Stephen Bulgarian Church, or the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St Stephen of The Bulgars. The outer of the building looks very much like it is constructed of stone, with a white outer and intricate design, but it is actually made of cast iron. A fun fact that will probably shock you when you see it!

St Stephen Bulgarian Church was put in place in Istanbul in 1871, but it wasn’t originally built in the city. The church was actually put together (in cast iron) in Vienna, and it was sent down the Danube on 100 different barges, before reaching Istanbul. The church was then bolted together in situ. Despite several restoration works to keep the church in quality condition, it still stands today, as proud and as beautiful as ever.

St Stephen Bulgarian Church was the original church of the Bulgarian Exarch, a position which was actually created by the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in charge at the time. As the 1800s continued onwards, the Bulgarian subjects working with the Sultan asked to be separated from the rules of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch. This was granted, and the church remains today, with services taking place on a regular basis. There is still a community of Bulgarian orthodox residents in this area, with this particular church remaining very close to their hearts and roots in history.

Visiting St Stephen Bulgarian Church

The church is open for visitors and services, and can easily be reached via bus or a Golden Horn boat trip. You can walk from Eminonu, along the water’s edge towards Fatih in around 15 minutes, so if the weather is pleasant, this is a great thing to do, and will show you a much more authentic way of life, away from the main touristic areas. Of course, if you visit towards sunset, you will get to see that stunning golden glow which the Golden Horn is named after. It’s the stuff of legend, and you should definitely make sure you get a few photos to remember your time by!

St Stephen Bulgarian Church has recently undergone a large restoration project, but it is now open for visitors as usual. Services are held every Sunday morning, and anyone is welcome to attend. There are no set opening hours for the church other than when a service is underway, so visiting can be difficult if you can’t find the caretaker milling around! Despite that, the outer of the church is enough to draw in visitors, and again, it is another camera moment, for sure.

If you do go inside St Stephen Bulgarian Church, be sure to look at the stone altar, which is the only feature of the original church, prior to restoration work over the decades.

Of course, after you have visited the church, you should head back to Eminonu and perhaps try out one of the delicious fresh seafood restaurants underneath the famous Galata Bridge. Alternatively, stick around the Fatih area and head to one of the traditional Turkish restaurants. This is a wonderful way to really get to know the ‘real life’ side of Istanbul, and you will certainly have a full belly by the time you’ve finished your meal!

Whilst St Stephen Bulgarian Church might not be one of the most famous sights in Istanbul, these hidden gems are often some of the most rewarding spots to visit. Less crowds means you can walk around and really take in the finer details, and when it comes to some of the amazing architectural works in this city, it really is all in the small details and nods here and there.