Church of St Anthony of Padua

Experience The Beauty The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua

As you walk down busy and bustling Istiklal Street is the centre of Taksim, about halfway down, on your left-hand side, you will see some gates, probably with a few security guards outside. You will see people walking in and out of these gates quite freely. You might be tempted to walk inside and see what this is all about. It’s to be recommended. Inside these gates you will find the beautiful Church of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Known locally as Sant’Antonio di Padova, or Saint Antoine Kilisesi, this church is a busy and popular place to head to, and during the weeks leading up to Christmas there is a beautiful nativity scene outside, a large Christmas tree, and Christmas carols being sung. The fact that the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is so easily accessible from one of the busiest parts of Istanbul, makes it a must visit for everyone, regardless of belief. The architecture and history alone is something to behold.

About The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is often shortened to Saint Antoine Church, and is the largest Roman Catholic Church in the city of Istanbul. The church was originally built for the thriving Italian community within the city, back in 1725, however the original building, constructed in red brick, was knocked down to make way for a public transportation system. In 1912, the church was rebuilt by Giuliu Mongeri, a renowned architect, and stands to this day as a stunning Neo-gothic and Tuscan-Lombard architectural design.

In order to learn more about The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, we really need to learn about the main himself. St Anthony of Padua was a Catholic priest of Portuguese descent, who dies in 1231. He was the most important disciple of St Francis of Assisi, and he was widely considered to be a miracle worker and an important patron saint. The church was built in his honour, and was visited by Pope John XXIII in 2003, who conducted a service during his visit. Today you can see a statue of Pope John XXIII in the patio of the church, to commemorate this important point in recent history.

Visiting The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua

Of course, back in the days when the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua was built, Taksim was nowhere near as busy and modern as it is today. Even when the second building round took place, the church was not surrounded by shops and entertainment facilities!

As Istanbul has grown and become a popular place to visit, the modern day facilities which surround the church have grown, but it still maintains it peace and serenity, set back from the main street, with the outer gates protecting it from the noise. It’s quite strange how you can go from busy metropolis just a few feet away, enter the gates and feel completely calm and serene. It’s something most people comment on, and it’s a must do experience.

We mentioned the Christmas display which is set up every year and again, this is something you have to see with your own eyes. The calmness and the lights really gives a very emotional feel the to the space, and whether you are Christian, Catholic, Muslim, or any other religion, it is an atmosphere to be experienced.

Once you go inside the church, you will find various different pieces of artwork, such as a wooden statue of St Anthony, and two beautiful mosaics, one of which is designed to show the Baptism of The Lord. The interior is very intricate and beautifully designed, and it’s important that you take your time exploring, so you don’t miss one of the smaller, impressive details in the various pieces of artwork on display.

The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua

The church is open daily from 9am until 7pm, and there is a daily mass service too. Prayer times are at 8am from Monday until Saturday and on a Sunday at 10am. You can hear masses in several languages, including English, Polish, Italian, and in Turkish.

There is no entrance fee to go inside the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, however donations are always welcome, and will go towards the upkeep of the church, for future generations to visit.

Of course, the fact that the church is located on Istiklal Street in the middle of Taksim makes it very easy to find. The church is about halfway down the long street, and situated on the left hand side as you walk downwards. Look for the gates and you will be there.

Once you’ve finished exploring the church, either for a mass service or simply to visit, you can take advantage of the various other attractions within the nearby area. Galata Tower is just a few minutes’ walk from the church; if you continue in the same direction (down Istiklal Avenue), you will come to Galatasaray High School, keep walking and you will come to a more narrow, cobbled street which goes quite steeply downhill.

This is a very busy walking street, but cars do occasionally come down too, so be aware to move to one side. About halfway down this hill you will see the Galata Tower. You can go inside and head up to the top, checking out the most amazing view of the entire city, and you can have a cup of tea or coffee at the cafe at the top too.