Hi! Today I would like to continue our exploration of Istanbul's underground spaces. We've already visited several underground cisterns and seen the ruins of an ancient palace located right beneath one of the city cafes. Today, I will show you an unusual underground gallery situated in the heart of the metropolis.
How to get to the tunnel
The attraction is not easy to call popular, although the entrance is located on the famous Istanbul street, Istiklal. To reach the tunnel, you need to find house number 48, and the entrance is marked by a richly decorated arch with two columns. On one side of it, you'll see a sign that says 'Rumeli Han' with an image of the Galata Tower.
During my visit, there was a guy by the doors of the tunnel where you could pay the entrance fee. The cost for tourists is $5, while locals are charged 50 Turkish liras (as of May 2023). It's worth noting that currently, there is ongoing reconstruction, and in the future, the payment process for the visit may become more streamlined.
A bit of history
Let's start with the name. In architecture, khans refer to Eastern-style inns, often with an inner courtyard surrounded by rows of living quarters. The earliest such buildings were found in Syria. In the Ottoman Empire, these inns became part of larger complexes with mosques, baths, and other structures.
Rumeli Han is one of three inns built on Istiklal Street and named after territories once ruled by the Ottoman Empire. At that time, African and Anatolian khans appeared here. The name Rumeli is likely connected to the word 'Rumelia,' which was previously used to refer to the Balkan territories conquered by the Ottomans. Today, this term is applied to the European part of Turkey west of Istanbul.
The tunnel was built in 1895, but it was only discovered during a recent restoration. Currently, not all parts of the structure are open, and some of its rooms remain bricked up.
The Rumeli Han complex is currently undergoing reconstruction. In the future, it will house a hotel with a restaurant, and the underground tunnel will be used as an exhibition space.
The attraction is an extensive underground gallery with passages to other rooms. Interestingly, at the top of the tunnel, there are hatches through which the street is visible, and the sounds of the lively metropolis can be heard.
Not far from the underground complex, there are numerous Istanbul landmarks, making it easy to plan further exploration of the city. One of the nearby interesting places is the delightful St Antony`s Cathedral.
Have a nice trip!
