SALT Galata - an Afternoon Art Adventure
Of all the cities in the world, only one has my whole heart.
Istanbul.
Istanbul is gorgeous, soulful, melancholy, and delicious. Charming cobbled streets weave between Ottoman architecture. Rooftop terraces reveal a low-rise sea of placid red-tiled roofs. Playful seagulls wake you up, their deep call beckoning for you to join them on the tranquil seaside.
The seaside. Oh, that stunning, sparkling, absolutely perfect Bosphorus seaside. A seaside so marvelous it rustles from within a jillion of unwritten romantic poems.
I lived in Istanbul for 4 years and was fortunate to return for a 3 week holiday to ring in the new decade. As we are in pursuit of art, over the next few weeks I’ll take you on a creative journey through Istanbul.
SALT Galata
First destination is SALT Galata. You can easily spend a few hours exploring this building formally used as the headquarters for the Imperial Ottoman Bank (1892-1999). The architecture of this cultural institution is refined with marble floors, magnificent ceilings, perfectly preserved details, and a light that is warm and airy.
All the exhibitions and lectures I’ve attended over the years were engaging and refreshing, ranging from illustrations, VR experiences, and experimental sound art.
SALT Research is a library filled with students studying, rare books, hidden reading nooks, archives, and references for Turkish art history. Before I moved abroad I was obsessed with buying ALL the art magazines, but now I can find a cozy spot and catch up on my reading, as their collection is quite ample.
In the basement you’ll find the unique Ottoman Bank Museum. Don’t miss your chance to explore the historical vaults, peruse portraits of past employees, accounting books, banknotes, and other documents on display.
You can also have a coffee in the cafe, gaze upon the Golden Horn, enjoy a romantic dinner at Neolokal, browse the books at Robinson Crusoe bookshop, and take selfies in their highly instagrammable bathrooms!
Or, you could make it afternoon Art Adventure!
Kasa Galeri, SALT Galata, Anna Laudel Gallery, Kamondo Stairs, Graffiti walk, Galata Tower, Cocktails at Georges Hotel, dinner at Community Vegan Kitchen (map included!)
I would start this art adventure at Kasa Galeri in Minerva Han, formerly the Bank of Athens, built in the early 20th century. This Sabancı University gallery is known for experimental art from local and international artists. Plus, I really love the staircase leading down to the art vault.
Throughout this art adventure you’ll spot striking portraits by French street artist, Guaté Mao. He brings a welcomed worldly point of view. Let’s play a game: how many pieces can you find and photograph!? Leave a comment below!
Next visit SALT Galata, featured above.
Then walk across the street to Anna Laudel Gallery (NOTE: opens at noon). Personally one of my favorite galleries in the city with 5 floors of art, a bookstore, a wonderful art shop (prints, photographs, small sculptures, notecards, wearable art), and Monies, a small shop featuring the undeniably stunning avant-garde jewelry by Gerda and Nikolai Monies from Denmark.
Beside Anna Laudel Gallery you can climb the art-nouveau Kamondo Stairs built by a Jewish banker around 1870, as a shortcut to his grandchildren’s school. The story goes, he made them curvy to stop them from tumbling down if they ever fell. Istanbul is known for street musicians, so you’ll most likely find a flutist or other busker adding nostalgic charm to your journey.
Enjoy the graffiti lined street as you continue walking towards the iconic medieval Galata Tower. Casting a shadow over the busy streets of Galata, a bygone beacon once used for surveillance is now one of Istanbul’s busiest attractions with panoramic views. You can go to the top for 25TL or keep walking.
Shopaholics beware! There are cute boutiques in the area: Clandestino, Dogo, Crash, Aponia, Eleni Vintage, El Dorado (a magical wonderland worth walking through, picture below), and Lunapark, are a few of my favorites. If you don’t want to check out these shops, keep walking straight via the map included below from Galata Tower to Georges Hotel, point D to H.
Now it’s your choice to choose, cocktails or dinner? I say both, but of course in what order is up to you!
The Georges Hotel Galata has the most marvelous views from their rooftop terrace and super lush cocktails infused with lavender, butterfly pea, and fresh fig! A perfectly dreamy combination.
Dinner at Community Kitchen is a 5-minute walk away. The menu is limited, but I highly recommend the vegan iskender, a well known dish from northwestern Turkey originally made with thinly sliced pieces of lamb. If it’s not on the menu board, just ask! You will question a thousand times, “Are you sure this isn’t meat?” This family-run vegan cafe is cozy, the food is outstanding and locally sourced, and the owner is sweet as can be.
