Saint Antoine's Catholic Church

icon-locationIstiklal Caddesi No: 171, Beyoglu, Istanbul
Located on the famous Istiklal Street in the Taksim neighborhood of Istanbul's Beyoglu district, Saint Antoine (also known as Saint Anthony of Padua or Sant'Antonio di Padova) is one of Istanbul's most beautiful and magnificent churches.

Built in 1912 in the Italian neo-Gothic style, the church is also one of the largest and part of the Roman Catholic community in Istanbul.

The church was designed by Giulio Mongeri and Eduardo de Nari, two famous architects in the neo-Gothic style. If you look at the façade, you will see that it reflects the 14th century tuscanlombard style and with a latin cross shaped building.

Saint Antoine was a Portuguese Catholic priest who lived between 1195 and 1231 under the disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is known as a miracle worker, as well as the patron saint of the search for all things and people.

Saint Antoine Catholic Church is on Istiklal Road, very easy to walk to. The church was built of red brick in Gothic style from 1906 after the old church built in 1724 was demolished to make way for a new tramway. Along with St Mary Draperis and St. Peter's Church or a few others, St Anthony of Padua is one of the most important Catholic churches in Istanbul, and among them is the largest community following the Mass.

The stone flowers on the top of the columns and the blue vaulted ceiling give it a sense of flight. This may be why it is also one of the venues for the annual Istanbul Music Festival.

Some interesting information about Saint Antoine Church, Turkey

  • When Pope John XXIII visited Istanbul in 2003, he preached in St. Antoine and his statue are placed in the courtyard.
  • The impressive organ above the entrance was built by the Italian company, Vincenzo Mascioni (Cuvio Varese) in 1949.
  • The cathedral is filled with artwork including Luigi Brescani's gilded wooden statue of Saint Anthony, as well as two mosaics depicting the Dinner at Emmaus and the Baptism of the Lord.

If you walk down to Istiklal Caddesi from Taksim Square, continue across to Galatasaray Square. After a minute or two of walking, you'll see Sent Antuan Kilisesi (as it's locally called) on your left hand side.


Opening hours: daily, from 09:00 to 19:00

Address : Istiklal Caddesi No: 171, Beyoglu, Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 244 09 35

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