The Story of the Kamondo Stairs: A Family, a City and Pera
İstanbul, where historical and modern structures are uniquely intertwined, resembles an outdoor museum with its streets that are bearing the traces of different cultures in almost every corner. The stairs that connect these streets and make it easier to climb the steep slopes of the city also hold an important place among the remarkable architectural structures of İstanbul. One of these stairs, visited by thousands of tourists every year, is the Kamondo Stairs, which stand out with its fascinating story and eye-catching architecture. Also known as the Lovers’ Staircase today, this structure has become an important symbol of İstanbul over time. Let’s discover the story and architecture of these unmatched stairs, which were built by the Kamondo family at the intersection of Voyvoda Street and Banker Street in Karaköy in the late 19th century.
The Unmatched Story of the Kamondo Stairs
The Kamondo Stairs were built by the Kamondo family, one of the most important banking families of the Ottoman Empire. Abraham Salomon Kamondo, one of the elders of the family, had these stairs built so that his grandchildren, who were studying at the Austrian High School at the time, could easily go to school. However, the structure did not only make life easier for the family, but it also created an important comfort area for the Levantines living in İstanbul. The Kamondo Stairs, which the Levantine community used to go from their workplaces in Galata to their homes in Pera, eventually became an alternative way for people to reach their destinations faster and safer.
Architectural Features of Kamondo Stairs
Kamondo Stairs is an architecturally fascinating structure. These stairs, which are an unmatched combination of Neo-Baroque and early Art Nouveau styles, add a modern touch to the architectural understanding of the period with their innovative design. Kamondo Stairs resemble a braid with their interesting design that progresses in two parts and in a rotating manner. The main reason for the stairs being designed in this way is to ensure that a person can slow down and stop at one point in case of falling from above.
The stairs, where different styles such as neo-classical and empire come together, also attract attention with their eclectic style. These stairs, which are still used today, continue to amaze their visitors with their aesthetic appearance and engineering marvel structure.
Unknown Aspects of the Kamondo Family
The Kamondo Family, who escaped from the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century, first settled in Venice and then in İstanbul in the 17th century. The bank established by the family, who were pioneers of modern banking, developed in a short time and became one of the respected international institutions of the period. These successes of the family also contributed greatly to Galata becoming a modern financial center in the 19th century. After a while, the family also started to provide financial consultancy to the Ottoman palace and over time, they obtained various privileges.
The Kamondo family also pioneered the establishment of the Altıncı Daire-i Belediye, which is the first municipality of İstanbul. Playing an active role in many areas from the opening of new educational institutions to the modernization of the infrastructure of the city, from cultural investments to different architectural projects, the Kamondo family undertook many important projects that served to shape the identity of İstanbul.
It is possible to say that the Kamondo family is known not only for the Kamondo Stairs that they have built but also for the various works that they carried out for the general development of İstanbul. The North Naval Area Command in Kasımpaşa, the Galata Residence, the Kamondo Hanı on Serdar-ı Ekrem Street, the Büyükada Han on Meşrutiyet Street, the Saatçi Han in Karaköy, Latif Han, Lacivert Han, Yakut Han, Kuyumcular Han, Lüleci Han and Gül Han are just a few of the countless buildings that bear the traces of the Kamondo family.
A Historical Path from Kamondo Stairs to Pera Palace Hotel
Kamondo Stairs is a structure that stands out with its rich history and dazzling architecture as well as its location. You can take a pleasant walk through the streets of Galata with the stairs that connect Bankalar Street to the upper parts of Karaköy and extend from there to Beyoğlu. When you continue your journey towards Pera, you can also get the opportunity to experience the nostalgic atmosphere of Pera Palace Hotel.
Opened in 1892 and has a deep-rooted history, Pera Palace Hotel is a fascinating structure reflecting the Art Nouveau style, just like the Kamondo Stairs. This iconic hotel, which is the last stop of the Orient Express, has hosted many famous names such as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway and Pierre Loti. You too can gather unforgettable memories by embarking on a pleasant İstanbul tour starting from the Kamondo Stairs and ending at the Pera Palace Hotel with your loved ones.
