Flower Passage - undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in Istanbul. Outwardly, it somewhat resembles an opera house. Perhaps this is due to the fact that there really once was a theater on this site, which burned down during the great fire of 1870. After the incident, this land was purchased by the Greek banker Christaki Zografos Efendi. And at his request, the French architect Cleanthes Zanno built here the building of the present-day Flower Passage, originally called Cite de Pera or «Christaki Passage». Later, the building was acquired by the Grand Vizier Said Pasha, and the passage came to be called Sait Pasa Pasaji.
The origin of the name «Flower Passage» is associated with Russian emigration. After the October Revolution, a stream of refugees poured into Istanbul from Russia. Most of them lived in the Pera Street area, and to earn a living they engaged in trade. They mainly sold flowers. First in the area of Istiklal Street, and then in the passage building itself. At some point, almost the entire building was occupied by flower shops. And it was then that it began to be called Çiçek Pasajı or «Flower Passage».
In the 1950s, the flower trade was moved to another location, and fish taverns, cafes, and bars opened in the passage. Today, the building of this old shopping gallery has been well restored, and both local residents and guests of Istanbul often stop by here to stroll through the shops.
