Cicek Passage, Flower Passage

Cicek Pasaji literally means flower passage; also known as Cite de Pera in French. It is one of the many historic buildings that adorn the Istiklal avenue. On the site of Cicek Pasaji originally there was the Naum Theatre which was burned during the great fire of Pera in 1870. After the fire of 1870, the theatre was purchased by the local Greek banker Hristaki Zografos Efendi. The actual building designed by italian architect Zanno. First years the building was called Cite de Pera or Hristaki Pasaji.

  The Ottoman Grand Vizier Sait Pasa purchased the building in 1908 and it became known as the Sait Pasa Passage. By the 1940s the building was mostly occupied by flower shops, hence the present Turkish name Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage). Following the restoration of the building in 1988, it was reopened as a galleria of pubs and restaurants. The most recent restoration was made in December 2005.