The street where the heart of trade beats in Izmir: Historical Havra Street

In the historical Havra Street in Konak, Izmir, which is named after the Synagogues where Jews lived in the past, and which are also known as Havra, has become one of the city’s most important commercial centers since the transformation of houses into workplaces. The historical Havra Street never lacks vitality and crowds on weekdays and weekends.

Named after the Synagogues or Havras where Jews lived in the past, the historical Havra Street has become one of the most important points where trade thrives in Izmir. Over time, as the houses left by Jews turned into workplaces, this street, which has become a symbol of the city, hosts dozens of local and foreign tourists every day.

Located in Konak and connecting Ikiçeşmelik with Kemeraltı, Havra Street is bustling and lively seven days a week. In this historical street with dozens of businesses, you can find fishermen, cheesemongers, greengrocers, butchers, confectioners, and many more tradesmen. Havra Street, where the heart of commerce beats from the early hours of the morning, is always bustling not only on weekdays but also on weekends.

“This has been Havra Street since the Ottoman Empire”
Speaking about practicing the tinwork trade, which has been his father’s profession for about 60 years on Havra Street, 68-year-old tin master Sakıp Taş said, “This place has been Havra Street since the Ottoman Empire. 50-60 years ago, there were various tradesmen here. Mostly, the tinwork trade, which is my profession, was here. People visit and say ‘Mezarlıkbaşı, Havra Street.’ As a neighborhood, it is also known as Güzelyurt Mahallesi. Since the time of the Ottomans, there have been 9 Havras here. Fishermen, poultry sellers, greengrocers go to the wholesale market every morning and bring fresh products here. Our citizens come here to shop because it is cheap,” he said.

“All these businesses you see here used to be houses, turned into shops over time”
Operating the workbench inherited from his father and working as a tradesman on the historical Havra Street since 1980, İzzet Yedikardeş said his childhood was spent on the street. Yedikardeş, who stated that in the past, the houses where Jews stayed turned into workplaces over time, said, “My childhood was spent here, we have been here since I was 10 years old. I used to be a greengrocer before, and for the past 15-20 years, I have been in the fishery business. The specialty of this place is that the Synagogues are here. This used to be the settlement area of the Jews. All these businesses you see here used to be houses. They turned into shops over time. I remember from my childhood, there were two Jews living here, and after they passed away, their houses turned into shops. This place is open 7 days a week, including Sundays. That’s why there is a density of trade here,” he said.

“Trade has been running intensively on this street for years”
Kenan Peker (34), who stated that he has been running a shop as a fisherman on Havra Street for 7 years, said, “According to what I heard from our elders, this is the fastest street in Izmir. Trade has been running intensively on this street for years. People come from Foça, Çeşme to buy fish here. When Foça, Çeşme is mentioned, these areas come to mind as the places where fish are most abundant; but people generally prefer here because it is of better quality and more affordable. It is a lively street, and we can make a living here now,” he said.

Hüseyin Yılmaz, 85, who stated that he has been shopping on Havra Street for about 60-70 years, said, “I have been shopping here since I was 15. I come here to buy fish. This street is historical,” he said.