Italian-Levantines in Istanbul: Memory and Heritage

The study of the Italian communities abroad has seen unprecedented developments in recent years following the establishment of a large number of study centres, associations, museums and university departments dedicated to the study and preservation of the Italian migration heritage. While it is common to hear about Little Italy, Petite Italie and Barrio Italiano, unfortunately, the Italian migration heritage still remains largely unknown for the Eastern Mediterranean regions. Yet, in this very same geographical area, resides one of the most ancient Italian communities abroad: the Italian-Levantines. This short paper aims at exploring the Italian heritage in Istanbul and the ongoing projects which are addressed to create an Italian-Levantine memory.