The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate moved to its new site in the district of Fener in 1601, and from this time on wealthy Greek families began to settle in Fener. In the 19th century, however, they moved to new homes in Beyoglu on the other side of the Golden Horn, and Fener went into decline. Today it is a dilapidated but quaint area of steep cobbled streets and old stone houses with bay windows, where it is a pleasure to wander around, getting lost and discovering the many historic buildings here. Referred to locally as the Red School, Fener Greek Boys High School is a much older institution than the building itself, which dates only from 1881.
It was established in Byzantine times as the Patriarchate School and with the exception of a brief period following the Turkish conquest, has remained the principal Greek school in Istanbul ever since. Sultan Mehmed II conquered Istanbul in 1453 and in 1454 gave permission for the school to reopen. In Ottoman times it became known as the Megali Scholio or the Great School.

The school was built according to anti-seismic principles so it has not suffered much earthquake damage. The bricks were imported from France. The lobed dome has a high drum and lantern light. In the high ceilinged top storey is an observatory with a telescope. Another Greek school of the same period, Zografyon, specialised in mathematics, while Fener Boys High School specialised in literature and history.

Another Greek school of the same period, Zografyon, specialised in mathematics, while Fener Boys High School specialised in literature and history. Hanging on the walls of the school hall are oil paintings depicting writers and philosophers. Other paintings illustrate ancient stories from Homer's Iliad. The interior of the hall is predominantly neo-classical in style, with palmettes, ovolo and bead mouldings and composite column capitals. Bird motifs on the capitals lend a fairytale-like touch in keeping with the exterior.

Meander motifs symbolising infinity feature both on the façade and in the interior decoration. Another allegorical motif is the owl, the ancient symbol of wisdom, which appears in relief on the upper parts of the walls in the school hall.

Hanging on the walls of the school hall are oil paintings depicting writers and philosophers. Other paintings illustrate ancient stories from Homer's Iliad. The interior of the hall is predominantly neo-classical in style, with palmettes, ovolo and bead mouldings and composite column capitals. Bird motifs on the capitals lend a fairytale-like touch in keeping with the exterior. Meander motifs symbolising infinity feature both on the façade and in the interior decoration. Another allegorical motif is the owl, the ancient symbol of wisdom, which appears in relief on the upper parts of the walls in the school hall.

The school has ten classrooms, a library, and computer, chemistry, physics and biology laboratories. Today around 70 pupils, both boys and girls, attend the school. A former pupil, now a specialist in internal medicine, Dr Yorgi Adosoglu, said that in the past there were about 400 boys at the school, and there were no women on the staff. He recalled that some of the pupils used to help at Sunday services in the patriarchal church.

The school is visible from a considerable distance, and immediately recognisable with its red brick and white decoration. To reach it is a short but steep walk up the steep winding roads from the southern shore of the Golden Horn.