TOUR 3
BYZANTIUM & OTTOMAN RELICS
(Walking Tour)
Full Day Tour Lunch Included
St. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great, in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time.
SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 17th century by the architect Mehmet, this is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
HIPPODROME, The scene of ancient chariot races, the ancient Hippodrome, with its four monuments; the GERMAN FOUNTAIN OF WILHELM II, the OBELISK OF THEDOSIUS, the bronze SERPENTINE COLUMN and the COLUMN OF CONSTANTINE.
GRAND BAZAAR (COVERED MARKET) In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4000 shops with each trade having its own area; the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brasware and trays, water ewers, onyxware and meerschaum pipers.
LUNCH (Drinks are extra)
TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, housing an exquisite collection of precious gems, jewellery thrones of sultans, robes worn by the sultans and their families; miniatures, the Holy Mantle; CHABER OF SACRED RELICS.
(Harem is not included in the program and visit is due to extra entrance fee.)
LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA MOSQUE is known as one of the oldest standing churches in Istanbul dating back to 6th century. It’s early domed-basilica architectural plan of famous Hagia Sophia which was applied here first time in the history. Temple is founded by powerful emperor Justinianos whose reign was golden age of Roman Empire and now is used as a mosque since 1497.
Also visioned during the tours
*AQUADUCT OF VALENS *OBELISK OF THEODOSUS *SERPENTINE COLUMN *GERMAN FOUNTAIN OF WILHELM II
CLOSED
St. Sophia on Monday / Replaced with Underground Cistern
Topkapı Palace on Tuesday / Replaced with Beylerbeyi Palace
Grand Covered Bazaar on Sunday.
