ISTANBUL – BYZANTINE MAJESTY

DESCRIPTION – Istanbul: Byzantine Majesty

Istanbul is a city full of history well known for its Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. Many of its buildings are a reflection of the towns and empires that have ruled the city.

We will start our guided tour at the Sultan Ahmed mosque (optional inside visit), known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built during the rule of Ahmed I. Right outside the mosque there’s the Hippodrome of Constantinople which was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople. Its origins date back to the beginning of the third century A.D., when the Roman emperor Septimius Severus ordered its construction. Today it is a square with a few fragments of the original structure surviving.

Following our itinerary we will also visit one of the world’s oldest, most spectacular Christian churches, the Hagia Sophia (optional inside visit) which served as an Orthodox Christian church then it was adapted to be a Catholic cathedral by the Crusaders and in 1453 was converted into a mosque. Our last stop will be at Theodosius Cistern (recommended inside visit). Built during the Byzantine era, to have water reserves in case the city was attacked. It is one of the fundamental jewels that you must see in Istanbul: the dim light, the columns and the mystery that surrounds the cistern will transport you to another world.

If you want to extend the tour we will take you to Grand Bazaar. You can access it trough 22 different doors. It is located in the area of Sultanahmet, near the neighborhoods of Çemberlitas and Beyazit, a short distance from the historic center of the city and its most emblematic monuments.

Discover the byzantine majesty of the capital of Turkey with us!