Istanbul Tour

Istanbul

ITINERARY;

Starts at : 09.30 – Ends at :17.00

SAINT-SOPHIA CHURCH (CHURCH OF THE HOLY WISDOM)

Built in 537 by Byzantine Emperor Justinianus, HAGIA SOPHIA has been the largest cathedral in the World for nearly a thousand years; it is considered the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture; after having been the Patriarchal basilica of Constantinople, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II. The Conqueror and into a museum by Atatürk in 1935.

MOSQUE OF SULTANAHMET (BLUE MOSQUE )

Built in 1609 , it is-with its 6 minarets facing Ayasofya- the last dreat imperial mosque of the classcal period; its name comes from the 20.000 marvellous bue-toned Iznik tiles decorating the interior walls.

HIPPODROME

It was a horse- racing track an also the sporting and social center of the Byzantine Empire; the German Fountain, the Obelisk of Empero Theodosius and the bronze Serpentine Column are the monuments embellishing the Hippodrome.

TURKISH & ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM

Originally built in 1524 as the palace of Ibrahim Pasha – Grand Vizier and brother-in-law of Sultan Soliman the Magnificient, it is now a museum presenting notable examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, rugs as well as ethnographic displays of various cultures in Turkey, particularly nomad groups.

TOPKAPI PALACE

This extraordinary and secret palace was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the center of Ottoman might for nearly 400 years. The buildings are a ypical example of Ottoman architecture and the rooms exhibit rich collections of porcelains, robe, weapons, shields, armors, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphicmanuscripts as well as Ottoman treasures an jewellery.

GRAND BAZAAR

The largest covered market in the World with more than 60 streets and 4,000 shops, were you may find in an authentic oriental atmosphere all kind o gifts, leather clothing, rugs and kilims, antiques, jewellery, hand-woven fabrics etc…