From Constantinople to Istanbul: walking tour with museum visits
About this experience
Where does Istanbul begin? To answer this question, we will explore five landmarks of the historical center: the Byzantine Hippodrome square, the Blue Mosque, the monumental Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace of sultans, and the Church of St. Irene. With our help, you will find the key to understanding the city, its origins, and ancient culture here.
What to expect
From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire
After gathering the group, we will head to the historical district of Sultanahmet to study the symbols of the ancient city.
- Hippodrome Square - the center of public life built during the Byzantine Empire. You will learn about the purpose of this place, see the legendary Serpent Column, German Fountain, and ancient obelisks brought from Egypt.
- Blue Mosque will be our portal to the Ottoman era. We will help you uncover the secret of its name, understand if the student of the architect Mimar Sinan surpassed his teacher, and tell you where and how the Ottoman sultans and their subjects prayed.
- Hagia Sophia Mosque, which has held a special place in the culture of two empires, Byzantine and Ottoman. Get ready to admire the monumental cathedral from the outside and hear about the main milestones in the history of this great structure.
- Topkapi Palace, where 25 Ottoman sultans lived and ruled the Empire. Step by step, you will explore each hall and marvel at the treasures and trophies - including the staff of Moses, the keys to the Sacred Kaaba, and the world's largest diamond. Against the backdrop of magnificent interiors and in the garden, you will learn not only about the construction and architecture of Topkapi but also about the palace life.
- Church of St. Irene: you will trace its difficult fate from the Nika revolt to the Ottomans.
Weekdays of the ancient city
Istanbul's millennia-old history is filled with mysteries and paradoxes, some of which we will try to solve on the tour. You will learn about the nations that inhabited the ancient metropolis, how they coexisted, and what contribution they made to Istanbul's culture. Imagine the life of the townspeople during the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, their traditions, and customs.
Organizational details
- We will meet you at your hotel if you are staying in tourist areas (Sultanahmet, Laleli, Beyazit, Sirkeci, Eminönü, Taksim). Gathering guests takes about 30-40 minutes from the total tour time.
- We will explore all the attractions inside, except for Hagia Sophia.
- I will guide you on the tour, or another guide from our team.
