IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE SULTAN

08:30-15:00 DAILY (except Tuesday)

TOKKAPI PALACE, SAINT IRENE CHURCH, BLUE MOSQUE,

HAGIA SOPHIA CATHEDRAL (OUTSIDE), Hippodrome SQUARE, IBRAHIM PASHA PALACE (OUTSIDE), HAMAM HURREM, SULTAN (OUTSIDE), TRANSFER, PROFESSIONAL GUIDE SERVICES

Topkapi Palace is a majestic testimony to the history of the Ottoman Empire. Built by order of Sultan Mehmed II in 1478, it was the residence of 25 sultans over a period of 400 years. Among its two main parts, "6erun" and "enderun", one can find pavilions, a harem, a library, an armory and treasury, as well as a rich collection of relics, making it one of the greatest museums in the world. At least 2 million people visit the Topkapi Museum every year.

Located in the historical center of Istanbul, in the first courtyard of the Topkapi Palace, the Church of Hagia Irene is one of the earliest surviving churches of Constantinople. The structure, created in the shape of a cross, is decorated with mosaics from the time of Justinian, and inside is a sarcophagus in which, according to legend, the remains of Constantine the Great rest.

Hagia Sophia, originally built in the 4th century on the site of an ancient acropolis, is the greatest example of Byzantine culture. Today it is an active mosque that attracts approximately 9 million visitors annually. Inside the cathedral you can see the baptismal font, ancient mosaics and the sacred column. Although Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935, today it is a working mosque that continues to attract people from all over the world.

The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sinan Agha Mosque, is a unique example of architecture, striking in its grandeur and sophistication. Built by order of Sultan Ahmed I at the beginning of the 17th century, its construction took 7 years. The Blue Mosque combines the best elements of Byzantine and Ottoman styles, and its decoration includes exquisite examples of Iznik ceramics, painted in blue and green colors. Today it is one of the most majestic and beautifully decorated mosques in the world, attracting more than 5 million visitors annually.

Hippodrome Square is a unique monument of the Byzantine period, erected in 203. In the past, horse racing was held in this square. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was gradually expanded to accommodate the construction of the Topkapi and Ibrahim Pasha palaces, as well as the foundation of the Sultanahmet Mosque. Today it is a square where columns, obelisks and the German Fountain, donated to the city by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, have been preserved.

Ibrahim Pasha Palace, built in honor of the Ottoman Grand Vizier Pargala Ibrahim Pasha, is home to the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art. Opened in 1938, the museum presents the richness of Eastern culture through jewelry, weapons, household items, ceramic jewelry, ancient manuscripts and books. The museum was awarded the Council of Europe Prize in 1984 and the UNESCO Prize in 1985.

Hurrem Sultan Hammam is a historical baths towering in the heart of Istanbul. Built in the 16th century by order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, these baths are not only an architectural monument, but also part of the legendary Sultanahmet Square.

The price of the excursion includes: 6 entrance tickets, transfer and services of a licensed English-speaking guide.