On this tour of the mosques and palaces of Istanbul, we'll discover the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture and see emblematic buildings such as the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace!
Description
At the indicated time, we'll kick off our tour of the mosques and palaces of Istanbul. We'll discover all the secrets of Ottoman architecture and the city's most representative buildings!
The first stop of the tour will be the Sultan Ahmed Mosque more commonly known as the Blue Mosque. Did you know its name is due to the beautiful mosaics of this color that decorate its structure?
Then, we'll stroll around the Sultanahmet District to learn about its history. As we stroll through the neighborhood, we'll come to see the iconic Hagia Sophia. Since its construction in the 6th century, this temple has passed through both Christian and Muslim hands, being used as a basilica, Orthodox church, and mosque.
Today, Hagia Sophia is a veritable museum of the confluence of religions that have coexisted for centuries in Turkey and whose beauty amazes any visitor. With the help of the audio guide, you'll admire the amazing interior architecture of the basilica, with its imposing central dome. From the exterior, you'll also see the semi-domes and impressive minarets.
Leaving this sacred icon behind, you'll enjoy 30 minutes of free time to enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Next, we'll enter the Cistern Basilica. Fun fact: it's affectionately known as the Submerged Palace. We'll explain why as we tour this subway haven. From here, we'll head to Topkapi Palace, a luxurious building used by the Ottoman sultans to centralize administrative power between the 15th and 16th centuries.
Finally, after a total of 5 hours, the tour of Istanbul's mosques and palaces will end at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world. Here, you can continue to learn about Turkish culture and do some shopping.
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