OTTOMAN - BYZANTINE RELICS TOUR

We start our tour at 09:00AM. I will take you to Hagia Sophia built by the Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century AD, desgined by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodore of Miletus. The church is one of the marvles of world architecture. Converted into mosque in 1453 then to museum in 1934 and to mosque again in 2021. Its massive dome still dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is also famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses and a poignant Virgin and Child. Next we visit the Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Built by Sultan Ahmed in the early 17th century and designed by pupil of Sinan, the greates of Ottoman architects, it is the only imperial mosque with six minerats. Its courtyard is especially grand. The Hippodrome the stadium of anceitn Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Among theses, Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive. Topkapi Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’S Diamons, the 3rd largest in the world. It also posseses numerous Ottoman court customes and ceramics, notably including one of the world’S finest collections of Chinese celadon ceramics, many gifts from other rulers. Our tour will finish at the entrance gate of Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the Old City and its 4,000 shops are ful lor treasure including carpets, kilims, silks, ceramics, icons and leather goods.