Istanbul Byzantian Relics Tours
(Half Day Morning)
ST. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great, in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architechtural marvels of all time.
SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 17th century by the architect Mehmet, this is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
HIPPODROME The scene of ancient chariot races, the ancient Hippodrome, with its four monuments; the GERMAN FOUNTAIN OF WILHELM II, the OBELISK OF THEODOSIUS, the bronze SERPENTINE COOLUMN and the COLUMN OF CONSTANTINE.
GRAND BAZAAR (COVERED MARKET) In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4,000 shops with aech trade having its own area; the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onnyxware and meerschaum pipers.
CLOSED
St. Sophia on Monday / Replaced with Underground Cistern
Grand Covered Bazaar on Sunday
