ISTANBUL HISTORICAL PENINSULA TOUR
Istanbul, Turkey's most curious and visited city by domestic and foreign tourists, has been in an important position since the beginning of humanity. Especially with its Bosphorus, which connects Asia and Europe and fascinates everyone with its natural appearance, Istanbul has managed to become one of the most popular centers in the world. In addition to its natural appearance and geographical location, Istanbul also bears the traces of different cultures with its historical artifacts and stories that have reached today. Istanbul, which has been the capital of the Latin, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, continues to attract the attention of the whole world with the works left by all the communities that lived on it. Both the Anatolian and European sides of Istanbul have different beauties. It is known that the first settlements in Istanbul as a city were Kalkedon on the Anatolian side and Byzantion on the European side. However, the Historical Peninsula, which has a very important position in Istanbul, which has been known as the capital of different cultures for years, is seen as the region that the societies that have lived until today have emphasized the most. The Historic Peninsula Tour includes different activities equipped with museums, mosques and churches. With a daily historical peninsula tour, you will visit the most important places from the Ottoman and Byzantine eras and spend a dreamy day in the traces of the cultures that lived on them.
The main places to visit with the Historical Peninsula Tour are;
Hagia Sophia
Sultan Ahmet Mosque and Square
Topkapi Palace
Obelisk
Basilica Cistern
A Fairytale Journey Between Byzantine and Ottoman Artifacts Istanbul is also a magical journey. Being a city that is indispensable for the most important communities that have established dominance in the world, where some pay a great price to defend and others to own, Istanbul has also enabled the creation of the most valuable works of humanity besides all this struggle for life. Examining the artifacts that have survived from the times of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, touching them and re-experiencing the past experiences have always added brand new riches to people. With the Historical Peninsula Tour, you will embark on an epic journey between Byzantine and Ottoman Artifacts, experience the experiences of history in one day, and experience unforgettable times in the splendor of Istanbul's silhouette. You will spend the whole day examining the historical artifacts from civilizations that lived on ancient lands, and you will share their experiences in the living spaces where the emperors set foot. We have listed the places to visit in the Byzantine and Ottoman Artifacts Historical Peninsula Tour;
Hagia Sophia was built in the old city center in the historical peninsula of Istanbul in 532 and 537 years. Hagia Sophia, which has an important place in the history of architecture with its dome transitions and special systems, contains the meanings of "sacred wisdom or divine wisdom" and is referred to as one of the three attributes of God in the Orthodox sect. In 1453, the Hagia Sophia church was converted into a mosque, then became a museum, and today it has returned to the status of a mosque. The largest dome of Hagia Sophia collapsed many times due to earthquakes, it was finally restored by Mimar Sinan and never collapsed again. Hagia Sophia, which is very meaningful and symbolic by Muslims and Christians today, is a frequent destination for local and foreign tourists with different beliefs, and continues to attract everyone's attention visually and spiritually without losing its value. In addition, the Istanbul Archeology Museum, located around it, is among the must-see places with its engravings and mosaics emphasizing history down to the smallest detail.
- Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Sultan Ahmet Mosque was built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I in 1609 and 1617. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, built by Sedefkar Mehmed Ağa, one of the valuable architects of the time, is known as the "Blue Mosque" because it is decorated with white and blue colored Iznik tiles and the inside of its domes are decorated with blue colors. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which has approximately 20 thousand Iznik tiles, is accepted as one of the largest and most important works in Istanbul, together with its social complex. Islamic architecture predominates in the Blue Mosque, which carries traces inspired by Hagia Sophia, right across it. Architect Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa realized the creation with the idea of "reflection of grandeur, majesty and splendor in size" while constructing the Blue Mosque. While wandering around the interior and surroundings of the Blue Mosque, you can see that it carries a spiritual integrity, and you can deeply feel that as a harmonious duo with Hagia Sophia, they create a different richness for the historical peninsula. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque Complex, which is the first stop of those who visit Istanbul today, continues to be remembered as one of the works that best reflects its magnificence and the cultural harmony of the past.
Located on the south side of Sultan Ahmet Square, the Obelisk can be seen right next to the historical Serpent Column. M.S. In 390, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I brought the Obelisk from Egypt and put it in its present location. The biggest factor that makes the Obelisk valuable and important is that it is one of the Ancient Egyptian obelisks. B.C. 15th century Egyptian pharaoh III. The Obelisk, built by Thutmose, was taken from the south of the Karnak temple and erected in its present location. The Obelisk, made of Aswan granite, is 30 meters high and weighs 200 tons. However, since its lower part was destroyed over time, it can be seen as 18.45 meters today. Greek and Latin inscriptions can still be read on the Obelisk, which has a different inscription on each side, and can reflect the spirit of its time to its visitors.
Topkapi Palace, which was brought back from the Ottoman period and is the most valuable reflection of the silhouette of the historical peninsula of Istanbul, was put into operation in 1478 and continued to maintain its historical importance as the treasure of the region. Shining like a jewel between the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, Topkapi Palace, which can be viewed even from the farthest points, is known as the most precious jewel of the Istanbul Historical Peninsula. There are different courtyards in Topkapi Palace, which was home to many Ottoman sultans and surrounded by gardens, flowers and squares. These courtyards are also named as Alay Square, Divan Square, Enderun Courtyard, and the places worth seeing are;
Hagia Irene Church
Divan-i Humayun (Kubbealtı)
The justice tower
Harem
Zülüflü Baltacılar Ward
Has Stables
Palace School
Mansions and Hanging Gardens
Baghdad and Revan Mansions
Iftar Arcade
Mecidiye Mansion
Clothes Room
The Basilica Cistern is one of the most impressive structures on the European side of Istanbul. The cistern, which was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in the 500s, is known as the largest closed cistern in the city. The Basilica Cistern, whose ceiling is covered with bricks, reminds a forest surrounded by columns. Once inside, it welcomes its visitors with a mysterious and mystical atmosphere. Marble columns extending from the water to the ceiling have caused this place to be called the Basilica Palace among the people. There is an inverted pedestal with the head of Medusa inside the Basilica Cistern. The issue of why this rule is reversed still remains unknown. The Basilica Cistern, where concerts and conferences are held today, has a historical and natural richness that can be understood once you enter it.
Note
- Since the daily program flow may change according to some dynamics, there are events and brief information to be seen and experienced throughout the day in details.
