NIGHT 11.59 DEPARTURE FROM SAFRANBOLU / 00.30 KARABUK TERMINAL DEPARTURE
09.00 MEETING AT THE MEETING POINT OR WE PICK YOU UP FROM YOUR HOTEL
9.00 / 11. 00 EYUP / PIERRE LOTI, CULUS ROAD TOUR
12.00 / 13.00 BALAT / FENER GREEK PATRIARCHATE (RED SCHOOL) / COLORFUL HOUSES
13.00 / 14.30 LUNCH
15.00 17.00 BALAT / SULEYMANIYE / SPICE BAZAAR
TRANSFER TO HOTEL AND FREE TIME
Right in front of the Sultanahmet Mosque, one of the most important symbols of Istanbul today, the Hippodrome was located in the Atmeydanı during the Eastern Roman period. The Hippodrome and the horse-drawn chariot races and other hippodrome races and entertainments were an important social life entertainment area for Roman society. Teams from different classes with different colors competed fiercely with each other. The imperial family watched these races in a special lodge, or kathisma. The nobility and the public could follow the races in their own section. There were 3 separate columns known as the Obelisk (Steel Column), the Burmalı Column (Serpent Column) and the Knitted Column on the spina of the Hippodrome. You will listen to the history of these columns, Atmeydanı, Sutanahmet Mosque and the entire historical peninsula from your guide and reimagine this city.
Hagia Sophia, officially known today as the Great Mosque of Hagia Sophia, is an important historical structure in Istanbul that was converted from a church into a mosque. It was a basilica-planned patriarchal cathedral built by Byzantine Emperor Justinianus I between 532-537 in the old city center of Istanbul's historical peninsula. After the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih in 1453, it was converted into a mosque by Mehmed II. It was taken under renovation by a decree issued by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1934, and in 1935, with the decision of the Council of Ministers, it was converted into a museum, excavation and renovation work was started, and it served as a museum from 1935 to 2020. It was converted back into a mosque in 2020. In 2024, the upper floor of the mosque began to serve as a paid museum. Thus, today the lower floor of Hagia Sophia has become a mosque and the upper floor has become a museum. and local guests can visit it without paying a fee by entering from the congregation door.
Topkapı Palace is the residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the administrative and educational center of the state. The palace, which was built by Sultan Mehmed II between 1460-1478 and to which some additions were made over time, resided here until the 1850s. After Ottoman rule ended in 1922, Topkapı Palace was converted into a museum on April 3, 1924 by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. You will listen to the stories of this palace and its sections, as well as each section, including the official historical artifacts exhibited here, from your guide, and in order; We will have approximately 2 hours time here to see all the sections such as Alay Square, Hagia Irene, Bab-ü's Selam, Bab-ı Hümayun, Divan Square, Kubbealtı (Divan-ı Hümayun), Adalet Pavilion, Treasury, Zülüflü Baltacılar House, Main Room (Has Oda), Beşir Ağa Mosque and Bath, Palace Kitchens, Babüssaade, , Enderun Courtyard, Serve Room, III. Ahmed Library (Enderun Library), Fatih Pavilion (Enderun Treasury), Treasury Ward, Has Room and Department of Sacred Relics, Ağalar Mosque, Kilerli Ward, Aviary and Harem Gate
