St.Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by the Byzantian Emperor Justinianus.
Blue Mosque, facing St. Sophia, famous for its blue İznik tiles and unique with its six minarets, was built for the Sultan Ahmet.
Hippodrome, was the center of sporting (Chariot races, athletics) events and political activities in the old Byzantine city.
Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column and German Fountain of Wilhelm II adorn the Hippodrome.
Lunch Break
Shopping (Grand Bazaar)
Topkapı Palace is the ex-imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Here on display is the Imperial Treasury, Chinese Porcelain Collection, which is the largest in the world, weapons, silk clothes of the Imperial Dynasty, objects of art and pavilions overlooking the whole city from a unique perspective.
Optional sights: Yerebatan Cistern, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Süleymaniye Mosque, St. Saviour in Chora Monastery, City Walls, Spice Bazaar.
Travellers sometimes describe Turkey as a “symphony of sounds, smells and people in the most unlikely combinations of appearance and action”. In Turkey you will experience an incredible diversity in nature, culture, history, beliefs and ideas. As well as being the capital of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and the largest city of Turkey, it is the only city in the world, which embraces two continents – Europe and Asia.
The museums, churches, palaces, mosques and bazaars and the sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. Istanbul is truly one of the most glorious cities in the world.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more widely known as the Blue Mosque, is one of the most prominent landmarks in Istanbul. It is thought by many to have the most splendid exterior of the imperial mosques in the city with unique six minarets. It is renowned for its magnificent blue tiles.
The ancient Hippodrome, onetime scene of chariot racing and the center of Byzantine civic life, is nowadays called Sultan Ahmet. Three remains are in the spina: The Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Today the square forms the center of Istanbul’s historical, cultural and touristic activities.
