Istanbul Trip Overview
If you are fan of Byzantine Art and civilization and want to know more about Byzantium Empire this tour is for you. Istanbul is the capital of the Byzantium Empire that rocked the world from 4th to 15th centuries. In this fabulous tour we take you in the trail of Byzantine Monasteries in Istanbul. This special walk covers most of the historical monasteries of Byzantine Constantinople. We see ruins of Byzantine churches, Byzantine stone houses, cisterns, dungeons, columns, palaces and lots of other things. The highlight of the day is definitely the church of St. Saviour of Chora. You will be amazed with the mosaics and frescos.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 hours
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Istanbul Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey
If you are fan of Byzantine Art and civilization and want to know more about Byzantium Empire this tour is for you. Istanbul is the capital of the Byzantium Empire that rocked the world from 4th to 15th centuries. In this fabulous tour we take you in the trail of Byzantine Monasteries in Istanbul. This special walk covers most of the historical monasteries of Byzantine Constantinople. We see ruins of Byzantine churches, Byzantine stone houses, cisterns, dungeons, columns, palaces and lots of other things. The highlight of the day is definitely the church of St. Saviour of Chora. You will be amazed with the mosaics and frescos.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Chora Museum, Kariye Mahallesi, Kariye Camii Sokak, No: 18 EdirnekapI Fatih, Istanbul 34087 Turkey
Our first stop will be Greek orthodox church, originally built in the early 4th century as part of a monastery complex outside the city walls of Constantinople (Visit from outside). Our guide will share interesting and historical facts about this landmark.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Tekfur Sarayi, Hocacakir Caddesi, Istanbul Turkey
Our second stop is Tekfur Place. 13th-century Byzantine palace in the north-western part of the old city of Constantinople (Visit from outside) We’ll listen its history and how it built by our guide.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Vlaherna Meryem Ana Church, Ayvansaray, Kuytu Sk., Istanbul 34087 Turkey
After we’ll visit Meryem Ana Church also known as Saint Mary of Blachernae Turkish name: Meryem Ana Kilisesi) is an Eastern Orthodox church in Istanbul. The little edifice, built in 1867, got the same dedication as the shrine erected in this place in the fifth century which, until its destruction in 1434, was one of the most important sanctuaries of Greek Orthodoxy.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Church of St. Mary of the Mongols, Tevkii Cafer Mektebi Sk. No:1 Balat Mahallesi, Istanbul 34087 Turkey
The only remaining Byzantine church of Constantinople that has never been converted to a mosque, always remained open to the Greek Orthodox Church
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Special Fener Greek High School, Balat, Sancaktar Ykş. No:36, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Our next stop the oldest surviving and most prestigious Greek Orthodox school in Istanbul; Phanar Greek Orthodox College. With its amazing architecture and history, you’ll be amazed when visiting this historical landmark.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Fethiye Muzesi (Pammakaristos Church), Fethiye Kapisi Sokak, Istanbul 34087 Turkey
Our next stop Fethiye Muzesi also known as Pammakaristos Church. Our guide will share how it was given the title Mosque of Conquest following the capture of Georgia and Azerbaijan by the Ottomans to commemorate their victory and It served as the seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch (now located in neighboring Fener) between 1456 and 1587.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Walls of Constantinople (Istanbul City Walls), Istanbul Turkey
Later on our way to next stop we’ll see the walls and gates of ancient Constantinople and listenj its stories by our guide.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Zeyrek Mosque, Zeyrek Mah. Ibadethane Sk. Fatih, Istanbul 34083 Turkey
Later we’ll visit Zeyrek Mosque. During our visit we’ll learn how after it was built, the Pantokrator Monastery functioned as the imperial cemetery of the Byzantine Empire. For instance, we know from the primary sources that Emperor John II, Empress Eirene, Empress Bertha Sulzbach, and Emperor John V Palaiologos were buried in Pantokrator Monastery. Also the monastic complex consisted of a katholikon (main church of a monastic complex), a hospital, and a library. It was one of the most important and largest hospitals in the Middle Ages; and, according to a legend the first eye surgery took place in the hospital of Pantokrator Monastery.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Fener Rum Patrikhanesi, Dr. SadIk Ahmet Cd. No:44 Yavuz Sultan Selim Mahallesi, Istanbul 34083 Turkey
Later we’ll visit Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is one of the fourteen to sixteen autocephalous churches that together compose the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is headed by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, currently Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Church of St Polyeuktos, Istanbul Turkey
Our last stop will be Ancient Byzantine church in Constantinople, built by the noblewoman Anicia Juliana and dedicated to Saint Polyeuctus. Lastly we’ll drive you back to your hotels.
Duration: 30 minutes