Traces of Christianity

DAY 1 Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey. Arrival into Istanbul. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Tonight you will enjoy a welcome dinner where you will be introduced to Turkish cuisine and enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night. Overnight in Istanbul. (Welcome dinner included)

DAY 2 – Istanbul City Tour

Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel and we depart at 09:00 for the Istanbul City Tour. We will begin with ancient

- Hippodrome,
It was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Square, with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. It is sometimes also called Horse Square which was the scene of chariot races, Its known with the three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.

- Then continue with Hagia Sophia (St.Sophia),

İts a masterpiece of the Byzantine architecture and considered as the 8th. wonder of the world by most art historians. Hagia Sophia, ftom the 6th century, is the one and only construction that still stands in an excellent state of preservation and well worth an extended visit For many centuries it was the largest church of Christendom, dedicated to Divine Wisdom, an
attribute of Christ.

- After we will walk to Hagia Eirene,

It is a former Eastern Orthodox church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace; Other than Hagia Sofia, St.Irene is the largest and oldest church from the Byzantine era still standing in İstanbul. It is open as a museum every day except Monday but requires special permission for admission.stand.(from outside)

- We will continue to the Basilica Cistern

The great Byzantine cistern, located across from Hagia Sophia was used to supply the necessary water to the city during the barbarian attacks and when the city was under siege.336 colums wit Doric and Corinthian capitals, were bought from various locations in Asia minor for the construction of the cistern.This cistern is an underground chamber of 138 x 64.6 metres.

- After lunch break our next stop is St.Sergius & Bacchus,

A landmark in Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. Today it is known as the “Little Hagia Sophia” The church was converted into a mosque in the
16th century under Sultan Beyazit II and remains an active mosque today. (from outside)

- Drive to Zoodochos Pege at Baloukli,

One of the most famous shrines of Constantinople, the Zoodochos Pege, is located outside the land walls to the west of the city, at the site now known as Balikli. Two versions of a very old tradition provide information on the origins of this ancient shrine, dedicated to the Mother of God at Pege.

After the tour drive back to hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy Istanbul.
Overnight in Istanbul.
We also recommend a Turkish Night Show with this tour.

DAY 3 – Istanbul City Tour
- Today our first stop is Pammakaristos Church

Built in 1292, the Church of Theotokos Pammakaristos in Istanbul is a fine example of late Byzantine architecture and art. It has been a mosque since 1591, but still contains some well-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate used this church as its headquarters from 1456 to 1586.

- We will continue to St.Theodosia Church

Nothing is known of the early history of this church, it is a former Eastern Orthodox church converted into a mosque by the Ottomans in Istanbul. The church was possibly dedicated to Hagios Theodoros, but this dedication is far from certain. The complex represents one of the most important examples of Comnenian and Palaiologan architecture of Constantinople.

- Today our last visit is the Chora Museum.



All tours have been posted by TURSAB(Turkish Society of Travel Agencies) licensed travel agencies and tour operators who have replied to the formal TURSAB call of 08.07.2013 for publishing their tours on this website.

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