IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE SULTAN

About this tour

Topkapi Palace – was built in 1478 by order of the Sultan
Mehmed II. The palace remained the main palace of the Ottoman Empire –
25 sultans lived and ruled in it for 400 years.
In the middle of the 19th century, the Sultan’s family moved to a new
Europeanized residence – Dolmabahce Palace.
The Topkapi Palace complex was divided into two parts: the “berun” welcoming part,
and the “enderun” private apartments (selamlik and harem). Topkapi Palace
includes many pavilions, a harem, a library,
an armory and a treasury, and more than 65,000 are on display
The relics make it one of the greatest museums in the world.
At least 2 million people visit the Topkapi Museum every year.
The Church of St. Irene is one of the earliest surviving
churches in Constantinople, dedicated to the “Holy World”.
The church is located in the historical center of Istanbul in the district
Sultanahmet in the first courtyard of the Topkapi Palace.
The building is a new type of basilica in the shape
of a cross for the VI century. The porch of the church was lined with mosaics from the time of Justinian.
Inside there is a sarcophagus, in which, according to legend, the remains rest
Constantine the Great. Ayia Irina was the main temple of the city
before the construction of St. Sophia, it now serves as a concert hall.
Hagia Sophia Cathedral (or Hagia Sophia Mosque)  – it is one of
the greatest examples of Byzantine culture. The Orthodox church
was built in the IV century on the site of the ancient acropolis, during the reign of
Justinian. In 1453, after the arrival of the Ottoman Empire, by order of
Mehmed Fatiha Sultan minarets were added to the temple and
it was decided to rename it the Hagia Sophia Mosque. In the Temple you will see
a baptismal font, ancient mosaics and a sacred column. In 1935
Hagia Sophia has been transformed into a museum, which is one of the most
the most visited museums in the world. Nowadays it is a functioning mosque
Hagia Sophia. About
9 million people visit St. Sophia Cathedral every year.

The Blue Mosque is a truly unique building with 6 minarets,
captivating with its grandeur and elegance. It was built by order
of the Turkish Sultan Ahmed I., construction began in 1609,
and was completed only 7 years later.
The
best techniques of the Byzantine and classical Ottoman architectural styles were used in the construction of the Blue Mosque
.
Iznik ceramic tiles painted in blue and white were used in the decorations of the mosque
with paints. There is no more magnificent and magnificently decorated mosque
anywhere else in the world! About 5 million people visit the Blue Mosque every year.
Hippodrome Square is a uniquely preserved monument of the period
Byzantium. The racetrack was built in 203, horse
racing was held here. In the XV-XVI centuries, the structure was gradually dismantled for
the construction of the Topkapi and Ibrahim Pasha palaces, as well as the foundation
of the Sultanahmet mosque. Nowadays, the Hippodrome is a
square, in the center of the square there are columns, obelisks,
and a German fountain, donated to the city and Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
Ibrahim Pasha’s Palace was built in honor of the Grand Vizier
The Ottoman Empire of Pargal Ibrahim Pasha , who was the husband of
Hatice, sisters of Sultan Suleiman. At the moment, the palace
houses the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, opened in
1938. There you will see expositions demonstrating the richness
of Oriental culture – jewelry, weapons, household items,
ceramic jewelry, ancient manuscripts and books. The exhibits are
of such great value that the museum was awarded an award
The Council of Europe in 1984, as well as UNESCO awards in 1985.
The Hurrem Sultan Hammam is a historical bathhouse located in the
heart of Istanbul, decorating the legendary Sultanahmet Square.
The building is the same age as Suleiman the Magnificent and was actually
built by his order in the XVI century.