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Half Day Istanbul City Tour (Ottoman Relics)

Half Day Istanbul City Tour (Ottoman Relics)

Istanbul
Istanbul

Key Highlights

Days:   Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
Food:  No
Guide:  EN
Hotel Transfer:  Yes
Start Time:  13:00
Tour Duration:  4 Hours

Experienced Tours For You

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About This Experience

Let’s Start the Tour
Istanbul City Tour Ottoman Relics begins when you are picked up from your hotel by a comfy car. You will be taken to a popular place to meet with a certified tour guide. They will accompany you all the time. Also, you’ll get crucial information about these landmarks thanks to them.

Topkapi Palace
Then you’ll go to Topkapi Palace, one of Turkey’s most well-known and loved landmarks.

During the Ottoman Empire, this beautiful and imposing structure served as the home of the Ottoman Sultans. The Palace tells the tale of the Ottoman era through different chambers and constructions.

The monument, which is now a museum, is open to the public for tours. The Sultans’ clothes, jewelry, and an unique variety of gemstones are among the most remarkable and essential items.

It holds a wealthy history, too: Beginning with Mehmed II, over 30 sultans reigned from the Topkapi Palace for approximately four century throughout the Ottoman Empire’s 600-year history. He directed the palace’s building in the late 1450s, after capturing Constantinople (Istanbul).

Then, other sultans keep using the palace as the ruling and relaxing center. It established as a museum in 1924, a year after the Republic of Turkey was established.

You’ll learn more while walking there with your professional guides!

Church of St. Irene – Hagia Irene
Church of St. Irene – one of the earliest surviving churches in Constantinople, dedicated to the “Holy World” (and not St. Irene). The church is located in the historical center of Istanbul in the Sultanahmet district in the first courtyard of the Topkapi Palace.

Hagia Irena represents a type of basilica, new for the 6th century, in the form of a cross. The vestibule of the church is lined with mosaics from the time of Justinian. Inside there is a sarcophagus, in which, according to legend, the remains of Constantine are buried.

After the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the church was not converted into a mosque and there were no significant changes in its appearance. Thanks to this, to this day, the Church of St. Irene is the only church in the city that has retained its original atrium (a spacious high room at the entrance to the church).

During the XV-XVIII centuries, the church was used by the Ottomans as an armory, and starting from 1846, the temple was turned into an Archaeological Museum. In 1869, the Church of St. Irene was transformed into the Imperial Museum.

A few years later, in 1875, due to insufficient space, its exhibits were moved to the Tiled Pavilion. Finally, in 1908, the Military Museum was opened in the church. Today, the Church of St. Irene serves as a concert hall. Since 1980 – the main venue for the (annual) international music festival

End of the Half Day Istanbul City Tour
This half-day afternoon excursion, Istanbul City Tour Ottoman Relics, will last around 4 hours. As a result, after your final visit is over, a comfy and stylish bus will transport you back to your hotel. This fantastic guided tour will provide you with a unique and fascinating way to explore the landmarks.

Reservation options

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Included in your experience

Free Hotel Transfer
Guided Tour
Entrance Fees

Excluded services

Any personal expenses
Drinks
Photo and Video
Entrance Fees
Dinner

What to bring?

Any personal expenses
Comfortable shoes

Tour Start Location

Binbirdirek, Klodfarer Cd. No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye Show on the map
Price from 100€

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Topkapi Palace in Ottoman history?

Topkapi Palace was the home of the Ottoman Sultans and served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years. It was built by Mehmed II in the late 1450s after capturing Constantinople. Over 30 sultans ruled from this palace, and it now operates as a museum showcasing the sultans' belongings, such as clothing, jewelry, and unique gemstones.

Why is the Church of St. Irene unique compared to other churches in Istanbul?

The Church of St. Irene is unique because it is the only church in Istanbul that has retained its original atrium. Unlike other churches, it was not converted into a mosque after the conquest of Constantinople. It has served various roles over the centuries, including as an armory, an archaeological museum, and now as a concert hall.

What can visitors expect during the Half Day Istanbul City Tour (Ottoman Relics)?

Visitors will be picked up from their hotels and guided by a professional tour guide to explore historic landmarks. The tour includes visits to the Topkapi Palace and the Church of St. Irene, where they will learn about Ottoman history and Byzantine architecture. After approximately 4 hours, guests are transported back to their hotels in a comfortable vehicle.
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