THE SILHOUETTE of Golden Horn

THE SILHOUETTE OF

GOLDEN HORN

Highlights

• Pier Loti Hill
• Eyup and Around
• Chora Church
• City Walls of COnstantinople
• Walk at Fener and Balat
• Ecumenical Patriarchate of Greek Orthodox World
• Suleymaniye Mosque
• Spice Market

Please bear in mind; we can always redesign this tour according to your interest and time.

We suggest you to start at 09:30 am but we can rearrange this time depending on your schedule. Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel or the harbor if you are coming Istanbul by cruise ship.

Eyup, an Ottoman Necropolis (the city of the dead)

Your guide will meet you at your hotel, at the time we decided.

Eyup & Pier Loti Hill

You will first head to Eyup; this hilly suburb was named after the Prophet Mohammed’s best friend Eyub (Ayub), buried here. Due to an age-old tradition, everyone wanted to be near him to await judgment day since the 15th century. Because of this, this place became a necropolis (the city of the dead) full of beautifully designed tombs and epitaphs. We will walk through these tombs before taking a cable car to Pierre Loti Hill, which has a breathtaking view of Golden Horn. And this hill was home to the eccentric French ‘Orientalist’ Pierre Loti.

 

Chora Mosque

After having a Turkish Coffee here, we will head to Chora Church which has the best surviving examples of late Byzantine frescoes and mosaics from the 14thcentury. The purpose of these mosaics and frescoes is to tell the Old and New Testament stories and what lies beyond the earthly existence from your guide. 

Fener and Balat Walk

After having lunch here, you will continue to the Golden Horn by walking through the walls of Constantinople and two old districts of Istanbul, Fener, and Balat, and then you will reach the Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church. The Patriarch is the head of the Eastern Orthodox Churches and is followed by more than 300 Million Orthodox Christians. 

 

 Suleymaniye Mosque & Spice Market

From here, you will head to Suleymaniye Mosque. This monumental mosque is built by Architect Sinan in the 16th century to honor Suleyman the Magnificent. With its poetic view and ingenious architecture, it is just like a jewel in the crown of the Golden Horn. Then we will walk to the Golden Horn through alleyways and the Egyptian or Spice Bazaar. From here your private van will drive you back to the hotel.

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“In the Spice Market, a mystical journey with scent is waiting for you.”

Included

• All the entrance fees to the sites
• Assistance of a local guides
• Transport (private A/C van)
• Lunch

Not Included

• Gratuities to guide and driver
• Any items not specifically mentioned as included