Witness facets from the cistern which have been highlighted in common Bond videos and find out the Weeping Column of Medusa which proceeds to weep.
The church originally stands on The situation of a pre-Christian temple, and it is among the initially churches being built in Constantinople. Over the 4th century, Roman Emperor Constantine the Great commissioned the initial Hagia Irene church for being designed, which burned down in 532.
The GuruWalk Local community is fashioned by "gurus" (area guides) who are open, attentive, exciting those with terrific knowledge of the city and who will be your mates anywhere you vacation.
The church was converted into a mosque the working day Constantinople fell. For more than five hundred decades, the mosque was The most crucial in Istanbul. Significantly of That which you see currently dates again to when Hagia Sophia in the beginning served as a mosque. The majority of the decorations that decorated the church are absent.
The tour pricing is transparent and incorporates entrance service fees for well-liked points of interest, with selections for personalisation and flexibility via private tours.
Marvel on the spectacular Byzantine architecture in the Basilica Cistern, a sixth-century subterranean marvel with 336 check here massive columns.
Admire the interior of your mosque with carved tiles and painted glass Home windows. Other decorative things incorporate geometric bands and organic medallions.
This not only supports the community overall economy but will also presents reliable, insider Views on Istanbul's prosperous tapestry.
One of the most prized assortment is always that on the Islamic relics which involve Prophet Mohamed’s (PBUH) sword together with the swords of his closest companions, the cloak of his daughter Fatima and other holy relics.
At GuruWalk, we call them "guruwalks" so our walkers don’t get perplexed Using the thought. Our intention is for them to grasp the idea superior after which give a good remuneration to their Expert, in order that we can easily all preserve enjoying this sort of tour all across the world.
I’m thinking about the history of Constantine and his mom Helena, and in Justinian and especially Theodora. NOT serious about observing blue mosque or Hagia Sophia. can we do a fifty percent-working day tour with that target in mind?
The mosque is intended in this type of way the congregation can hear the imam even when it is most crowded. Using this type of acoustic aspect, it differs from quite a few mosques while in the city.
An interesting Component of the Hagia Sophia may be the 'wishing column' situated in the northwest area, considered to grant wishes or therapeutic to people who follow a particular ritual involving their thumb and wrist. It's explained that even Justinian found reduction from a headache here.
I don't think We're going to ever get substantial group tours once more, immediately after experiencing these customized 'tours by locals.'