HISTORY OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Before you lies a city that was known for more than a thousand and a half years as Constantinople - the capital of Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire. Here, the fates of emperors and sultans were shaped, and the streets and squares witnessed great events. This tour will allow you to see how antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modernity intertwine in one amazing metropolis. Our route will take you through the brightest corners of Istanbul: ancient temples, medieval towers, picturesque neighborhoods, and modern streets that come alive day and night. First, we will visit the Hagia Sophia, constructed in 537 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinian. Its dome, marble, and mosaics made the temple a miracle of world architecture. It has survived fires and earthquakes, was converted into a mosque in 1453, and its mosaics were hidden under plaster and preserved to this day. In 1935, by order of Atatürk, it became a museum, and today it once again functions as a mosque and a symbol of Istanbul, where East meets West. Next, we will be greeted by the Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in 1348. It served as a defense mechanism, an observatory, and became the site of the legendary flight of Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi. After restorations, the tower transformed into a museum with a viewing platform and an elevator, offering panoramic views of the Golden Horn, the Bosporus, and the old city. We will then head to Balat - one of the most colorful neighborhoods of Istanbul. Its narrow streets, colorful houses, temples, and synagogues create the atmosphere of the “old city.” Balat is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and reflects the multinational culture of the metropolis. Pierre Loti Hill, named after the French writer, will provide you with a romantic mood. From the top, one of the best views of the city can be enjoyed, and at the “Pierre Loti” café, it's pleasant to sip tea while admiring the panorama. After that, we will visit the Eyüp district - a sacred place for Muslims. Here lies the mausoleum and mosque of Eyüp Sultan, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. Since the 16th century, this place has been a shrine of the Ottoman Empire, where sultan coronation ceremonies took place. In Taksim and Beyoğlu, another side of the city will unfold - modern and bustling. Taksim is the heart of cultural and nightlife, the start of İstiklal Avenue. Beyoğlu is home to theaters, galleries, restaurants, and the St. Anthony of Padua Church - a neo-Gothic temple with stained glass and statues. The culmination will be the Galata Bridge - a symbol of the city, connecting the shores of the Golden Horn. Its modern version was built in the 1990s: above, transportation and trams run, while below, fish restaurants are located. Over the centuries, the bridge has been rebuilt multiple times, and even designs were created by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. This route combines Istanbul's past and present: from Byzantine shrines and medieval towers to modern streets where life flourishes. An ideal excursion to see Istanbul in all its diversity.