ISTANBUL MOSQUES TOUR

Istanbul served as a capital city to the Ottoman Empire since the conquest in 1453 and it already had a glorious architectural heritage from the Byzantine Era. Ottomans adorned the city with new elements such as mosques, bridges, fountains, yalis and gard

Half Day Tour – Mosques built by 16th. Century

Your private tour guide will pick you up from your lodging in the morning with a luxury van.

The tour starts with Suleymaniye Mosque which is one of the masterpiece of Ottoman’s Chief Architecht Sinan in 16th century. The Mosque constructed by the order of Sultan Suleyman The Magnaficient above the Golden Horn hill. This is the imperial mosque of Ottoman Dynstay and the symbol of Empire power.

The tour will continue with another work of Archtitect Sinan, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque commisioned by the only daughter of the Magnificient Sultan Suleyman, Mihrimah Sultan. It was located at the peak of Istanbul’s sixth hill.

Next visit is to Fethiye Mosque (Church of Theotokos Pammakaristos) built around 11th century. It was converted to a mosque on 1591 and considered as one of the most famous Byzantine churches in Istanbul. The Mosque recently renovated and today serving partly as museum.

The final visit of the tour is to Arap Mosque, thought to be the first mosque of Istanbul. Although the structure was altered during the Ottoman period, it represents the most typical example of Gothic Architecture in Constantinople still extant. The foundations of the building dating to the 6th century with reconstructions through centuries.

You will be transferred back to your lodging at the end of the day with your private van again.

Your private tour guide will pick you up from your lodging in the morning with a luxury van

The first visit of the tour is to Pertevniyal Valide Sultan designed by Italian architect Montani for the wife of Sultan Mahmud II in 19th century. This is a unique structure as built with eclectic architecturak style and the marble work on the facade of the building is brilliant.

The next visit is to Bezm-i Alem Valide Mosque mostly known as Dolmabahce Mosque constructed by Armenian architect Garabet Balyan. The mosque is one of the best examples of Baroque style in Istanbul.

We drive for Yýldýz Mosque also called Hamidiye Mosque. It was commisioned by Sultan Abdulhamid Han in late 19th Century. The mosque has an architecture which is a combination of Neo-Gothic style and classical Ottoman motifs.

Afterwards, we drive over Bosphorus Bridge to Asian Side for the last visit on our tour. We visit Sakirin Mosque which is the best modern mosque of Turkey and completed in 2009.

You will be transferred back to your lodging at the end of the day with your private van again.