Mehmet II. is the Ottoman Sultan known as The Conquerer. He was 21 years old when he conquered the city of Constantinople. What is the story behind his success? Did you know he could speak 6 languages fluently!! We stroll around the large Fatih Complex, and see -Roman Colmuns, Byzantine Churches, Gothic Cisterns and Large Mosques. The commentary of your guide will bring alive for you the amazing world of the Ottoman Sultans. The most interesting, the liveliest and the most colourful of Istanbul's street bazaars-Çar
Fener is derived from a Greek word 'Fanari' meaning 'lantern' or 'lighthouse' in Turkish. It was a district of prominent and predominantly Romaic (Greek Ortdodox) families up to the beginning of the 20th century. It is the part of Istanbul where the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is situated. Did you know that Phanariotes dominated the administration of the Patriarchate. Listen to the story of Phanariotes who served as dragomans to the Ottoman government and to foreign embassies. If you are interested in
This area lies outside the historical peninsula and the city walls. In this area we see many mosques, mousoleums, graveyards, fountains as well as old imarets-eateries-for poor people. Being outside the city walls the area has long been used as a major Muslim shrine. Today Muslims from all over world pay visit to this holly place. Our tour begins with a visit to the Mosque of Eyub al Ansari - the standard bearer of Prophet Muhammed – and continues to the Mousoleum of Sokullu Mehmet Pasa, a Grand Vizier of Sel
Probably the best way to describe the Grand Bazaar is to quote Mark Twain - "We went to the Grand Bazaar in Stamboul, of course, and I shall not describe it further than to say it is a monstrous hive of little shops - thousands, I should say - all under one roof, and cut up into innumerable little blocks by narrow streets which are arched overhead." With more than 4000 shops in 64 streets and with 22 gates, the-Grand Bazaar - or Kapaliçarsi as it is in Turkish - , looks like a labyrinth. We must say that this defin
In the Byzantine period, the hillside - where Galata is today - was covered with orchards and was named Sykai (The Fig Orchard), or Peran en Sykais (The Fig Field on the Other Side), referring to the "other side" of the Golden Horn. It was in the Byzantine period that the area began to be called Galata and a fortress was built by Emperor Theodosius II. Galata was, a Genoese colony from the 6th to 15th centuries. This walk is around the famous Galata Tower and covers the area, where we see many churches, synagogues,
Istanbul University is probably one of the oldest universities of Europe, established by Constantine The Great. We begin the stroll from the Roman Forum Taurus. Your guide will show you interesting parts of the Bayazit District. We will be touched by the stories of the unlucky Sultan Mustafa III. What do you know about the Byzantine Monks of the Myrelaion Monastery? Where was the square for executions in Byzantine Constantinople? Haseki is an area with amazing mosques, historical hospitals, Romaic churches, Roman r
Istanbul is a city on seven hills. The Süleymaniye area is located on the third hill of the historical peninsula. This tour covers the historical districts from Süleymaniye - the largest Mosque complex of the Ottoman Empire – to Vefa. Do you know why Suleyman is named The Magnificent? Lets listen to our guide speaking about the greatest of Turkish Architects-Sinan - and the most beloved son of Süleyman The Magnificent - Sehzade Mustafa-the Prince. We walk in and around Vefa and have a chance to taste the trad
This is second part of the Beyoglu Walk. The journey starts in front of the massive gate of Galatasay Lycee. The surprises of this walk are the old embassy palaces of the 19th century such as The Russian Palace, The Dutch Embassy and many others. We see old apartment buildings and hear the people, really listen to them, because they speak through our guides. We listen the stories of Edmie de Coch, Ipar Family, Maria Draperis and many others. Did you know that Franz List lived in some of the (little side streets) of
The area that is now known as Beyoglu historically covers the area from Taksim to Tunel. The name originates from Bey Oglu (literally Son of Governor) and was particularly used by the Turks to describe Luigi Giritti, son of Andrea Gritti, the Venetian Bailo during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Istiklal Caddesi is the name of the main road of Beyoglu. We begin our stroll in "Taksim”, which means water-distribution center, which was set up by Sultan Mahmut I in 1732. We walk along the rails of the old
Balat is located on the sothern shores of the Golden Horn. It is one of the Jewish districts where Jews were re-settled during the time of the Ottoman Empire. We walk in Balat and find ourselves in intriguing streets with amazingly colourful life. Synagogues, Armenian churches, Romaic churches, Byzantine remnants and Ayazma's are part of todays adventure. Although once it had seven synagogues, now it has only two in good condition: Ahrida and Yambol Synagogues. The cast-iron Bulgarian Orthodox church of St. Stephen
Untitled Documentİstiklal Cad. No. 53 Kat 5 Daire 9 İstanbul Beyoğlu - İstanbul, Turkey | Antonina Turizm | İstanbul Fish Festival | Usefull links
