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Islamic Heritage Istanbul Tour
Duration: Full day (08:30 to 17:30)
Price: 50 Euro (per person)
Run: Everyday
After pick up from hotel or Istanbul cruise port, we will start the full
day guided tour.
Our tour starts visiting the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art; the dark
stone building that houses the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art was built
in 1524 by the Grand Vizier to Suleyman the Magnificent, Ibrahim Pasa, as
his residence. It was the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman
Empire. Today it holds a superb collection of ceramics, metalwork, miniatures,
calligraphy, textiles, and woodwork as well as some of the oldest carpets
in the world.
Next spot will the Imperial Sultanahmet Mosque; across from Hagia Sophia
stands with six minarets, built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet,
the building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because of its
magnificent interior paneling of blue and white Iznik tiles.
Drive to Rustem Pasha Mosque: It was designed by Mimar Sinan ("Sinan
the Architect") for Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha (who married one of the
daughters of Suleiman the Magnificent, Princess Mihrimah). Its building
took place from 1561 to 1563. The mosque is famous for its exquisite Iznik
tiles, set in beautiful floral and geometric designs, which cover not only
the facade of the porch but also the mihrab, minbar, walls, and columns.
Lunch in a fine Kebap Restaurant near by Rustem Pasha Mosque.
Drive to Eyup where the first mosque built after the Ottoman conquest of
the city, this greatly venerated shrine attracts many pilgrims. The great
Mosque of Eyup which lies outside the city walls, near the Golden Horn,
the standard bearer of the Prophet Mohammed, died in the Islamic assault
on Constantinople in A.D. 670 will be our next spot. Drive to Pierre Loti
for a Turkish Coffee with the birds eye view of the Golden Horn.
We will finish the day with a visit to Miniaturk Cultural Park, where models
of architectural masterpieces representing the Anatolian and Ottoman civilizations
are exhibited, offers a historical visit to Turkey in one compact area.
Models of more than 100 historical works, including the Library of Celsus
at Ephesus, the Malabadi Bridge, Bursa's Ulu Mosque, the Tomb of Mevlana,
Mescid-i Aksa, the Church of St. Antoine, the Ottoman galley Bastarda (circa
1657), Ataturk's boat, the Yerebatan Cistern, Mardin stone houses, Cappadocian
Peri bacaları (fairy chimneys), Ataturk's mausoleum, Aspendos, Hagia Sophia
and the Maiden's Tower can all be seen in one single place. Visitors enter
Miniaturk after viewing a 43- meter-long replica of the Bosphorus Bridge,
spanning an artificial lake.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel or Istanbul cruise
port.
Please take note of the following:
* 30% discount for children below the age 7, free for the ages 0-2
* Clothing: Entrance to Mosques visited in our tours is not allowed to gentlemen
and ladies with no proper outfit.
* Friday pray willbe done at Blue Mosque on request
* You are kindly requested to present your self at the pick up point 15
minutes prior the pre advised pick up time.
* Smoking is not permitted but all tours make frequent stops.
What's Included:
* Pick up and drop off at your Hotel or Cruise Port
* Transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking tour coaches
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* All entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums, parking and
road tolls
* Lunch at local restaurant (drinks extra)
* Local taxes