Tour code:OPUS341
02 Nights / 03 Days
Connecting
cities to water supplies was a characteristic trait of the entire Roman
Empire. The remains of Rome’s and Ottoman’s mastery over water could be
still seen today in Istanbul. We invite you to discover the
relationship between water, civilisations and cultures in Istanbul.
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul – Karaköy and Taksim districts
Arrival to Istanbul and before transfer to the hotel, we will visit Church of St. Mary of the Spring (Balikli Rum Kilisesi)
which has been built in 1835. The complex got its name from a nearby
holy spring, reputed to have healing properties. For almost fifteen
hundred years, this sanctuary has been one of the most important
pilgrimage sites of Greek Orthodoxy. Then we’ll continue to the Panagia Vlaherna Church which was built in 5th century. In the afternoon, we will visit the Rezan Has Museum
to visit a Byzantine cistern dated to 11th century with forty-eight
arches, fifteen bases, and twenty columns, built to meet the water
needs of the district was brought to light during excavations in 1944
by Istanbul Archaeological Museums. We’ll continue to the Aqueduct of Valens.
This limestone aqueduct is one of the city’s most distinctive
landmarks. Commissioned by the Emperor Valens and completed in AD 378,
it was part of an elaborate system sourcing water from the north of the
city and linking more than 250 km of water channels, some 30 bridges
and over 100 cisterns within the city walls, making it one of the
greatest hydraulic engineering achievements of ancient times. Then, we
will visit Tophane Fountain which was built upon the
orders of Sultan Mahmud I in 1732. The fountain is a work of art by the
architect Mehmet Agha. The fountain also forms an architectural unity
with Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque. Finally we will go to Taksim. Taksim,
from its Arabic origin means "division" or "distribution". The Taksim
square was originally the point where the main water lines from the
north of Istanbul were collected and branched off to other parts of
the city (hence the name). This use for the area was established by
Sultan Mahmud I. The square takes its name from the stone reservoir
which is located in this area. Leisure time at night. Accommodation at
your hotel.
Day 2: İstanbul – Sultanahmet district
Breakfast at your hotel. We will start our walking tour from Ay Bir (Vefa) Church which was built in the first half of 18th century. Then we’ll continue to Binbirdirek (1001 Column) Cistern. Constantine the Great built this cistern in AD 330. During Ottoman times it was converted into a han (caravanserai) for silk manufacturers. After that, we will see the German Fountain which
is a gazebo styled fountain. It was constructed to commemorate the 2nd
anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit to Istanbul in 1898.
Continue to the Basilica Cistern that is the largest
of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of
İstanbul. After lunch, we will continue our tour with Haseki Hürrem Sultan Hamamı
(Bath of Roxelana) which is a Turkish bath (hamam).It was commissioned
by Suleyman the Magnificient’s consort Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana) and
constructed by Mimar Sinan during the 16th century in Istanbul. It was
constructed for the religious community of nearby Hagia Sophia. Next
stop is the Fountain of Ahmed III which has a Turkish
rococo style. It’s located in the great square in front of the Imperial
Gate of Topkapi Palace. Finally we’ll finish our tour in Cağaloğlu Hamamı
(Bath), constructed in 1741. It’s the last bath which was built during
the Ottoman times in Istanbul. Leisure time at night. Accommodation at
your hotel.
Day 3: Istanbul – departure
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport. End of our services.