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