Eyup Pier Loti Hill and Chora Church: Guided Day Tour from Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
Trip Type: Cultural Tours
Duration: 8 hours
Visit Eyup, a sacred district for the locals, Pier Loti Hill for the breathtaking Golden Horn view, Chora Church to see the best late Roman mosaics and more in this guided day tour from Istanbul.
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Visit Eyup, a sacred district for the locals, Pier Loti Hill for the breathtaking Golden Horn view, Chora Church to see the best late Roman mosaics and more in this guided day tour from Istanbul.Start your tour by visiting Eyup, a hilly suburb which was named after the Prophet Mohammed’s best friend who is buried there. So, due to an age old tradition, everyone wanted to be near him to await the judgment day since the 15th century. And, because of this reason this place became a necropolis (the city of the dead) full of beautifully designed tombs and epitaphs. You will walk through these tombs before taking a cable car to Pierre Loti Hill which has a breathtaking view of Golden Horn, and was home to the eccentric French ‘Orientalist’ Pierre Loti.
After having a Turkish Coffee you will head to Chora Church which has the best surviving examples of late Byzantine frescoes and mosaics from 14thcentury. The purpose of these mosaics and frescoes is to tell the stories from Old and New Testament and what lies beyond the earthly existence from your guide.
After having lunch here you will continue to the Golden Horn by walking through the walls of Constantinople and two old districts of Istanbul, Fener and Balat and then you will reach the Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church. The Patriarch is the head of the Eastern Orthodox Churches and is followed by more than 300 Million Orthodox Christians.
From there you will head to Suleymaniye Mosque. This monumental mosque is built by Architect Sinan in the 16th century to honour Suleyman the Magnificent. With its poetic view and ingenious architecture it is just like a jewel in the crown of the Golden Horn. Then you will walk to the Golden Horn through alleyways and the Egyptian or Spice Bazaar. Tour finishes here but if you wish, your guide can assist you back to your hotel.
After having a Turkish Coffee you will head to Chora Church which has the best surviving examples of late Byzantine frescoes and mosaics from 14thcentury. The purpose of these mosaics and frescoes is to tell the stories from Old and New Testament and what lies beyond the earthly existence from your guide.
After having lunch here you will continue to the Golden Horn by walking through the walls of Constantinople and two old districts of Istanbul, Fener and Balat and then you will reach the Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church. The Patriarch is the head of the Eastern Orthodox Churches and is followed by more than 300 Million Orthodox Christians.
From there you will head to Suleymaniye Mosque. This monumental mosque is built by Architect Sinan in the 16th century to honour Suleyman the Magnificent. With its poetic view and ingenious architecture it is just like a jewel in the crown of the Golden Horn. Then you will walk to the Golden Horn through alleyways and the Egyptian or Spice Bazaar. Tour finishes here but if you wish, your guide can assist you back to your hotel.
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