The Ancient City of Constantinople - Byzantine-Era Half-Day Tour

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Duration: 3h 30m
Location: Istanbul, Turkey | Istanbul, Turkey


Category: Attractions

Highlights:
Opportunity to explore the great Byzantine Empire's heritage
Iconic sights such as St. George's Church & Chora Church
Ancient walls, gates & towers of the great Constantinople
Superb architectural structures, colorful mosaics & frescoes
Facts, legends & stories about Roman splendor & influence

Inclusions:
Guided tour of Byzantine-era Istanbul
Admission fees
Roundtrip transportation to and from your centrally located Istanbul hotel

Description:

Step back in time, to the grandeur of the Byzantine era in Istanbul. Visit some of the most representative sites from that time and wander around the great city walls to learn more about the Eastern Roman Empire and renowned Constantinople.

Sit back, take a break, and listen to your knowledgeable guide's narration about the Byzantine Empire, which lasted more than 1,000 years, from the 4th to the 15th century AD. Admire the Golden Horn naval harbor and visit St. George's Church, home to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople—the seat of Orthodox Christianity after Constantine the Great declared it the official religion of the Roman Empire. Then your tour takes you to the Church of Panagia of Blachernae, one of the most celebrated shrines to the Holy Virgin due to its Hagiasma (holy water) and the Hagion Lousma (sacred bath).

As you move on you can see the Chora Church, originally a Byzantine monastery, now a museum with colorful mosaics and frescoes portraying scenes from the Bible. Explore the dungeons of the Prison of Anemas, part of the Palace of Blachernae. Then wander around the Tekfur Palace—or the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus—the only surviving pavilion of the Blachernae. Finally, your guide takes you to the remains of the city's 5th-century walls. Admire these remains, with 96 towers and 9 main gates.