Topkapi Palace & Rustem Pasha Mosque Afternoon Tour

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Duration: 4h
Location: Sulthanamet, Istanbul, Turkey | Istanbul, Turkey


Category: Tours & Sightseeing

Highlights:
Remarkable 16th-century architecture
Holy relics & Ottoman treasures at the Topkapi Palace
Impressive collection of Chinese porcelains
Priceless Iznik tiles of the Rustem Pasha Mosque
Stories & anecdotes that bring the city’s past to life

Inclusions:
Guided tour of Topkapi Palace and Rustem Pasha Mosque
Admission fees
Roundtrip transportation to and from your Istanbul hotel

Description:

Admire the Ottomon treasures of the grand Topkapi Palace residence and the precious Iznik tiles of the Rustem Pasha Mosque. This guided half-day tour lets you hear stories and explore the history of the Ottoman period.

Begin with a visit to the opulent Topkapi Palace, once a primary residence of Ottoman sultans. Designed by Sultan Mehmed, the palace discloses clues about the Ottoman hierarchy. Towering gates welcome you to the palace's 4 large courtyards, the Harem section, and outer gardens; this complex is one of the world's largest and oldest surviving palaces. Venture into the majestic treasury to see a collection of Chinese porcelains, holy relics, sultan’s costumes, and weaponry. Then explore the grounds to find views of the Golden Horn inlet and the Sea of Marmara.

Continue on to the Rustem Pasha Mosque, built in the name of Suleiman the Magnificent, a prominent monarch of 16th-century Europe. This gem is a showpiece of the best Ottoman architecture and tile work. Tiles are every shade of blue, with many featuring the renowned red color envied by other tile makers; inside lighting shows them off well even on a rainy day. Also look for the Kundekari-style doors of carved and decorated wood, and the intricate gilded trim high on the vestibule walls and ceiling.