Ottoman Heritage tour

Our exclusive Ottoman architecture tour is recommended to anyone interested in learning about one of the world's most intriguing empires. The Ottoman Empire  was a giant mosaic of ethnic groups, religions and civilizations formed by Greeks, Armenians, Sephardic Jews, Levantines: Venetians and Genoese, Caucasians, Balkans: Gypsies, Albanians, Macedonians, Hungarians and Turks. It lasted nearly seven hundred years and its founder, Osman and his family ruled the empire for 36 generations. During this time they built countless palaces, pavilions, mosques, madrasas, bazaars and other buildings in and around Istanbul. Mimar Sinan, the chief architect of the Ottoman empire was a true genius of style and engineering and shaped the famous architecture style. His legacy can be found in a wide variety of structures designed including mosques, palaces, baths, schools, hospitals, fountains, aqueducts, among other structures.

We will start the tour visiting the Blue Mosque, also known as the mosque of Sultan Ahmet, built in the classic Ottoman style and is located just in front of Hagia Sophia. We then head to the Topkapi Palace, the private residence of the Sultan and the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Second stop will be the Süleymaniye Mosque and Complex, a masterpiece designed by the famous ottoman architect Sinan on one of the seven hills of the historical peninsula. We will then walk towards the Spice Bazaar, one of the most colorful and aromatic places in the city. It's time to cross the Galata Bridge, the bridge over the bay of Golden Horn and one the most iconic landmarks of Istanbul. After a stop for lunch, we will visit one of Istanbul's hidden gems, Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque, a charming mosque built on an artificial island on the Bosphorus Strait. The last stop will be at Tophane fountain, the third biggest historical fountain of Istanbul with four facades decorated with Ottoman calligraphy and floral motifs.