Istanbul
5 hours
English
History & Food Tour
Overview
There are only a few buildings in the entire world that carry the magic aura that Hagia Sophia has. Built as the main House of Worship for the Roman Empire’s capital Constantinople, Hagia Sophia served as the central house of prayer for the Christian world for centuries. Explore its secrets on this majestic private Hagia Sophia tour!
It was considered to be an architectural masterpiece, attracting many world-famous architects to seek inspiration. After the conquest by the Ottoman Empire, Hagia Sophia remained the most important temple, just now for the Islamic world.
This place is majestic and breathtaking. On this private tour with Vines & Pearls you will discover the many symbols and layers of Christianity and Islam overlapping in this beautiful place of worship. The legendary impact of many emperors over the turn of the centuries is present and felt here.
Hagia Sophia is surrounded by tiny streets dating back to the same historical times. While walking through the back alleys we will try and enjoy authentic Turkish tastings, opening another layer of rich Turkish culture carried on through generations. We will end this Hagia Sophia tour in the historic fine dining restaurant with a tasting of delicious local wine and selected authentic mezes prepared for you by a talented chef.
Adjust this private Hagia Sophia tour to your wishes by simply sending us a message!
What's special about "Majestic Hagia Sophia Tour & 5 Turkish Tastings"
Explore the majestic Hagia Sophia
Learn the history behind this house of worship in the turn of the centuries
Taste delicious local food at the back alleys of the historic neighbourhood
Enjoy the glass of authentic quality local wine paired with chef made Turkish mezes in a historic fine dining restaurant
Relax at the centuries old fine dining restaurant located at historic water cistern built in 542 AD
Browse through the local shops at a small and cozy bazar
What's included
Entrance ticket to Hagia Sophia included
About this experience
The Roman Emperor Constantine had a vision for the site, which then was just a small Byzantine fishermen’s village. The extraordinary location of the site e, protected by water and situated in the center of the trade routes between the East and the West, was a perfect place to build a capital city for the most powerful empire at the time. This is how the glorious Constantinople was born.
Hagia Sophia was built in the heart of this capital city to serve as the main house of worship for the Western world. It was the most significant architectural masterpiece of the time. Home to Emperors’ inaugurations, holy festivities, this grand house of prayer has also witnessed many cruelties and battleships over the turn of centuries.
With the conquest by the Ottoman Empire, Hagia Sophia continued its mission as a spiritual center and comforted generations of Islam worshipers. Today it also serves as one of the main mosques of the country, and definitely the one with the most historical significance. During this Majestic Hagia Sophia tour & 5 Turkish Tastings, our professional and passionate guide will take you around the crossroads of history, introducing the elements lasting from the different eras and complex historical events.
While Hagia Sophia is no doubt an inspiring place, the tour does not end there. We will explore the back alleys of the neighborhood, visit a less-known bazaar in the historical center and try the handpicked local tastings. We will end our journey through history and culture at the impressive fine dining restaurant, located in the thousands of years old historical water cistern that used to supply water to the Great Palace. Here on the Hagia Sophia tour we will explore another, less-known treasure of Turkish culture – its local wine. Not many know but Turkey is proven to be the birthplace of winemaking traditions, and there is no better place to try them than in an authentic centuries-old restaurant.
This tour is the ideal combination of history, culture and food, inviting you to explore one of the most important temples in human history and understand Turkish culture and heritage through the most delicious elements of it!
The tour is private and can be easily adjusted to your wishes!
You can check our Trip Advisor page for more references.
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