Roman Byzantine Heritage of Istanbul
Description
Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantion… This amazing city, founded upon one of the most strategic positions in the world, was the capital of Roman and Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empires from 330 AD to 1453 AD. Even today, we can see many important Roman sites around the city. This route is all about exploring them. How did the city change from a small Greek colony to a huge Roman imperial capital? How did the Roman city change from a pagan city to a Christian one? How did the Roman heritage survive and change during the time of the Ottomans? By visiting various architectural sights, it is possible to trace the marks of these transformations. On this route, we will visit various locations in an attempt to understand how the city has changed over time.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Once the 'Golden Gate' of the Romans and then the 'Seven Towers' of the Ottomans, it is now one of the city's most interesting historical sites, offering stunning panoramic views of Istanbul.
Istanbul's Roman-era walls were the largest and most complex urban fortifications of their time. They remain monumental and impressive to this day. We will visit one of the best-preserved examples on our route.
A real gem of Byzantine art, Chora is one of the top sights in Istanbul. Almost completely decorated with mosaics and frescos, Chora will stay in your memory for a long time after your visit.
Once the palace of Roman emperors, the interior of this building has been reconstructed and turned into a museum, but it has preserved its exterior features very well. We will examine the building from the outside, but we can also visit the inside if you prefer.
The mosque built by Sultan Mehmed, who conquered Constantinople and had the title of Caesar of Rome added to his other titles, is among the most important mosques of Istanbul. Sultan's tomb is also located in the courtyard of this mosque. Apart from its impressive architecture and some elements that remain a mystery, we will visit one of Istanbul's must-see spots with its unusual history that connects the building to a Roman and Christian past.
Once part of the longest Roman water network, the 4th century Aqueduct of Emperor Valens still impresses its visitors with its monumental appearance.
Despite significant damages caused by strong earthquakes and devastating fires, this 12th Century Roman building still preserves a harmonious blend of Byzantine and Ottoman art within its walls. Another impressive panorama of the city is just one of the surprises that is ready to be explored in and around of the Zeyrek Mosque.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The guide will only provide “tourist guidance service” in accordance with the legal guidelines in Türkiye.
Reviews(5)
Our guide Unsal was extraordinary! This being a private tour he showed us all the important Roman Heritage sights which is not listed in the normal tours. He took time to discuss with us our interest level and at each of the historical places he explained every thing in detail. Helped us with lunch introduced us to a special sweet dish. Not only dropped us where we wanted but guided us again to our next activity and again helped us with dinner choices. A very friendly person it was like spending a day with a friend who knows so much about the many historical events that shaped Istanbul. He explained every thing about the art work in the Mosques added with pictures from his IPad, showing us how things were how things would be. Highly recommended tour.
I cannot recommend this tour high enough. Unsal is an excellent guide providing detailed descriptions of every place, while selecting sites off the beaten path. My knowledge of Roman Istanbul has increased tenfold, and i have tons of memories of the places we visited.
I took the Roman Byzantine Heritage tour with Unsal. I’m a history buff so really wanted to see and learn more about the Roman Constantinople history. Unsal ended up being the perfect guide. He is not only professional and knowledgeable but also very kind and a great company. The tour lasted several hours, almost the whole day, as even when the itinerary was followed pretty closely, the thoroughness of the explanations and the conversations resulted in an extended time. Other than the rush to reach some Mosques due prayer time schedules, there was never a rush to cover my questions and interests. The tour combined walking, metro rides and taxis, which were basically tailored to the my specific needs and preferences. Unsal complemented his explanations with digital material thru an iPad, which I thought it was nice. At the end of the day, he still wanted me to see an additional site that I missed during my first visit to Istanbul but unfortunately I was too tired and had to decline, however, that showed Unsal’s passion for his job and customer service excellence. At the end of the tour, he called a taxi for me and even rode with me to my hotel to ensure I would get there safe and sound. Great and highly recommended experience overall!
Unsal customised an itinerary for my second visit to Istanbul including the Roman Heritage area. The rich history and breathtaking artwork on display in all the places we visited was incredible. Unsal is a wonderful guide who paces the program and information based on your energy level and preference. I particularly appreciated the extensive personal photo collection which is used for reference during activities, as this helped highlight key information and intricate design details in the areas visited. I highly recommend Unsal as a reliable and engaging person. His guiding style will allow you to explore Istanbul effectively and in keeping with your specific areas of interest, whilst helping you to learn so much about the history of this fascinating city.
In 2024, I joined "Istanbul Essentials for First Timers" route with Ünsal - such a great experience that I had to come back for more. Eager to explore the city’s deeper layers, I booked him once again, this time focused on lesser-known historical gems. After coffee at Sirkeci, we took the metro to Kazlıçeşme and walked to Yedikule Hisarı, a former fortress with Istanbul views. A short bus ride brought us to Mevlanakapı, part of the restored Byzantine walls. My favorite stop was Chora Church, also known as Kariye Camii, in Edirnekapı. Dating back to the 4th century, it’s renowned for its exquisite Late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes depicting biblical stories, particularly the life of the Virgin Mary. Having served as a church, mosque and a museum, its layered history is fascinating. We made brief stops at the restored Tekfur Sarayı and the Aqueduct of Valens and visited the Fatih Mosque Complex before ending at Zeyrek Mosque, a beautifully restored Byzantine church overlooking the Golden Horn. Along the way, I tried my first chicken dürüm and we had Turkish tea and desserts. Ünsal’s knowledge and passion made the day unforgettable. Teşekkür ederim!