Discover the treasures of the Ottoman Empire on a must-see Istanbul tour!
You'll start your afternoon by visiting Topkapı Palace, former residence of the Ottoman sultans. This majestic palace houses the impressive imperial treasury, sacred relics of the Prophet Mohammed, collections of Chinese porcelain, weapons and works of calligraphy.
Next, you'll explore the Basilica of Saint Irene, located in the palace's outer courtyard. Considered the oldest church in the Eastern Roman Empire, it was built in 330 on the site of an ancient temple. Its typical Byzantine architecture makes it a precious testimony to Istanbul's religious history.
Finally, you'll visit the tombs of the sultans, located in the cemetery of Saint Sophia's Basilica. These mausoleums house five tombs of Ottoman sultans, adorned with ceramic panels from the XVIᵉ century featuring purple, red, green and blue floral motifs. You can also admire princely garments and fragments of the Kaaba covering displayed on the sarcophagi.