Bohemian Istanbul: Fener and Balat's Charm-Private Walking Tour [101884P19]
The areas of Fener & Balat dating back to Byzantine times are rich in history, culture and art. They have historically been home to different communities and religions. A walk through these historic neighborhood offer travelers a unique experience where past and present mingle in colorful cobbled streets, designers cafés and shops are lined with traditional coffee houses. This is the kind of place where you can join locals in buying fresh veggies and fruits from a cart and try authentic Turkish food in local eateries.
ADDITIONAL INFO
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
INCLUDED
- Skip the line priority to buy museum tickets
- Private tour for your family
- Private guiding service by an expert tour guide
NOT INCLUDED
- Museum tickets
- Gratuities
- Transportation
CANCELLATION POLICY
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
ITINERARY
- You will see one of the most impressive monuments of late antiquity. The Theodosius Land Walls were built in the 5th century during the early reign of Emperor Theodosius II (ruled 408–450)and withheld all attacks until 1453.
- You will see a very beautiful historic church which is located near the northern tip of the walls of Theodosius. The church was built by the Empress Pulcheria (ca. 450-453), and her husband, Emperor Marcian. This little shrine has the Hagiasma which is the fountain of holy water where water flowed out of the hands of the marble statue of the Virgin Mary.
- Istanbul hides many amazing religious places that create rich religious and cultural life. Ahrida synagogue which dates back to early 15th century is a beautiful example of this mosaic.
- St Stephen of the Bulgarians Church (Sveti Stefan) is a cast Iron Church on the Golden Horn. The church consists of poured iron slabs that were floated on cargo ships from Vienna, down the Danube River, across the Black Sea, through the Bosphorus, only to then be mounted on-site.
- This beautiful Red School structure is one of the city’s few remaining Greek orthodox schools. Since its establishment, the school educated the children of prominent Greek and Bulgarian families of the Ottoman Empire.
- These picturesque neighborhoods were once Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox and Jewish neighborhoods. Today Fener & Balat are famous for its vintage stores, designer cafés, colorful old wooden houses and amazing churches.
- The Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Istanbul has been the spiritual center of the Greek Orthodox world since around 1600.This compound of buildings located behind the sea walls fronting the Golden Horn includes the beautiful 19th-century Patriarchal Church of St George.
- The Byzantine Tekfur Palace is the only surviving structure of Blakernia Palace, that was used mostly between the 11th and 15th century. This three-story Byzantine palace is situated just within Istanbul's city walls near Edirnekapı gate. This is a unique structure as it is the only Byzantine Palace left standing in the world.
