The Trace of Christianity Biblical Full Day Tour in Istanbul

In Anatolia, early Christianity took shape and spread. Thus a journey through this part of the world often has something of the quality of a pilgrimage, both a physical and a spiritual search for the origins and realities of one’s faith.

The ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE at Fener, by the Golden Horn, is the heart of Orthodox Christianity. After Constantine the Great’s declaration of Christianity as the religion of the Roman Empire, the capital was moved from Rome to Byzantium. With the conquest (1453) of the Ottoman Empire, the seat of the Patriarchate remained in Istanbul. The Church commands a loyalty of about 250 million faithful.

Church of PANAGIA OF BLACHERNAE, famed for the hagiasma (fountain of holy water), good to cure health problems, and the Hagion Lousma (sacred bath) good to clean the soul, where the emperor also came to purify himself, was the best known and most celebrated shrine of the Holy Virgin located near Golden Horn.

ST. SAVIOR IN CHORA, originally a Byzantine monastery, Dedicated to Jesus Christ the Savior, survived with fantastic mosaics and frescoes, portraying scenes from the Bible, the life and miracles of Jesus. The monastic complex of Christ PANTOCRATOR (Zeyrek) was one of the largest and best organised of the Byzantine period, comprising two churches and a funerary chapel, baths, a hospice for the aged, a hospital and a medical school, a hostel for travellers, and a library.

ZOODOCHOS PEGE AT BALIKLI, dedicated to the Mother of God at Pege, with an underground cistern, full of goldfish related to a well-known miracle, and the fountain of holy water, believed to cure many diseases, is one of the most celebrated shrines.

ST. SERGIUS & BACCHUS, a Landmark in Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. Today it is known as the “Little Hagia Sophia” because its general plan is the precursor of The Hagia Sophia.

HAGIA SOPHIA, for many centuries, was the largest church of Christendom, Dedicated to Divine Wisdom, an attribute of Christ. Hagia Sophia played an important role as emperors were crowned and many victories were celebrated in this remarkable building.

HAGIA EIRENE, the old patriarchal church with its impressive size stands next to Hagia Sophia. Church of the ST. MARY PAMMACARISTOS (Fethiye), built in XIth century by John Comnenus, displaying the aesthetic refinement attained to the Paleologan age, originally belonged to a convent of nuns. Housed the Patriarchate for a while after the conquest.

CLOSURES

Church of St. Mary Pammacaristos on Wednesdays
Beylerbeyi and Dolmabahçe Palaces are both closed on Mondays
Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia visited from outside on Friday mornings because of the noon prayer.
Grand Covered Bazaar on Sunday replaced by authentic shops
Topkapı Palace on Tuesday replaced by PLNTTB Tour to Byzantium
Dolmabahçe Palace  on Monday replaced by PLNGH Eyüp + Pierre Loti Coffee House + Miniatürk Program

Tour Code: PLN022