Istanbul Islamic Heritages Tour

Istanbul was the center of the Ottoman Empire, and the sultans were the caliphs of the Muslims until the empire ended in 1924. Many mosques have been built by the Muslims as well as the sultans. Istanbul once was the center of the Islamic world. Even today, almost %98 percent of Istanbul’s population is Muslim, and the city houses 3,365 mosques. The most well-known mosques are the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet), Suleymaniye Mosque, Bayezid Mosque, Eyup Sultan Mosque, New Mosque, and Rustem Paşa Mosque. In Istanbul Islamic Heritages Tour, we are recommending you to visit:

The Blue Mosque: an Ottoman imperial mosque that Sultan Ahmet built between 1609-1616. Even if it is called officially as Sultanahmet Mosque, the travelers named the Blue Mosque after they saw the blue tiles inside.

The Topkapi Palace: Once was the heart of the Ottoman Empire as a resident and headquarters. Sultan Mehmet II built the palace in the 15th century, and then it became the center of the Ottoman Empire. The palace houses the relics of Prophet Mohammed and Moses, Abraham, Jacob, and the prophet Mohammed’s companions. Since 1924, The Topkapi Palace serves as a museum.

Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art: firstly, the museum was founded in 1914 then moved to Ibrahim Pasha Palace in 1983. The museum houses the Islamic art examples of Emevi, Abbasi, Eyyubi, Ilhanli, Safavi, Kacar, Timurid, Seljuk, and Ottoman.

The Grand Bazaar: the oldest and the largest functioning market globally that it houses over 4,000 stores, 61 streets, and completely covered. Sultan Mehmet II built the Grand Bazaar in the 15th century, and then it was enlarged by the following sultans. Your guide will be more than happy to help you find your masterpiece of Turkish art upon your request.

• The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
• The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.