Hagia Theodosia Church is one of the most important stops on my walking tour covering Cibali, Fener and Balat districts. The building, which is essentially a 1000-year-old church from the Byzantine period, is today known as the Gul Mosque. St Theodosia was an iconophile woman who was killed by Roman soldiers during the Byzantine iconoclasm. When the period of anti-iconism, … [Read more...] about Hagia Theodosia Church (Gul Mosque) in Istanbul
OLD CITY
The Church of the Holy Apostles (Istanbul) 2025
The Church of the Holy Apostles was the second largest church in Constantinople (Istanbul) during the Byzantine period. The most important emperors in Byzantine history were buried in this church. The church dedicated to the Holy Apostles was destroyed during the Ottoman period and Fatih Mosque was built in its place. In this article you can find information about the … [Read more...] about The Church of the Holy Apostles (Istanbul) 2025
Kadir Has University (former Cibali Tobacco Factory)
Kadir Has University is essentially a tobacco factory built in the 19th century. Located on the southern shores of the Golden Horn, this structure is also known as Cibali Tobacco Factory, as it is identified with the name of the district it is located in. In the 19th century, tobacco was one of the main export products of the Ottoman Empire. For this reason, tobacco … [Read more...] about Kadir Has University (former Cibali Tobacco Factory)
The Story of BYZANTINE CHURCHES in Istanbul (2025)
The first three churches of Constantinople, Hagia Eirene, Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Apostles have not survived in their original form. Therefore, our knowledge of the early Byzantine Churches in Istanbul consists of what we know about the early Christian churches. The first churches of Christianity were inspired by the Basilica, an ancient Roman … [Read more...] about The Story of BYZANTINE CHURCHES in Istanbul (2025)
Monastery of Christ Pantocrator (Zeyrek Mosque) 2024
Church of the Monastery of Christ Pantocrator is located in Fatih district of Istanbul. The building, which attracts attention with its grandeur when looking at the Historical Peninsula from the Golden Horn, serves as the Zeyrek Mosque today. The Pantocrator Monastery was built in the late Byzantine period, and its church was the third most important religious building in … [Read more...] about Monastery of Christ Pantocrator (Zeyrek Mosque) 2024
Little Hagia Sophia (Sergius & Bacchus Church) → 2025
Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus was the first architectural work of the famous Byzantine emperor Justinian in Istanbul. During the early years of Justinian's reign, he had conflicts with the Roman aristocracy and built this church as a show of strength. Built under the joint reign of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, this church had very innovative architecture … [Read more...] about Little Hagia Sophia (Sergius & Bacchus Church) → 2025
BLUE MOSQUE Opening Hours (Updated → June 2025)
Blue Mosque is an Ottoman mosque built in 1616 and is famous for its blue tiles. The original name of the mosque is Sultanahmet Mosque. Blue Mosque opening hours change several times a year and you can find the most up-to-date information in this article. Blue Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening, but the mosque is closed to visitors … [Read more...] about BLUE MOSQUE Opening Hours (Updated → June 2025)
Things to Do in Golden Horn, Istanbul (Updated 2024)
Golden Horn was the natural harbor of Istanbul during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Goods brought from the Silk Road and Spice Road were exported to Europe from the port of Galata in Golden Horn. Today, the Golden Horn separates Istanbul's Historical Peninsula from Beyoglu. While there are historical districts such as Sultanahmet and Eminonu in the Historic Peninsula, … [Read more...] about Things to Do in Golden Horn, Istanbul (Updated 2024)
Byzantine Mosaics in Hagia Sophia (Latest News) 2025
The mosaics in Hagia Sophia are the traces of a lost civilization that have survived to the present day. Hagia Sophia was built in 537 and remained a church for 900 years. However, the mosaics inside were controversial even in those years. After 1453, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period and remained a mosque for about 500 years. The building … [Read more...] about Byzantine Mosaics in Hagia Sophia (Latest News) 2025
Hagia Sophia Architecture, History, Facts (Updated 2025)
Hagia Sophia is undoubtedly one of the structures that changed the history of architecture. It remained as the world’s biggest monotheistic temple for 1000 years. Hagia Sophia served as a church for 900 years, and as a mosque for 500 years and then as a museum for 85 years. As an experienced tour guide who has assisted various local and foreign visitors who visit Hagia … [Read more...] about Hagia Sophia Architecture, History, Facts (Updated 2025)