Roman Byzantine Heritage in Istanbul

Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantion… Founded in one of the world’s most strategic locations, this amazing city was the capital of the Roman and Eastern Roman (Byzantine) empires from 330 to 1453 AD. Even today, many important Roman heritage sites can be found in the city, and this route is all about discovering them.

On this route, we will visit various locations in an attempt to understand the many transformations the city underwent throughout its long history. How did it transform from a small Greek colony into a vast Roman imperial capital? How did the Roman city transform from pagan to Christian? And how did the Roman heritage continue and transform during the Ottoman period? By visiting various architectural sites, we can trace the marks of these changes. Some of the options we can explore together to discover the Roman heritage in Istanbul include visiting converted churches such as the Church of Christ Pantocrator or the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, viewing Roman artefacts in Istanbul’s Archaeology Museum, and strolling around the ancient city walls.

Together, let’s explore some of the lesser-known and well-known Roman and Byzantine heritage sites Istanbul has to offer.

Important Points Regarding This Route:

• This route requires a certain level of fitness. It is not suitable for visitors with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.
• This route is not wheelchair accessible.
• This route only includes the professional guidance service.
• Tickets and transportation costs are not included in the price. We may need to use public transportation (such as metro or bus) to reach certain locations. The cost of tickets and transportation will depend on how we are going to customise it.
• Modest clothing is required for religious sites (such as mosques, churches or tombs). Headscarves are available at the entrances of mosques, but not in tombs. For men, it is not possible to visit Fener Orthodox Patriarchate with shorts, a long pants is required.
• A small bag (like a shopping bag) is recommended to keep your shoes with you while visiting the interior of mosques or tombs.

Meeting Point:

We can meet in your hotel’s lobby. If that is not convenient for any reason, we can discuss the most suitable alternative. During our meeting, you will see my official tourist guidance licence hanging around my neck. If you cannot find the meeting point, please don’t hesitate to call or WhatsApp me.

Duration:

This route will take 7-8 hours. However, as all routes can be customised, it is possible to shorten or lengthen this one.

Availability:

This route is available every day, but some locations may be closed on certain days. Please contact me to find out about availability.

Contact with me via WhatsApp, if you are interested in this route:

---