iii) Turkish and
Islamic Arts Museum: This museum is a
special attraction for historians and
antique enthusiasts.
iv)
Hippodrome:
The historical Hippodrome has three monuments namely, the Column
of Constantine, the Obelisk of Theodosius and
the Bronze Serpentine Column. The Hippodrome was used in the old
days as a center
of sporting events like athletics, chariot races and horse
races. It also
hosted political events of those times.
v)
Grand Cover Bazaar:
The Grand Cover Bazaar has more than
four thousand shops that are arranged in specific areas. For
example, the shops selling Turkish crafts and arts like
brassware, copperware, hand-painted ceramic trays
and plates, onyx ornaments and antiques have a separate area.
Similarly, separate areas are allotted for the carpet sellers
and goldsmiths. It is a
favorite destination for tourists who flock there to buy memoirs
and souvenirs.
b) Private
Istanbul Tours :
The Private Istanbul Tours
organize a “Full Day Byzantian History Tour” that
starts at nine
in the morning and ends at half past five in the evening. The
tour covers
i)
City Walls: Built by Emperor
Theodosius II, it is 6.5 kilometers in
length. It was built around 400 AD.
ii)
Pier Loti Hill: Pier Loti Hill has a wonderful view of
Istanbul and Golden
Horn. The renowned French writer Pierre Lotti had visited Turkey
and had
written a large number of poems involving the Golden Horn and
Istanbul.
This hill had been named after him.
iii)
Chora Church: This church is famous for its beautiful frescoes
and mosaics
and gives us a glimpse of the standard of workmanship during the
Byzantine renaissance. The exterior of the church is magnificent
as well.
A tour of Turkey is never complete without a thorough tour of
the Byzantian structures and remains. Thus travel companies
arranging tours of Turkey make specialized programs for a day or
a half of Byzantian tour.
Toursturkey.com offers enthusiasts 8-day and 11-day biblical
tours of Turkey. The 8-day tour practically begins on the second
day with visits to the St. Sophia Church and Topkapi Palace. It
is followed by a drive to Chora, a church of the medieval age.
Its beautiful frescoes and Christian mosaics delight tourists.
The next few days are spent visiting Troas, Assos, Pergamum, the
historical town of Troy, the birthplace of Homer at the Aegean
coast, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Ephesus, Laodicea,
Hierapolis, Izmir and Pamukkale.
Thus tourists who wish to set out for a biblical tour of Turkey
have numerous packages and options to choose from and thus can
ensure an enjoyable and memorable tour.
