Would you like to visit the ancient Christian churches of Constantinople? Byzantian Relics Tour allows you to see the city’s most important Christian shrines and relics and admire the picturesque shores of the Strait!
You will visit the ancient museum of Kariye Mosaics, which, despite its outward inconspicuousness, amazes every visitor who crosses its threshold. It’s all about the ancient frescoes and mosaics that have miraculously survived to this day. Built in the 4th century as a church in the Chora monastery complex, it is now one of the unsurpassed monuments of Byzantine culture and a unique museum of frescoes.
Nearby you will see the Patriarchate of Constantinople, which will interest you not only because of its history. It contains many important Christian relics, such as the relics of Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom and other saints, the patriarchal throne inlaid with pearls and ivory, the Pillar of the Flagellation of Christ, sacred icons and many other relics.
You will see the most beautiful part of the city – the Golden Horn, where in the 7th century BC. The very first colony of Byzantium was founded. Subsequently, Constantinople was formed here.
On the shore of the Golden Horn, visit another unique shrine of the city – the Bulgarian Church of St. Stephen. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that this church is made of iron.
You will have the opportunity to visit the famous Blachernae Church of the Virgin. It was here in 910 in this place that Our Lady appeared to the holy fool Andrew and spread her veil to protect the faithful. In memory of this event, the Orthodox Church instituted the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Byzantian Relics Tour in Istanbul takes you through the origins of the history of Christianity. You will be filled with positive emotions and peace!
Istanbul Byzantian Relics Tour price is 35 Euro for adults, 20 Euro for children from 7 to 11 years old and for children under 6 years old free.
Please note that we have ‘no hidden costs’
Tour days: Daily
Tour duration: From 13:30 to 17:00
Istanbul Hotels Transfer: Pick up from your hotel
A comfortable bus will pick you up from your hotel and you will embark on an exciting journey through the history of Christianity!
Your way leads to the picturesque Golden Horn Bay, where in the 7th century BC. The first colony of Byzantium was founded. The city of Constantinople was later formed around this colony. On the shores of this beautiful bay, visit the old church of Kariye, which has preserved a great cultural treasure in the form of frescoes and mosaics.
In the Patriarchate of Constantinople see the relics of Gregory of the theologian John Chrysostom, the Pillar of the Flagellation of Christ. You will see the unique Iron Church of St. Stephen and the famous Blachernae Church where the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to the holy fool Andrew. You can visit all these unique shrines and miracle sites in just a few hours thanks to the Holy Byzantium excursion!
You will visit the old Kariye Church which was built over 1500 years ago. The church has not lost its splendor over the centuries and is even considered the best preserved Byzantine monastery in Istanbul. Before the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks, the church was called Chora . The most valuable relics collected in all the monasteries of the city were kept in this temple.
The building looks modest from the outside. It has experienced multiple damage from earthquakes. But the interior of the temple will really surprise you! You will not see so many mosaics and frescoes of biblical scenes in any temple in the world! The Chora Monastery has been a museum since 1945.
Not far away is the Patriarchate of Constantinople, often referred to as the Great Church of Christ. According to legend, it was called by the apostle Andrew the First. And according to modern official documents of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the chair is reported to have a dual origin – from the apostle Andrew the First-Called and from John the Theologian.
Originally the main patriarchal church was the Cathedral of St. Sophia, today – in the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious. It is famous for its history and will surprise you with important holy Christian relics. Many sacred icons are located in the temple. The Marble Arches contain the relics of John Chrysostom, Gregory the Theologian, shrines containing the holy relics of Theophany, Solomonia and Euchemistry of All Praise. Part of the Pillar of the Scourge of Jesus Christ brought here by Queen Helena from Jerusalem in 326. On it you can see the remains of the ring to which Jesus was chained. And the patriarchal throne will surprise you with its inlaid pearls and ivory.
The picturesque Golden Horn Bay was formed around 6000 BC. Contemporaneous with the Bosphorus. In ancient times, the Golden Horn was filled with many fish – the mackerel family and the big tuna. Fish was the staple food and an important part of export. In the 7th century B.C. BC the Byzantine colony was founded on the south coast of the bay.
The natural harbor has played a very important historical role. Various peoples have been fighting for centuries to get this bay. There was even a protective chain stretched across the entrance to the bay during fighting. She did not allow enemy ships to enter from the sea.
On the very shore of the Golden Horn Bay, visit the amazing St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church (Bulgarian Church). It is unusual in that it is made entirely of cast iron. The original wooden church building was severely damaged by fire. Until 1912 the Bulgarian Church was the main cathedral of the Exarchate. In 1890 it was decided to build a new church on this site.
The soil in this place is quite weak, so it was decided to build an iron church. The metal parts of the church, weighing around 500 tons, were transported by sea from Vienna to Istanbul. For half a century, the altar stone of the altar, preserved as a monument of the former wooden church, reminds of the historical role of the temple.
You will visit a very important shrine of the Orthodox world, the famous Blachernae Church of the Virgin, built between 450-453. The temple was part of the Blachernae Palace. It was here in 910 in this place that Our Lady appeared to the holy fool Andrew and spread her veil to protect the faithful. In memory of this event, the Orthodox Church declared the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Blachernae icon is credited with saving Constantinople during the sieges. It is believed to contain the ruined relics of the martyrs who died for the faith. Since 1081, the Blachernae Imperial Palace was the main residence of the rulers of Byzantium. In this church there is an ancient spring with healing water that, according to legend, cures mental illnesses.
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