Hagia Sophia, Sultans & Byzantine Secrets Free Walking Tour

Before Istanbul was Istanbul, it was Byzantium. Before it was the capital of the Ottoman Empire, it was Constantinople, the heart of one of history's greatest civilizations. Join us on a journey through the layers of history hidden in the old city, where every stone tells a story of emperors, sultans, battles and transformations. Starting in Sultanahmet, we explore the ancient Hippodrome, where thousands gathered for legendary chariot races and where political decisions could change the destiny of an empire. Discover the stories behind the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column, ancient monuments that survived the rise and fall of civilizations. Continue to the Blue Mosque and learn how Ottoman sultans created a new imperial center after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. The highlight of the tour is Hagia Sophia, the monument that has stood at the crossroads of Christianity and Islam for almost 1,500 years. From its creation under Emperor Justinian as the greatest church of the Byzantine world, to its transformation into an Ottoman mosque and its role in modern Turkey, Hagia Sophia reflects the many identities of Istanbul.