Private & Guided Fener - Balat Walking Tour - Istanbul

The Suleymaniye Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and built by the renowned Ottoman architect Sinan. Construction work began in 1550 and was completed in 1557. The mosque's design was inspired by the style of a Byzantine basilica, specifically the Hagia Sophia. This may have been a deliberate decision by the sultan to establish a sense of continuity and symbolic connection with the city's past.

After visiting Suleymaniye Mosque, we will take a break for tea or coffee at Kadinlar Pazari, a lively square with authentic "buryan kebab" restaurants, situated under the shade of the Valens Aqueduct.

As we walk along the city's aqueduct, we will come across one of the oldest and most significant churches, which is now a mosque—the Zeyrek Mosque or Monastery of the Pantocrator. It is a unique combination of two former Eastern Orthodox churches and a chapel. The Zeyrek Mosque is the second-largest religious building after Hagia Sophia, constructed by the Byzantines and still standing in Istanbul.

We will then head towards the beautiful districts of Fener and Balat to explore the Aya Nikola Greek Orthodox Church. Afterwards, we will visit the Fener Orthodox Patriarchate. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is one of the fifteen autocephalous churches that make up the Eastern Orthodox Church. Since 1586, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has had its headquarters in the relatively modest Church of St. George in the Fener district of Istanbul.

After taking a break from sightseeing and enjoying a drink, we will continue our private and guided Istanbul tour to explore the winding cobblestone streets of Balat. Our first stop will be the Phanar Greek Orthodox College, a local landmark in Fener with a castellated red-brick facade, which still operates as a Greek school. Then, we will take you back to your hotel.