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Sultanahmet Square
 The first of the seven hills on the promontory has been the most important and dynamic part of Istanbul in all ages. When the city was first founded, the acropolis was a typical Mediterranean trading center surrounded by city walls. This trading center was enlarged and rebuilt during Roman times. The most prominen Serpentine Column
 Originally this column was erected in 479 B.C. in front of Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece, to commemorate the naval victory of the Greeks over the Persians and to show their respect to Apollo for winning the battle after consulting his oracle. The bronze column was formed by 3 intertwined snakes and names of the 31 Greek city-states that participated in the war were written on them. It's also said that there was a big golden pot on top of the snake Egyptian Obelisk
 Around 1490 BC the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III erected two obelisks before the Karnak temple in Luxor to commemorate the victories of his forces in Mesopotamia. The obelisks were made of rare pink granite. In the 4th century AD, an unknown Roman emperor who wanted to accomplish something impressive that would create excitement among his people had the colossal obelisk brought to Istanbul Walled Obelisk
 The Walled Obelisk (also known as Constantine Obelisk) is situated near Serpentine Column, Egyptian Obeliskand German Fountain is also its neighbour,which is located in front of Serpentine Column, at the southern side German Fountain
 The German Fountain (Turkish: Alman Cesmesi) is a gazebo styled fountain in the northern end of old Hippodrome ( Sultanahmet Square), Istanbul Binbirdirek Cistern
 The cistern is located in Sultanahmet to the west of the Hippodrome.It is the second biggest cistern of Istanbul after Bassilica Cistern,which is also situated in Sultanahmet and that used to provide water from Hagia Sophia
 Hagia Sophia (Greek: "Holy Wisdom", Turkish: Ayasofya) is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum, in Istanbul Hippodrome
 The Hippodrome of Constantinople (Turkish: Sultanahmet Meydani) was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydani ( Sultan Ahmet Square Hippodrome Istanbul
Istanbul's Byzantine Hippodrome was the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life, and the scene of games and riots through 500 years of Ottoman history as well (map). It's now a calm city park called the At Meydani (Horse Grounds) because of its function in Ottoman times. Yerebatan Saray, the Sunken Palace Cistern, is beneath the little park at the northern end of the Hippodrome. Above the hidden cistern is a stone tower that was once part of the city's system of aqueducts. Beside the stone tower is the Milion, the zero-mile-marker on the road called the Mese, the Roman road between Constantinope and Rome. The street is now calle Highlights of Istanbul Old City
Tour Summary Type: Culture, History, Shopping Length: 4 Hours Timing: This half day tour must start before 9:00 AM or after 1:00 PM.  5 Day Western Turkey Tour
Day 1 - Istanbul Full day city tour of Istanbul. There are visits to ancient Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, The Underground Cistern, St. Sophia Church, Topkapi Palace. Then visit to world famous Grand Bazaar covers more than 4000 shops. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 2 - Istanbul - Canakkale After bre ISTANBUL Short Break in 3 Days
Destinations: Istanbul and Princes island with Bosphorus Departure: DAILY DAY 1 : (Istanbul city tour)Breakfast, then we move on to visit some of the most important historical sights of Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome, Obelisk and Topkapi Palace (Harem room optional extra). In the evening back to hotel & Overnight in istan |