[Private Charter] Istanbul: The Blue Mosque - Hagia Sophia - Istiklal Street - Galata Tower

▲ The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, took seven years to complete and stands as an iconic landmark in Istanbul. Its walls are adorned with blue Iznik tiles from Türkiye's renowned ceramic town, featuring intricate floral patterns against a white background, creating an overall blue ambiance throughout the mosque.

▲ The Blue Mosque is the largest domed structure in Istanbul, surrounded by six minarets. It is the only mosque in the world with six towering minarets and is considered one of the top ten wonders of the world.

▲ The Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) was constructed during the reign of the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian (532–537 AD), when the Byzantine Empire was at its peak. After the decline of the Byzantine Empire, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a Turkish mosque dedicated to Allah. Today, it serves as a religious museum shared by both Christians and followers of Muhammad.

▲ As one of the top ten most coveted churches in the world, Hagia Sophia fully showcases exceptional architectural artistry, making it a design template for later Islamic mosques. The golden glow of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus in the mural above the dome radiates magnificently.

▲ Inside the church, there is a Weeping Column where visitors place their thumbs in the hole and rotate their other fingers around it as a prayer for health and safety.

▲ Independence Street is known as Istanbul's "Champs-Élysées." It begins near the medieval Genoese community by the Galata Bridge Tower and ends at Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı). This area held significant importance in the political, economic, and cultural life of the entire Ottoman Empire. Today, the street is lined with Istanbul's renowned landmarks, including various churches, foreign consulates, and famous hotels.

▲ This elegant pedestrian street, stretching approximately 3 km, is lined with numerous boutiques, music stores, bookshops, art galleries, cinemas, theaters, libraries, cafes, bars, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, chocolate stores, and restaurants. It attracts both locals and foreign travelers, making it a popular social hub for young people.

▲ The Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi), originally built as a lighthouse by Byzantine Emperor Anastasius in 507, was initially constructed from wood. It was later burned down during the Crusades and rebuilt with stone by the Genoese in 1348.

▲ From the Galata Tower, you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of parts of Istanbul, as well as oriental belly dancing and midnight performances.