A day in the footsteps of ancestors, at the zero point of history... A complete guide to stand in prayer under the grand dome of Hagia Sophia and spend time with your family in the peaceful courtyard of Sultanahmet.
We start our tour with Hagia Sophia, which has been the apple of the eye of civilizations for centuries and for which epics were written. The moment you step through the door, the dim and mystical atmosphere under that grand dome wraps around you. There could be no better place to stand and contemplate under those giant calligraphy plates (the names of 'Allah', 'Muhammad', the Four Caliphs, and Hasan-Huseyin) with your children and to tell them about Fatih Sultan Mehmed's conquest of Istanbul. Especially during a noon or afternoon prayer performed in congregation, listening to the Quran recitation echoing on those giant stone walls will wipe away all the rust in your soul. Prostrating in the trust of the ancestors is a reason for gratitude that cannot be described in words.
After exiting Hagia Sophia and crossing that beautiful square (Sultanahmet Square), Sultanahmet Mosque welcomes you with all its glory. This masterpiece, which Westerners call the 'Blue Mosque' because of the more than 20 thousand Iznik tiles inside, makes you feel the elegance and power of the Ottoman Empire at the same time. Sitting in the courtyard of this grand temple reaching to the sky with its six minarets and watching the children feed the pigeons is one of the most beautiful 'Istanbul memories' to be experienced as a family. When you enter the mosque, the colorful lights filtering through those stained-glass windows offer a bright and spacious spirituality. In this square where the two great mosques greet each other, the reciprocal recitation of the adhan (double adhan) literally takes the listeners to another realm.
After spiritual fulfillment, it is time to throw off physical fatigue. Sultanahmet Square and its surroundings are full of the most beautiful examples of our culinary culture. It is now a tradition to eat the famous 'Sultanahmet Meatballs' in historical restaurants where alcohol is not served and you can sit comfortably as a family. Then, sitting on the benches in the square or in cafes under the trees and sipping a brewed tea accompanied by freshly roasted chestnuts or fragrant corn bought from street vendors... Centuries-old history in front of you, your loved ones next to you; this is the most peaceful moment in the world! These hours, away from the tourist chaos, where you just enjoy the moment and your family, are much more than a holiday.
When you step into the Historical Peninsula, time almost stops. On one side is the grand Hagia Sophia, the trust of Fatih Sultan Mehmed Khan, on the other is Sultanahmet, the masterpiece of Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, one of Mimar Sinan's students... Let's explore this unique route together.
The trip to Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet is not just a tourist tour; it is a school where we tell our children who we are, our ancestors, and the aesthetic beauty of our belief. To experience this unique spirituality of the Historical Peninsula to the fullest, you don't have to endure evening traffic or long road fatigue. As the HalalWorld.com family, we carefully select alcohol-free, privacy-respecting, and halal-certified boutique hotels within walking distance of this area for you. The taste of performing the morning prayer at Hagia Sophia, returning to your hotel, and having your warm halal breakfast with your family is like nothing else. Do not postpone this blessed city; make your plan and witness history!
