Barceló Eresin Topkapi Turkey

CULTURAL VISITS: Sultanahmet (Hippodrome) square: old scene of horse racing and cars in what once was the center of life in Byzantium. We can see the Egyptian obelisk and the serpentine column, which were originally brought by the emperors for the decoration of the Racecourse. On the other side of the racetrack the German source still works. Topkapi Palace, the Ottoman Empire was governed from this Palace for 380 years. Built in 1470, it was transformed in Museum almost 80 years ago, and in it we can find important sacred relics of the Muslim world, including coat and the sword of the Prophet Muhammad. Topkapi Palace is among the monuments in the historic areas of Istanbul, which became heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 1985. Open every day except Thursday between 09:00-19:00. Hagia Sophia is the former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later was used as a mosque, and is now a museum. Since its opening, in the year 360, until 1453 served as the Orthodox patriarchal Cathedral, except between 1204 and 1261, when it became a Catholic Cathedral. Hagia Sophia was mosque from 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on February 1, 1935. Open daily between 09:30-16:30 hours except Mondays. The Blue Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Although still used as mosque,It has become a great tourist attraction. It takes its name from the mosaics that decorate its interior, color blue, and is the only mosque in Istanbul with 6 minarets, along with 8 domes and a higher principal. Open from Monday to Sunday. Suleiman the magnificent mosque was constructed by order of sultan Süleyman (Süleyman the magnificent), who was lucky to be able to take advantage of the talent of the architectural genius of Sinan. Construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was completed in 1558. It is open from Monday to Sunday Basilica Cistern: Underground Roman cistern, built in the 6th century to supply water to the city. It is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that still beneath the city of Istanbul: measures 143 by 65 meters, with a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water. Open daily between 09:30-18:30 hours The Grand Bazaar, one of the largest in the world with more than 4,000 shops covered markets. Well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, leather and carpet shops. Open every day between 8:30-19:00 hours, except on Sundays The Spice Bazaar is the second largest Bazaar of Istanbul and home to countless spices and food vendors. Open every day between 10:00-18:00 hours.