Photos: Antonio Cristofaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Chris06, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 1177 author, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo credits
Photos: Antonio Cristofaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Chris06, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 1177 author, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Zeyrek's Byzantine church among wooden houses
Your local guide
Hakan Çelebi
View profile
Highlights
- A Byzantine church turned mosque
- Original brickwork, still visible
- Wooden houses climbing a quiet hill
- A layout unchanged by the city around it
- Byzantine history away from the crowds
About this tour
This session stops at Zeyrek's former Byzantine church, converted to a mosque centuries ago, and the wooden houses climbing the hill around it. You see the building's original brickwork, still visible despite later changes, and a neighbourhood layout that has stayed largely the same. Hakan explains how this small hilltop pocket survived while so much around it changed.
The call opens with a sound check at the church exterior, then climbs the hill through the wooden houses. Hakan answers questions about the building's history and sends a short note afterwards on its conversion.
This suits anyone interested in Byzantine architecture away from Hagia Sophia's crowds. It also pairs well with a session in nearby Fener or Vefa.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Istanbul before heading out.
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Church exterior 21 min
The camera stands before the former Byzantine church at Zeyrek, converted to a mosque centuries ago, and Hakan explains how its brickwork gives away its original construction.
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Wooden houses 21 min
You see wooden houses climbing the hill around the church, and Hakan points out how the neighbourhood's layout has stayed largely unchanged despite the city growing around it.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Istanbul: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Turkish delight (lokum) and Kadıköy, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Istanbul time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Istanbul, showing you Church exterior and Wooden houses live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We connect on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Zeyrek live with my phone.
Times shown in Istanbul time (GMT+3)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Sat 31 Oct · 10 seats left From 21,00 €
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