Byzantine & Ottoman Türkiye | March 2026

Our exploration of northwest Türkiye offers an in-depth look at the country's complex history, uncovering its many layers from the Palaeolithic era to the golden age of the Ottoman Empire. We will trace the country's rich historical narrative, illuminated through fascinating ancient artefacts, extraordinary architecture and the vibrant cultural heritage left behind by the Bronze Age, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, as well as its more modern influences, including visits to the 19th century Beylerbeyi Palace, which blends European Neo-Baroque influences with traditional Ottoman interior design, and ANZAC Cove, the Gallipoli landing site that helped to shape the modern state.

Under Byzantine rule, Türkiye saw increased prosperity. In Istanbul, the Kariye Mosque, formerly a Byzantine church, is renowned for its exceptional late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. Meanwhile, Hagia Sophia was once the cathedral of Constantinople and showcases striking Byzantine remnants. After the city fell in 1453, it was transformed into a mosque with minarets, demonstrating a fusion of Byzantine and Ottoman architectural styles.

During the reign of Selim I and Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Empire's global influence grew, indicated by the numerous monuments built by the illustrious chief architect Mimar Sinan, ranging from grandiose mosques to madrasas and bridges.

Commanding extensive views of the city from its location on the Third Hill, Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest Ottoman-era mosque, the burial location of Suleiman the Magnificent, and is considered one of Sinan’s most famous works. Meanwhile, the smaller 16th century Şehzade Mosque will captivate us with its beautiful domes and striking symmetrical design. One of the earliest of Sinan’s works, it was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent for his son.

Topkapi Sarayi, Istanbul’s large museum and library, further showcases the Ottoman influence and strength. Functioning as the royal and administrative centre for the Ottoman Empire, it now houses a collection of important artefacts, including clothing, weapons and manuscripts.

Bursa, the initial Ottoman capital, is notably rich in Ottoman heritage. Here, we will survey the early Ottoman style of the Yeşil Camii complex, which includes the ‘Green Mosque’, madrassa, public kitchen and bathhouse. Additionally, we will visit Ulu Camii, Bursa's largest mosque and another prime example of early Ottoman architecture.

The second capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne’s streets are lined with magnificent Ottoman structures, including the 15th-century Bayezid II complex with its medical facilities, the Üç Şerefeli Mosque with its distinctive minaret and Sinan's masterpiece, the Selimiye Mosque. Subject to its reopening, we hope to visit this famous site – characterised by a striking dome, elaborate exterior decorations of Quranic verses, Iznik tiles and calligraphy dominate the skyline, demonstrating the empire's power and Sinan's architectural expertise, blending Islamic, Byzantine and Persian influences.

A visit to Iznik will help us to appreciate the craftsmanship of many decorative features at these monuments. Situated on the site of the ancient city of Nicaea, Iznik was founded in 316 BCE as a Hellenistic city. One of the most important urban centres, it was a major military and administrative centre in the Byzantine period, with its ringed walls standing as a testament to its status. Under Ottoman rule, Iznik was known for producing the distinctive blue tiles incorporated into so many Ottoman structures.

While this tour primarily focuses on Byzantine and Ottoman culture, we will also explore the country's ancient past. The UNESCO-listed city of Troy was first settled in 3600 BCE before becoming a fortified city around 3000 BCE. This ancient site endured a tumultuous history of destruction and reconstruction from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages to the Classical period, resulting in a stunning variety of remains. Troy II is particularly noted for its abundance of wealth and architecture; meanwhile, VIII and IX illuminate links to the city's mythic past, including the Trojan War featured in the Iliad. Additionally, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum houses artefacts from the Bronze Age, Hellenistic, Roman and Turkish periods, including the Sarcophagus of Alexander and the peace treaty between Egypt and the Hittites after the Battle of Kadesh. Exploring these collections will provide a comprehensive view of Türkiye's diverse history and progress.

We will stay in four carefully selected, comfortable hotels in the key cities of Istanbul, Bursa, Çanakkale and Edirne. While some hotels may be more basic, they are clean, welcoming and well located to provide convenient access to our visits.

This tour will be led by Ian Colvin, an expert in the late Roman and Byzantine history of the Caucasus regions. Ian has extensive experience leading tours to Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and the southern Balkans. He moved to the University of Cambridge in the 2000s to become a researcher with the Cambridge School Classics Project. In 2001 Ian established an archaeological excavation at Nokalakevi in Georgia in collaboration with the Georgian National Museum, which continues training students and investigating sites in Western Georgia to this day. Among his current scholarly projects is the Rustaveli Foundation-funded History of Egrisi.