Crusaders in Constantinople – from the First Crusade to the Sack of 1204
- Private tour
- Full day, approx. 7 hours
- Byzantium & the Crusades
- Hagia Sophia
- No shopping stops
- Duration
- approx. 7 hours
- Price
- from €300 for up to 3 people
- Languages
- Tours in 25 languages
- Ends
- in Galata
Highlights
- Hagia Sophia: coronation of Baldwin of Flanders in 1204 and the tomb slab of Doge Enrico Dandolo in the gallery
- Hippodrome: where the bronze horses stood that now adorn St Mark's in Venice – and the Walled Obelisk, stripped of its bronze plates by the Crusaders
- Boukoleon Palace: ruins of the imperial residence seized by Boniface of Montferrat
- Kalenderhane Mosque: once a Latin church – home to the oldest known fresco cycle of St Francis
- Pantokrator Monastery (Zeyrek): the Venetian centre of Latin rule, scene of notorious thefts of relics and icons
- Fener/Petrion: the sea walls where the decisive assault of 12 April 1204 broke through
- Blachernae & Tekfur Sarayı: the imperial palace before which the knights of the First Crusade camped as early as 1097
- Galata: the Crusader camp of 1203, the storming of the chain tower of the Golden Horn and the Gothic Arap Mosque, originally a Dominican church
Description
Three times Crusader armies passed through Constantinople – as allies, as distrusted guests and, in 1204, finally as conquerors. We follow in their footsteps from Hagia Sophia, where a Flemish count was crowned Latin Emperor, to the sea walls on the Golden Horn that Venetian ships stormed in April 1204.
A tour about faith, power and betrayal – and about an event that still divides Christendom today. We close with reconciliation: in 2004, 800 years after the sack, Pope John Paul II asked for forgiveness and returned relics to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Your private, licensed tour guide accompanies your group alone. As a matter of principle, we never include shopping stops – no carpet shops, no jewellers, no commission-driven detours.
What we will see
Morning – The Spoils
- HippodromeThe four bronze horses of the quadriga were taken to Venice in 1204. The Crusaders tore the gilded bronze plates from the Walled Obelisk.
- Boukoleon PalaceThe sea façade of the imperial residence seized by Boniface of Montferrat in 1204.
- Hagia SophiaHere Baldwin of Flanders was crowned Latin Emperor in 1204. The gallery holds the tomb slab of the Venetian Doge Enrico Dandolo.
Midday – Latin Rule 1204–1261
- Kalenderhane MosqueOnce a Latin church – home to the oldest known fresco cycle of St Francis of Assisi.
- Pantokrator Monastery (Zeyrek)The Venetian centre of Latin rule, scene of notorious thefts of relics and icons.
Afternoon – The Assault
- Sea walls on the Golden Horn (Fener/Petrion)Here, on 12 April 1204, the decisive assault by Venetian ships broke through.
- BlachernaeThe imperial palace before which the knights of the First Crusade camped as early as 1097.
- Tekfur SarayıThe city's only surviving Byzantine palace building, now a museum.
Finale – The Knights' Camp
- GalataThe Crusader camp of 1203 and the storming of the chain tower that closed off the Golden Horn.
- Arap MosqueA Gothic building, originally a Dominican church – a testament to the Latins in Galata.
Your tour guide will agree the exact order of the visits with you.
Included
- Private, licensed tour guide in the language booked, approx. 7 hours
- Headsets for groups of 16 or more
- Planning of the day and ticket purchase at the guides' ticket desks with full prepayment
Not included
- Admission fees (Hagia Sophia €27.50 per person, Tekfur Sarayı and others)
- Vehicle with driver (recommended, available as an add-on)
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
Meeting point
We meet you at your hotel in the Old City or at the Galataport cruise terminal. If you book a vehicle, we collect you from your hotel in the city centre. The tour ends in Galata – ideal for cruise passengers. We confirm the exact meeting time with your booking.
Important information
- Hagia Sophia: shoulders and knees must be covered; ladies are asked to wear a headscarf.
- Mosques cannot be visited during prayer times. We plan the day accordingly.
- We recommend the vehicle with driver, as the sites are located in different districts of the city.
- Beware of bargain offers: many cheap tours are financed by sales commissions from carpet and jewellery shops. With us, there are no shopping stops – without exception.
Deposit, cancellation and payment
- 30 % deposit on booking via PayPal or credit/debit card, the balance in cash on the day of the tour.
- The Museum Pass Istanbul must be paid in full on booking and is non-refundable.
- Cancellation fees: up to 30 days before 30 %, 29–15 days 50 %, 14–7 days 75 %, 6–1 days and no-show 100 %.
- Rebooking is subject to a fee.
- We recommend taking out travel insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the private Crusaders tour in Istanbul cost?
The tour costs €300 for up to three people. Each additional person costs €10, children aged 3 to 12 €8, infants €5. A vehicle with driver, the Museum Pass and a private Bosphorus boat tour can be added.
Which Crusade sites will we see in Istanbul?
The Hippodrome, Boukoleon Palace, Hagia Sophia with the tomb slab of Doge Dandolo, Kalenderhane Mosque, the Pantokrator Monastery, the sea walls on the Golden Horn, Blachernae, Tekfur Sarayı and Galata with the Arap Mosque.
Are admission fees included in the price?
No. Admission fees are paid separately; for Hagia Sophia, please allow €27.50 per person.
Are there any shopping stops?
No, without exception. Carpet, jewellery and leather businesses are not part of our tours.
Is the tour suitable for cruise passengers?
Yes. We meet you at Galataport, and the tour ends in Galata.
What happened in Constantinople in 1204?
During the Fourth Crusade, Crusaders and Venetians conquered and sacked the Christian capital of Byzantium. A Latin Empire existed here until 1261. In 2004, Pope John Paul II asked for forgiveness for these events.