Freemasons' Istanbul – In the Footsteps of the Master Builders (Full Day)

Here a Byzantine princess set out to rebuild Solomon's Temple in royal cubits. Here Emperor Justinian is said to have cried: “Solomon, I have surpassed thee!” A tour for brethren and sisters, for seekers and for everyone who wants to read symbols – unique in this form in Istanbul.

Highlights

• Solomon's Temple in Constantinople: the Church of St Polyeuctus (524–527), built to the biblical measurements of the Temple – with pomegranates, lilies and palms as on the pillars Jachin and Boaz
• “Solomon, I have surpassed thee!” – Hagia Sophia as a temple, with the Omphalion, the emperors' mosaic coronation pavement
• Obelisk and column: the Egyptian obelisk of Thutmose III and the Serpent Column from Delphi in the Hippodrome
• The cistern of 336 columns – an underground temple of light and water
• Mimar Sinan, the Hiram Abiff of the Ottomans: builders' lodges, guilds and masons' marks at the Süleymaniye
• Galata and Pera: the world of the 19th-century lodges, the Young Ottomans and a sultan said to have been a Freemason
• Symbols in stone at the historic Feriköy Protestant Cemetery (since 1859)

Full description

We meet the master-builder ideal of Hiram Abiff in the work of the great Mimar Sinan, step onto the emperors' mosaic pavement and stand before obelisk and column as before Jachin and Boaz. In the afternoon we head to Galata and Pera, where lodges of Levantines, diplomats and Ottoman reformers worked in the 19th century.

We stay on solid historical ground and interpret the symbolism with respect. Active lodge buildings and temples are not open to the public – we show places, history and signs in the cityscape. No prior knowledge is needed.

There are no shopping stops with us. Beware of cheap offers financed by sales commissions in carpet, jewellery or leather shops.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• Hippodrome
  Obelisk and Serpent Column – an introduction to the symbolic language of the day.
• Hagia Sophia
  Justinian's contest with Solomon, measure and geometry of the building, the Omphalion.
• Basilica Cistern
  A forest of columns, Medusa heads and the “weeping column” – a place of stillness.
• St Polyeuctus in Saraçhane
  A church built to the measurements of Solomon's Temple, in royal cubits.
• Süleymaniye
  Mimar Sinan, the Ottoman builders' lodges and the master's tomb.
• Galata and Pera
  Quarter of Levantines, embassies and lodges; Namık Kemal, Şinasi and Prince Murad, later Sultan Murad V.
• Feriköy
  Protestant cemetery with gravestones full of symbolism (subject to access on the day).

Included

• 7 hours with a private, state-licensed guide from our team in your language
• Private vehicle with driver for the whole day, including pick-up and return
• Tickets bought at the guides' counters – no queuing (if entrance fees are paid in advance)
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day
• Headsets for groups of 16 or more

Not included

• Entrance fees (e.g. Hagia Sophia €27.50 per person) and voluntary donations
• Lunch and drinks
• Personal expenses, tips
• Shopping stops of any kind – expressly not included

Meeting point

We pick you up at your hotel in the city or at the Galataport cruise terminal. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Price: €540 for 1–3 people – guiding (€300) and vehicle with driver (€240) included. Each additional person: +€10 guiding and +€10 vehicle.

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Comfortable shoes – Lots of cobblestones in the old town, uphill and downhill.
• Dress code in mosques – Shoulders and knees covered, ladies with headscarf. Scarves are available at the entrance.
• Fridays – We visit mosques only after the noon prayer and adjust the order.