DECEMBER 1ST: THE TALISMANS OF ISTANBUL AND THE CHURCH OF THE FIRST OF THE MONTH

Our tour begins at the Church of the First of the Month. After making wishes at the shrine known as the Holy Spring of the Virgin Mary and listening to our guide's explanations, we will walk through the streets to see the Green Stone, erected by Mimar Sinan and marking the center of Istanbul, and then visit the famous Vefa Boza shop. Following this, we will explore the former Pantakrator Church, where we will see the fountain hidden beneath a building, a fountain that once adorned the streets of Zeyrek. We will then visit the Istanbul Talismans, including the Column of Theodosius, believed to protect the city from disease, the mysterious three columns in Sultanahmet Square, and the tomb of Sheikh Bedrettin, one of history's most extraordinary figures, hidden away in the city's corners, learning about his identity through the words of Nazım Hikmet. Our final stop will be the Amulet of Constantine, bringing our tour to a close.