istanbul, turkey arrive: tuesday 20 july 0800 depart - University of ...

IST25 BOSPHORUS MOTORBOAT EXCURSION (1300-1700 Thursday, 22 July) Minimum 32/No
Maximum (PRICE: $43)
Historically, the narrow body of water between Istanbul and the Black Sea has been a major dividing line between
East and West. It is also of great commercial and strategic significance. This trip will provide a leisurely
examination of the contrasting architectural styles of each side of the waterway. Board a motorboat in the Golden
Horn and cruise along the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus. En route, view the Galata Bridge,
Dolmabahçe Palace, Ciragan Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, Ortakoy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, villas, summer
houses, the European and Asian Fortresses, and Conqueror’s Bridge. A short stop will be made at the Sadberk
Hanim Museum, a private collection of Turkish art and antiquity. Return to the city by motorcoach.
IST26 CHRISTIAN TRADITION IN TURKEY (1400-1800 Thursday, 22 July) Minimum 21/No Maximum
(PRICE: $33)
The ancient Greek city of Byzantium was enlarged and formally christened “New Rome” in 330 by Emperor
Constantine. As the Western half of the Roman Empire crumbled, Constantinople was developing into a major
power bridging the cultures of the East and West. The Byzantine (Orthodox) Church dominated religious and
cultural life and was involved in the political operation of the city. The patriarch of Constantinople had a position
analogous to that of the Pope in Rome. Relations between the Eastern and Western branches of the church were
undermined by Rome’s claims of primacy, an edict forbidding image worship, and the order to remove all religious
statues and to white-wash the walls of the church. These factors and the crusades contributed to the eventual
separation of the papacy in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East.
This trip explores the role of Christianity in Turkey. You will visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate at Fener and
the Turkish Orthodox Church, where you will talk with clergy. Later, you will see the Church of Chora (fourth
century), which was restored by the American Byzantine Institute and houses remarkable mosaics and frescoes
depicting the lives of Mary and Jesus. Continue to the Beyoglu district of the city where you will visit the Roman
Catholic Church of San Antonio and learn about the existing church and its status within a Muslim country.
IST27 MILITARY MUSEUM & MEHTER BAND (1400-1800 Thursday, 22 July) Minimum 21/No
Maximum (PRICE: $36)
Depart the pier for a short drive and visit to the Military Museum. View items dating from the era of the Conquest
of Istanbul, such as a large collection of armor, weapons, tents, paintings, photographs, and a piece of the chain used
by the Byzantines in order to protect the Golden Horn. Afterward, enjoy the performances of Mehter. During the
battles, the Mehter (the name given to Ottoman Military Band) would create a tremendous noise with mounted
timpani, horns and bagpipes as the Ottomans marched through the Balkans into Central Europe. When retreating
from the battles, they left many of their instruments behind, and these eventually found their way into the
orchestrations of such illustrious composers as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and even John Phillip Sousa. After the
performance continue to Pera Museum, the historical building of the former Bristol hotel built in 1893 at Tepebaşı.
Following restoration, Pera Museum was transformed into a modern cultural center. The museum displays various
rich and private art collections. Afterward, walk to Grand London Hotel to enjoy a cup of Turkish Tea. Continue to
the main street of Istanbul, Istiklal Street, to enjoy the rhythm and sounds of Istanbul.
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