Footsteps of Dan Brown in Istanbul

Updated on 2013-12-06

Daily Program

The story of Dan Brown’s latest novel, “Inferno”, at the top of the bestsellers lists everywhere, is partially takes place in Istanbul. Up to a certain point in the novel, Iconographer Robert Langdon keeps saying “We’re in the wrong country” numerous times to Sienna Brooks, who gallops along with him around the three favorite tourist destinations in Europe in this latest adventure. The story begins in Venice and slowly shifts its focus from this initial location to Florence. Readers learn soon enough that the third and definitive city of Inferno is Istanbul.

 

Meet your private guide today to start following Dan Brown’s footsteps in Istanbul. Your tour will begin from Istanbul Archeological Museum for a quick journey through the city’s history before moving on to the first real setting in Inferno, Basilica of Hagia Sophia. The basilica is considered the eighth wonder of the world and Robert Langdon seemed to agree. Basilica of Hagia Sophia is one of the largest Christian shrines ever built in history. Adorned with rich mosaic murals, colossal columns and exposition of divine serenity, Saint Sophia is a true world heritage that has accommodated various faiths throughout the different periods of history and is currently operated as a museum displaying Byzantine art and architecture embellished by Ottoman taste.

 

The novel leaps on to another one of Istanbul’s most visited sites, Underground Cistern. The more you listen to the in-depth lectures of your private guide today, the more you will comprehend the priorities the administrators of Constantinople had to execute to ensure that the city continues its existence in safety against external threats. Located just a few steps away from the Hagia Sophia, the professor mistakenly takes this ordinary entrance to be the entrance of an underground music hall, but it leads the characters to the impressive 6th century structure. As a city that was defended by its “inaccessible” fortifications, Constantinople needed to have endless water supplies to enable its inhabitants to resist sieges. To serve this purpose, a large number of underground water reservoirs were built through various neighborhoods of the city such as the Underground Cistern known by the locals as the Sunken Cistern. The impressive structure built in 6^th century with 336 columns erected upwards underneath the streets running through the Old City to constitute ample space to store water, is now operating as a venue for cultural activities besides attracting visitors as a unique museum. Two of the most interesting features of the structure, which the mysterious clues lead Langdon to, are the Medusa heads used as plinths on the southwestern end of the cistern. One rests on its side whilst the other is placed upside down, supposedly to rob the Monster of his powers to turn onlookers into stone.

Notes

Our rate includes transportation by deluxe air-conditioned minivan, a professional English-speaking guide, site admissions and parking fees.

 

Additional Details/Reminders:

Tour Departure Time: 1.00 pm

This tour involves moderate walking.

Please note that this tour is not operated on Mondays.

 

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