Sword Training in a 1,600-Year-Old Cistern
- 1.7–2 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Imagine stepping into an underground hall that feels like a scene from an epic fantasy adventure — ancient columns disappearing into the shadows, swords in your hands, and a sword master waiting to train you. But this isn't a movie set. It's Istanbul. And the place is real. Beneath the city, inside a centuries-old Byzantine cistern, you'll leave the ordinary sightseeing route behind and enter the world of warriors. You'll discover the stories behind historic swords, learn how to hold and move with a blade, practice attacks and defenses, and gradually prepare for your final challenge. Then comes the moment you've been training for: your own sword duel beneath the ancient columns. No glass display cases. No watching history from a distance. Here, you become part of the story. For a short while, Istanbul won't feel like a city you're visiting. It will feel like you've stepped into another world.
Inclusions
What's included
- Entrance fee
- Swords are provided by us
Itinerary
We will train like a warrior in 1600 years old cistern
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 56
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 6 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Our meeting point is 5-6 minutes from famous landmarks like Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia and very close to Sultanahmet tram stop
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- New Istanbul Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
How it compares in Istanbul
- Its from-price is 31% below the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istanbul.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 1199 of 3649.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Istanbul
Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, busy bazaars and ferries crossing between continents.
The historic peninsula holds the greatest landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome face each other in Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern lies beneath the streets, and Topkapı Palace spreads across the hill above the Golden Horn. A short walk away, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar have traded for centuries, and Süleymaniye Mosque, built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, crowns one of the city's seven hills.
Top-ranked sights in Istanbul: Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi), Bosphorus, Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu).
Special offers in Istanbul
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
