Istanbul
Istanbul is a diverse city with a long and rich history. Over the past 3,500 years, it has been ruled by three of the worlds’ mightiest empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. And each left a distinct impression on the city in terms of people, culture, religion and architecture.
It’s an exotic city with one foot in Europe, the other in Asia. Yet it’s comfortable and welcoming. The perfect experience for visitors from the west.
As the largest city in Turkey, Istanbul is the country’s financial and cultural center. This year, it will showcase itself to the rest of the world as a European Capital of Culture. That means Istanbul is sure to be at its best when we visit in 2011.
Ten Interesting Facts About Istanbul
- Like Rome, Istanbul was built on seven hills.
- Istanbul is the only city in the world located both in Europe and Asia.
- Istanbul is one of the world’s largest cities with over 13 million people.
- In 1502, Istanbul was the most crowded city in the world. It was replaced by London in 1840.
- Istanbul has the third oldest subway system in the world built in 1875. (The London subway was built in 1863 and the New York subway in 1868.)
- Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is the largest covered bazaar in the world with over 3,000 shops.
- Four bronze horses, which today decorate San Marco Cathedral in Venice, were taken from Istanbul by the Crusaders in the 13th century.
- During the Middle Ages, Istanbul had more than 1,400 public toilets while the palaces in France and other European cities had none.
- Agatha Christie wrote her famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express, in Istanbul.
- Istanbul’s Blue Mosque is the only mosque in the city with six minarets – the maximum number a mosque can have.
Source: www.greatistanbul.com/diduknow.htm
Istanbul’s Top 10 Places to Visit
According to Eyewitness Travel Guide, there are hundreds of places to visit in Istanbul, from mosques, churches, palaces and museums to bazaars, Turkish baths and parks. Here are their top ten:
- Topkapi Palace – Constructed shortly after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Topkapi Palace was the residence of Sultan Mehmet II and the seat of government until the 16th century. It was opened to the public in 1924.
- Blue Mosque – The Blue Mosque is one of the most famous religious buildings in the world. Commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I in 1609, it takes its name from the blue Iznik tile work.
- Archaeological Museum – It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that assembly of artifacts from the Ottoman Empire began in earnest. Today, Istanbul’s Archaeological Museum houses one of the world’s richest classical and pre-classical collections.
- Dolmabahce Palace – Built in 1856 for Sultan Abdui Mecit, this opulent palace sits on the waterfront at the Bosphorus. A series of ornate gates allowed the Sultan to enter the palace from his imperial barge.
- Basilica Cistern – This vast underground water cistern is a feat of Byzantine engineering commissioned by the Emperor Justinian in 532. Following the Ottoman conquest in 1453, the existence of the cistern went undetected for 100 years.
- Suleymaniye Mosque – Considered Istanbul’s most important mosque, this complex provided a hospital, soup kitchen and school for Istanbul’s poor.
- Haghia Sophia – Known as the “church of holy wisdom,” this 6th century Byzantine structure is among the world’s greatest architectural achievements. It was converted into a mosque during the 15th century.
- The Bosphorus Strait – There’s no better way to see Istanbul than from the strait that divides the city. Ferries take passengers up and down the Bosphorus, stopping along the way for shopping and sightseeing.
- Grand Bazaar – Established by Sultan Mehmet II in 1453, the Grand Bazaar is a labyrinth of streets containing more than 3,000 shops, booths, restaurants and cafes. It’s where visitors flock to buy goods from across Turkey and Asia.
- Church of St Saviour in Chora – Possibly once located in a rural setting (“in Chora” means in the country), this church offers some of the finest examples of Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.