Istanbul History
Discovering Istanbul with its long and rich history that dates back thousands of years. The city has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, and over the centuries, it has been ruled by many different empires and civilizations.
One of the most significant events in Istanbul’s history was the founding of the city of Byzantium in 657 BCE by Greek colonists from Megara. The city was strategically located on the Bosphorus Strait, which made it an important commercial and military center. In 330 CE, the Roman Emperor Constantine I moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium and renamed the city Constantinople.
For the next thousand years, Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, which was known for its artistic and cultural achievements. In 1453, the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmed II, conquered Constantinople and renamed the city Istanbul. Under Ottoman rule, Istanbul became a center of Islamic culture and architecture.
In the early 20th century, Istanbul became the center of the Turkish Republic, which was established in 1923 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Since then, Istanbul has undergone significant modernization and urbanization, while also preserving its rich cultural heritage.
Today, Istanbul is a bustling and vibrant city that is home to over 15 million people. It remains an important cultural, economic, and historical center, with a unique blend of European and Middle Eastern influences
Istanbul Culture
Istanbul has a rich and diverse culture that reflects its long history and strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The city’s culture is a blend of influences from many different civilizations and empires, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Turkish.
One of the most prominent aspects of Istanbul’s culture is its cuisine, which is known for its rich flavors and variety of dishes. Turkish cuisine is a mix of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian flavors, with dishes like kebabs, meze, and baklava being popular staples. The city is also known for its street food scene, with vendors selling everything from simit (a type of bread) to roasted chestnuts.
Istanbul is also a center of arts and culture, with a thriving arts community that includes traditional and contemporary art, music, and theater. The city is home to many museums, galleries, and performance spaces, including the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, the Pera Museum, and the İstanbul State Opera and Ballet.
Religion also plays an important role in Istanbul’s culture, with many historic mosques and other religious sites located throughout the city. Islam is the predominant religion in Turkey, and Istanbul has many mosques that are famous for their architectural beauty, such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Süleymaniye Mosque.
Finally, Istanbul is known for its hospitality and warm, welcoming culture. The people of Istanbul are friendly and generous, and visitors to the city are often struck by the kindness and hospitality of the locals. All of these aspects combine to make Istanbul a truly unique and vibrant cultural destination.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the country’s economic, cultural, and historical center. It is situated on the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Europe and Asia, and has a population of over 15 million people.
The city has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, and has been ruled by many different empires throughout its history, including the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. This has left a legacy of impressive architecture and historical landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque.
In addition to its historical significance, Istanbul is also known for its vibrant and diverse culture, with a mix of European and Middle Eastern influences. The city is home to a bustling food scene, lively nightlife, and a thriving arts and music community.
Overall, Istanbul is a fascinating destination that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and modernity.
The Mosques In Istanbul
Istanbul is known for its beautiful and historic mosques, many of which are popular tourist attractions. Here are some of the most notable mosques in Istanbul:
- Hagia Sophia: Originally built as a church in the 6th century, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul, with its massive dome and intricate mosaics.
- Blue Mosque: Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in Istanbul. It was built in the early 17th century and is known for its six minarets and stunning blue tiles.
- Süleymaniye Mosque: Built in the 16th century, the Süleymaniye Mosque is located on a hill overlooking the Golden Horn. It was designed by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan and is known for its impressive size and beauty.
- New Mosque: Located in the Eminönü district of Istanbul, the New Mosque was built in the 17th century and is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It is known for its impressive dome and four minarets.
- Fatih Mosque: Built in the 15th century, the Fatih Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Istanbul. It was built by Sultan Mehmed II, who conquered Constantinople in 1453, and is known for its stunning interior decorations.
These are just a few examples of the many beautiful mosques in Istanbul. Each one has its own unique history and architecture, making them well worth a visit for anyone interested in Islamic art and architecture.
We spent the last week in May 2015 in Istanbul. After my visit, the one thing stayed in my mind was the Mosques. If you know there are over 14000 different Mosques in Istanbul, you will understand why they will attract your attention and stay in your mind after you leave the city.
It is over 14000 unique ones, they are all different and none of them look like the others. Some of them are high, some of them is large, and other is small. Each one of them has their own uniqueness and history, do not forget that all of them are attractive structure.
We stayed in Sultan Ahmet area very close to most of the historic places in Istanbul cross street from the Basilica and 2 Major building, Sultan Ahmet (more famous with “The Blue Mosque”) and Aya Sophia Museum. Both are very different, extremely large and wonderful structure (as you seen in my photos).
The Blue Mosque as you see from the name built by no other than Sultan Ahmet himself and completed in 1016.
Every Mosque must have at least one minaret (The sultan allowed four minarets princes and princesses allowed two minarets; others allowed only one) and one dome but most of them have more the one minaret so imagine the number of minarets in Istanbul skyline which included over 14000 mosques.
The Blue Mosque alone has 6 large minarets, one main dome and 8 secondary domes.
Aya Sophia museum, another great structure famous with extremely large dome located a cross from Sultan Ahmet Mosque.
Aya Sophia originally built as a Greece Christian patriarchal church at year 547 then becomes imperial mosque at 1453 by order of Sultan Mohamed II after adding four minarets and altered the original artwork from Christian to Islamic, then change to a museum at 1935 to become one of the most visited museums in Turkey.
One of the other large mosques that we visited was the suleymaniye mosque.
Istanbul called the city with the seven hills. Looking at Istanbul skyline you have to understand the city is famous with their seven hills and you need to visit each one of them in order to see most of the old part in Istanbul.
On the third hill after walked through a very narrow and steep streets full with all kind of stores that sells every thing you can imagine we arrived to our destination, which was the Suleymaniya mosque. It was large (The Suleymaniya mosque is largest of Istanbul 14000 mosque).
As the name said, it is built by Sultan Suleyman and completed on 1558, there are one large dome and too many small ones next it famous 4 minarets.
What you need to visit in Istanbul
There are many things to see and do in Istanbul, a city that is rich in history, culture, and beauty. Here are some of the top attractions that you should consider visiting:
- Hagia Sophia: This iconic monument was built in the 6th century as a church, later converted into a mosque, and now a museum. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and architecture.
- Topkapi Palace: The former residence of the Ottoman sultans, Topkapi Palace is now a museum that offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Ottoman court.
- Blue Mosque: Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this 17th-century mosque is famous for its six minarets and stunning blue tiles.
- Grand Bazaar: One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar is a shopper’s paradise with over 4,000 shops selling everything from jewelry to spices.
- Bosphorus Cruise: Take a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait to see Istanbul from a different perspective and admire the city’s beautiful skyline.
- Spice Bazaar: This colorful market is a sensory experience, with vendors selling a variety of spices, dried fruits, and sweets.
- Galata Tower: Built in the 14th century, Galata Tower offers stunning views of Istanbul from its observation deck.
- Taksim Square: A bustling commercial and cultural hub in Istanbul, Taksim Square is home to many restaurants, cafes, and shops, as well as the famous Istiklal Street.
These are just a few examples of the many things to see and do in Istanbul. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture, there is something for everyone in this fascinating city.