Across time, Istanbul (once named Constantinople) has served as the capital of the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman Empires: the city's impressive heritage is on display and has been magnificently preserved.
From its famous mosques and churches (the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Cami, and Hagia Sophia), through palaces (The Topkapi and Dolmbahce), and on to the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul is one memorable excursion after another.
See Our Istanbul Travel Guide for details and photos of the many attractions in this spectacular city.
Istanbul, Turkey's largest city (its population is estimated at approximately fifteen million), is divided by the Bosporus, an 18 mile long, narrow channel that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Mamara. The western shore of the Bosporus marks the eastern edge of Europe while its eastern shore marks the beginning of Asia, the world's largest continent. The majority of Istanbul's population resides on the European side of the city and this is, also, where you will find the attractions of interest to most travelers.
Istanbul is a city of aliases. It was known as Constantinople when it was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, although originally it was called Byzantium. In1453 Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans and, eventually, was renamed Istanbul. Mehmet the Conqueror made the city the new capital of the Ottoman Empire (replacing Edirne) and Istanbul became the home of the most powerful Islamic empire in world history.
After reaching its peak power in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Ottoman dynasty slowly deteriorated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was abolished in 1922 after the war of Turkish Independence. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who led the victorious forces in the War of Independence, is regarded as the “father of modern Turkey” and remains a popular historical figure for the Turkish people to this day. He moved the capital for Turkey to Ankara and it was not until the 1950's that Istanbul regained its global importance.
From Viator Tours
The majority of the celebrated antiquities of Istanbul are found on the “European” or western side of the Bosporus and concentrated to the south of the famous "Golden Horn", an 8 km (4.8 miles) long, natural port located on a deep, freshwater estuary.
There is some debate as to whether the name of the Golden Horn derives from the shape of the estuary or the fertile soil and abundant fishing that was associated with this area in the past. Although modern boats can dock here with ease, in Byzantine times the entrance to the Golden Horn was blocked by a chain that was used to deny access to enemies or those in disfavor with the emperor.
The Golden horn separates the Old City (Sultanahmet) from the more modern Beyoglu. You will want to spend the majority of your time in the Old City, but you will find that major shopping areas, many great restaurants and the Dolmbahce Palace are to the north across the Galata Bridge in Beyoglu.
Travel using conventional taxi’s or water taxis. Istanbul is a great town for walking but the different sections of the city are far apart. Do not hesitate to grab a taxi when the day grows hot or the distance to walk back to your hotel is too long. Eventually you are going to want to see the eastern side of the city and a water taxi is just the ticket.
Arriving in Istanbul is accompanied by sensory overload, as it is truly the place where East meets West. If you arrive by boat, the view from the docks is a feast for the eyes, as the combination of architectural styles assault the senses.
While one expects mosques to abound in Istanbul, the profile of the Old City, dominated by massive domes and minarets reaching for the sky, is spectacular. It is hard to arrive in Istanbul from the sea, without feeling that you have arrived at a place of significant historic and modern importance.
See Our Istanbul Travel Guide for details and photos of the many attractions in this spectacular city.
Istanbul, Turkey's largest city (its population is estimated at approximately fifteen million), is divided by the Bosporus, an 18 mile long, narrow channel that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Mamara. The western shore of the Bosporus marks the eastern edge of Europe while its eastern shore marks the beginning of Asia, the world's largest continent. The majority of Istanbul's population resides on the European side of the city and this is, also, where you will find the attractions of interest to most travelers.
Istanbul is a city of aliases. It was known as Constantinople when it was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, although originally it was called Byzantium. In1453 Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans and, eventually, was renamed Istanbul. Mehmet the Conqueror made the city the new capital of the Ottoman Empire (replacing Edirne) and Istanbul became the home of the most powerful Islamic empire in world history.
After reaching its peak power in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Ottoman dynasty slowly deteriorated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was abolished in 1922 after the war of Turkish Independence. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who led the victorious forces in the War of Independence, is regarded as the “father of modern Turkey” and remains a popular historical figure for the Turkish people to this day. He moved the capital for Turkey to Ankara and it was not until the 1950's that Istanbul regained its global importance.
From Viator Tours
The majority of the celebrated antiquities of Istanbul are found on the “European” or western side of the Bosporus and concentrated to the south of the famous "Golden Horn", an 8 km (4.8 miles) long, natural port located on a deep, freshwater estuary.
There is some debate as to whether the name of the Golden Horn derives from the shape of the estuary or the fertile soil and abundant fishing that was associated with this area in the past. Although modern boats can dock here with ease, in Byzantine times the entrance to the Golden Horn was blocked by a chain that was used to deny access to enemies or those in disfavor with the emperor.
The Golden horn separates the Old City (Sultanahmet) from the more modern Beyoglu. You will want to spend the majority of your time in the Old City, but you will find that major shopping areas, many great restaurants and the Dolmbahce Palace are to the north across the Galata Bridge in Beyoglu.
Travel using conventional taxi’s or water taxis. Istanbul is a great town for walking but the different sections of the city are far apart. Do not hesitate to grab a taxi when the day grows hot or the distance to walk back to your hotel is too long. Eventually you are going to want to see the eastern side of the city and a water taxi is just the ticket.
Arriving in Istanbul is accompanied by sensory overload, as it is truly the place where East meets West. If you arrive by boat, the view from the docks is a feast for the eyes, as the combination of architectural styles assault the senses.
While one expects mosques to abound in Istanbul, the profile of the Old City, dominated by massive domes and minarets reaching for the sky, is spectacular. It is hard to arrive in Istanbul from the sea, without feeling that you have arrived at a place of significant historic and modern importance.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder