“With its rich history, countless historical places and natural beauties, there is a lot to know about Istanbul.”
About Istanbul
Istanbul, with its history of over 8500 years, has been one of the most important metropolises in the world, and it continues to be so. Having served as the capital city of many powerful empires, Istanbul is a treasury of various historical places from different eras. Although there is so much about Istanbul that one can’t claim to know everything about it, there are still some things that everyone should know about Istanbul that may be beneficial when travelling around the city.
History
Although there had been settlers in the area long before, it wasn’t until the Greek Colonists arrived and the area was claimed by a ruler, King Byzas. Known as Byzantium, the city served as the home to King Byzas and his descendants until it was claimed by the Roman Empire.
Byzantium became an important part of the Roman Empire in the 4th century. Under the rule of Constantine the Great, the city later became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, and named as Constantinople.
Having served the Byzantines for over a millennia, Constantinople was then conquered by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The city became the capital city of the Ottoman Empire, and the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled from there for over 450 years.
During all these different eras, each empire and ruler built different structures, and the city today has a great historical heritage, with hundreds of historical places and structures.
Palaces
Having served as the capital city of the Byzantine Empire, followed by the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul is widely known as the city of palaces. There are numerous palaces situated in the city, each of which having a different story and history. Some of the most well-known palaces in Istanbul are:
- Topkapi Palace, built by Sultan Mehmed The Conqueror, in 1465.
- Dolmabahce Palace, built by Sultan Abdulhamid, in 1855.
- Beylerbeyi Palace, built by Sultan Abdulaziz, in 1865.
- Yildiz Palace, built by Sultan Selim the III., in 1807.
Mosques and Churches
Istanbul has some of the most important mosques and churches in history, most of which are still being considered as so. Being home to the main Eastern Orthodox Church as well as some of the oldest mosques such as the Blue Mosque, Istanbul is a very important city for both Christians and Muslims. Below, we will list some of the most important mosques and churches in Istanbul:
- The Blue Mosque
- Suleymaniye Mosque
- Hagia Sophia
- Fatih Mosque
- Camlica Mosque
- Saint Antoine Cathedral
- Church of Saint Benoit
- Saint George’s Cathedral
- Stephan Church
- Aya Triada
Tourist Attractions
There are numerous tourist attractions in Istanbul, such as historical places, natural beauties and more. While some of these tourist attractions draw attention with their rich history, others shine with their beautiful views. Some of the most popular of these tourist attractions in Istanbul are:
- Galata Tower
- The Maiden’s Tower
- Rumelihisari / Bogazkesen Fortress
- Bosphorus
- Kadikoy Square
- Grand Bazaar
- Istiklal Street
One of the most entertaining and beautiful activities to do in Istanbul is a Bosphorus Tour. You can book your Bosphorus Tour with Istanbool Tour, which is one of the most preferred and reliable Bosphorus Tour organizers, right now by clicking here, or contacting us at (+905426251425) via WhatsApp.
