HISTORY & SIGHTSEEING

istanbul history & sightseeing


Istanbul is an old city, you can see the remains of many ancient civilizations and their culture in harmony with Turkish culture. The old versus the new, the traditional versus the modern is a conflict a visitor often observes. The city is full of contrasts, and colorful views, Where the blowing winds from the seven peaks of Anatolian Olympos merge into each other... Where Amazon's cooled their bodies in the waves that break apart from the Black Sea and roll mightily against the shore ... Where love is symbolized in the Tower of Leandros ... Where stand the rocks of Symplegad that brought nightmares to the Argonauts ... Built on seven hills on Asia and Europe ... Capital of three empires ... Where romance and traffic jam go hand in hand ... Lively and exciting ... A world metropolis ... That is Istanbul ... Would you like us to guide you through this legendary city? For the ones who live here, for the occasional visitors and for those of you who are entering it for the first time - whichever aspect of this city you want to experience, we will help you to reach it easily.

istanbul history : The ottoman empire

istanbul history : The ottoman empire

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

In the year 1453, the army of Fatih Sultan Mehmet II (Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror) conquered the city. First of all, the oldest buildings and the formerly magnificent but dilapidated city walls were restored. On the ruins of the Byzantine foundations, the buildings of the basic institutions of the Ottomans were built. The great water system with its huge cisterns was repaired and returned to use. The city had developed its Ottoman identity, resembling its present character.

With the addition of the buildings of the famous architect (Mimar) Sinan, the city had again become the capital of a great empire. Together with the remaining population after the conquest, people coming from all over the empire, from all kinds of ethnic origins and religions, created a colorful mixture. In Istanbul - the new Constantinopolis - the cultural variety brought in by the immigrants enriched the cultural texture of the city. The bedesten where the merchants were settled and the many hans where the craftsmen were to be found turned into centers that enabled this harbor city to develop trade with the outside world. Huge markets were built, further supporting trade. During the period of the height of Ottoman imperial power, the city was covered all over with tulips, in what is known as the"Tulip Era." In the 19th century, efforts of modernization were undertaken. Istanbul entered the 20th century worn out and burdened by its history as the capital city of three great empires. At that time, the Ottomans were just about to end their imperial period of 630 years.

istanbul history - sightseeing

istanbul history & sightseeing

HISTORY & SIGHTSEEING


Istanbul is an old city, you can see the remains of many ancient civilizations and their culture in harmony with Turkish culture. The old versus the new, the traditional versus the modern is a conflict a visitor often observes. The city is full of contrasts, and colorful views, Where the blowing winds from the seven peaks of Anatolian Olympos merge into each other... Where Amazon's cooled their bodies in the waves that break apart from the Black Sea and roll mightily against the shore ... Where love is symbolized in the Tower of Leandros ... Where stand the rocks of Symplegad that brought nightmares to the Argonauts ... Built on seven hills on Asia and Europe ... Capital of three empires ... Where romance and traffic jam go hand in hand ... Lively and exciting ... A world metropolis ... That is Istanbul ... Would you like us to guide you through this legendary city? For the ones who live here, for the occasional visitors and for those of you who are entering it for the first time - whichever aspect of this city you want to experience, we will help you to reach it easily.