Travelers Best

Overview
Istanbul is strategically located and separates Asia Minor from Europe. Much of the amazing culture, architectural heritage and historic importance you will see in Istanbul are because of its perfect strategic location. The city was originally called Byzantium and was later known as Constantinople and has a 2,500 year long rich history. The population in Istanbul amounts to 13 million people, many of them exclusively Turkish, while some people have migrated from provincial Turkey. Istanbul is a vibrant city with promising careers and fast development.

Istanbul is the cultural and economic powerhouse in Turkey. It has in the recent past taken on the role of being a cultural city and was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage to honor many of its landmarks including the Byzantine churches, stunning Ottoman mosques, Hellenistic temples, medieval city walls and catacombs. The fast growing economy has contributed to the flourish of music and arts, private art galleries, clubs, pubs and restaurants.

History
Istanbul was inhabited in 3000BC. By the 7th century King Byzas led the Greek colonists to establish Byzantium. Byzas named the city Byzantium after his own name. In 100BC, Byzantium merged with the Roman Empire and in 306AD, Constantine the Great, Emperor of Rome made Byzantium the capital of Eastern Rome. From then onwards, Byzantium became known as Constantinople. 1923 saw the birth of the Republic of Turkey with its population increasing to nearly 13 million.

Sightseeing
Visitors can tour the magnificent Topkapi Palace, which was created by a 23 year old sultan named Mehmed II. Mehmed captured Constantinople in 1453 and brought it under his Ottoman empire at that time. The Turkish and Islamic Art museum was originally a palace in the 16th century of Suleyman, this museum in Istanbul contains 40,000 items dating back to the seventh century. Some of the highlights include Turkish carpets, Selcuk rugs, Ottoman Koran cases, Koran stands, illuminated tiles and manuscripts. Although few visitors make it to the Blue Mosque, this picturesque Istanbul mosque is more peaceful and even grander and was created by Sultan Sueleymaniye. The Galata Tower offers visitors an unforgettable view from its balcony of the entire city. This distinctive tower was built in 1348 and is 62m long.

Things to Do
Istanbul remains a shopper’s paradise, for the last 1,500 years it has become famous for handmade carpets, rugs, jewelry, antique silver, spices, semi precious stones, international brand clothing, accessories and footwear. A great tourist attraction in Istanbul is the grand bazaar in Beyazit. Eminonu’s spice bazaar is also worth a trip. The bazaar smells and looks marvelous with its stalls filled with dried fruits, olives, nuts, herbs and sweetmeats! The prime tourist shopping area selling handicrafts and authentic antiques can be found in Sultanahmet. Nightlife in Istanbul consists of live music venues, clubs, cafes and bars. The latest trend in the city is pricey rooftop bars. The after dark spot, where it is all happening, is found in Kadikoy. Platform Granti is home to some of the most well known sculptors, painters and printmakers in Istanbul, where visitors will be treated to art exhibitions regularly.

Weather
The weather in Istanbul is similar to that of the Marmara region. The summer is humid and warm, with little rain. The winters are wet and cold with snow, but not as much in Istanbul as other areas in the country. The best time to visit would be in spring and autumn, as the weather is mostly mild. Temperatures during summer are 30 degrees Celsius, and in winter it is around 10 degrees Celsius.

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Regarded as one of the hottest cities on the globe, Istanbul is a place rich with history, with lots of buildings dating back to the Ottoman Empire. But it is also a modern capital city with many art galleries, restaurants and shops, and with a vivid night life in the many clubs. The city has come a long way from a desperate state of poverty to the rich and energetic city it is today.

Back in the age of the Ottoman Empire, the heart of the city was the Hippodrome, with a rich history of political catastrophes; it was the place where the emperor was overturned after a chariot race that ended dramatically. In modern times a spot of equal importance to the tourist visiting Istanbul will be the Grand Bazaar, strategically placed in the center of the town, where tourists can shop to their hearts content. Throughout the ages, this “heart of Istanbul” has been the center for business as it still is today, with many restaurants, workshops and also ancient mosques and other relics from Byzantium times. Another part of the city that will be popular among the shoppers will certainly be the Kapali Carsi where almost everything is sold.

One of the sights that are not to be missed when visiting Istanbul is without a doubt the Aqueduct of Valens, a structure that looks out over the Ataturk Bulvari, completely made up out of limestone. One of the best known monuments in the city is the Aya Sofia, which the Greek refer to as Hagia Sofia, and was built on the orders of Emperor Justinian. A sight not to missed is that from the Galata Bridge, be sure to watch a sunset from there, to see some spectacular panoramas.

Of course a visit to Istanbul is not complete without visiting a few of the many ancient mosques, like The Mihrimah Sultan Camii, with its windows constructed from stained glass. For the scholars amongst us, Istanbul holds many artifacts from the Ottoman era, like the ruins of the palace of Anadolu Kavagi Kalesi, and a tour of the Topkapi Palace is not to be missed out on.

The climate in the area is ideal for a trip to Istanbul during spring or autumn, with mild temperatures and lots of sunshine. It is also the time for the many activities that are held in the city every year, like festivals and musical events. For sports lovers there is Formula 1 racing in June as the Grand Prix starts. The summer months are less suitable for visits to the city, with very high temperatures and the majority of the many attractions are closed during that period.

In and around Istanbul there are many means to move around in the city, like buses, ferries and the popular cabs. Typical transportation in the area is by boat.

Over the years Istanbul has developed into a true world city, with all the comforts of modern day while maintaining its rich culture and history, which is why it has become one of the most popular holiday destinations.

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