İstanbul is the largest city in Turkey, straddling the Bosphorus Strait, the boundary between Europe and Asia. It is considered the country's economic, cultural and historic capital. The city has a population of over 18 million residents, comprising 19% of the population of Turkey, and is the most populous city in Europe and the world's fifteenth-largest city.
The city was founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BCE by Greek settlers Megara. In 330 CE, the Roman emperor Constantine the Great made it his imperial capital, renaming it first as New Rome (Latin: Nova Roma) and then finally as Constantinople (Constantinopolis) after himself.In 1930, the city's name was officially changed to Istanbul.
The city served as an imperial capital for almost 1600 years: during the Byzantine (330–1204), Latin (1204–1261), late Byzantine (1261–1453), and Ottoman (1453–1922) empires.The city grew in size and influence, eventually becoming a beacon of the Silk Road and one of the most important cities in history. The city played a key role in the advancement of Christianity during Roman/Byzantine times, hosting four of the first seven ecumenical councils before its transformation to an Islamic stronghold following the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 CE—especially after becoming the seat of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1517. In 1923, after the Turkish War of Independence, Ankara replaced the city as the capital of the newly formed Republic of Turkey.
Istanbul was the 2010 European Capital of Culture. The city has surpassed London and Dubai to become the most visited city in the world, with more than 20 million foreign visitors in 2023. The historic centre of Istanbul is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city hosts the headquarters of numerous Turkish companies, accounting for more than thirty percent of the country's economy.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is an Ottoman-era imperial mosque built between 1609 and 1617 during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I. Today, it continues to function as a place of worship while also attracting millions of visitors each year. Renowned for its breathtaking architecture, including a massive central dome, four semi-domes, spacious courtyard, and six slender minarets, it stands as one of Istanbul’s most iconic and admired landmarks
Hagia Sofia
Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most significant landmarks, was constructed three times on the same site, with today’s structure known as the “Third Hagia Sophia.” The first church was commissioned by Constantine I, who declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, and opened under Constantine II in 360. Built as a wooden-roofed basilica on the city’s first hill, it was called “The Great Church,” but was destroyed by fire during a revolt in 404.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern, built in 532 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, was designed to supply water to the Great Palace and surrounding areas. An earlier cistern, commissioned by Constantine I, had been damaged by fire. Justinian rebuilt and expanded the structure, creating the impressive cistern that survives today. Water was carried through the Bozdoğan Aqueduct and channels from the Belgrade Forest. Ingeniously, each dome of the ceiling contains a purification system, reflecting the advanced engineering of the era.
Topkapı Palace
In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul. Soon after, he ordered the construction of the New Palace, now known as Topkapi Palace, completed in 1465. Following earthquake damage in 1509, the palace was repaired and expanded, while Suleyman I added the second gate in 1529. After a destructive fire in 1665, major restorations were carried out. Used until 1853, the palace became a museum in 1924, showcasing Ottoman history and culture.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace, commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecid I and completed in 1856, is one of Istanbul’s grandest landmarks. Serving as the Ottoman Empire’s main administrative center, it combines European-inspired architecture with Ottoman elegance. The palace has 285 richly decorated rooms with crystal chandeliers, gold-leaf ceilings, and fine furnishings. Its gardens overlook the Bosphorus, offering stunning views. Today, Dolmabahçe Palace remains a cultural treasure of the Empire’s final era.
Galata Tower
The Galata Tower, originally constructed in 1348 by the Genoese as part of their fortifications, was first known as the Tower of Christ (Christea Turris). Built as a defensive stronghold, it symbolized Genoese maritime power during the Middle Ages. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the tower was repurposed for various functions, including a fire watchtower, prison, and naval observatory. Today, it serves as a popular observation deck, offering panoramic views of Istanbul’s historic skyline and the Bosphorus.
Maiden's Tower
In the fifth century BCE, a customs point was established on the island where the tower now stands, with a tower built to inspect ships from the Black Sea and collect taxes. In the 12th century, Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel I Komnenos constructed a defensive tower on the island. A chain was stretched between this tower and another near the Mangana Monastery in Sarayburnu to control ships entering and exiting the Bosphorus, ensuring security and trade regulation.
Grand Bazaar
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) is Turkey’s largest covered market, spanning 45,000 square meters with around 4,000 shops. It is a must-visit for anyone exploring the city. Visitors can find a wide variety of products, from beautiful Turkish carpets, glazed tiles, and pottery to copper and brassware, leather, cotton, and wool apparel, meerschaum pipes, jewelry, bookends, ashtrays, and countless other unique items, making the bazaar a vibrant hub of culture, craftsmanship, and shopping tradition.
