Istanbul, one of the greatest cities of all time, has a centuries-old history. An ancient city, a dream come true for all the restless people and busy travelers. The history, culture and architecture of the place are unique. Although the stories of Istanbul are often familiar to historians and travelers, there are other things that surprise us again and again.

Asia and Europe meets here

Istanbul is the only city in the world to be part of two continents, the Pan Continental City, the confluence of Asia and Europe. Therefore, it is possible to experience both cultures on the same trip in Istanbul. This combination of cultures can be seen in all the sights here.

One of the most expensive cities

Istanbul is one of the largest cities in the world, rich in history and culture. The city alone has a population of 15 million, more than any other 177 countries in the world. Istanbul, the cultural capital of Turkey, has a special place in world history. Istanbul is one of the largest cities in Europe and the second largest city in the world in terms of population. In 1502, it was the busiest city in the world.

How history begins?

The history of Istanbul, later known as Byzantium and later Constantinople, dates back to 660 BC. It originated in Byzantium, founded by King Bias. The city also has stories of frequent conquests of the Greek and Persian empires during the power struggle. It became part of the Roman Empire in 73 AD. The region gained prominence when Emperor Constantine elevated Byzantium as his capital. The city was under the influence of Emperor Constantine, who formed the Eastern Roman Empire. Later, in 1453, with the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Sultan Mohammed II, the place came to be known as Istanbul.

City of Tulips

The most famous place for tulips is the Netherlands but Istanbul is said to be the birthplace of tulips. The first tulip bulb was shipped from the Ottoman Empire to Vienna in 1554 and later redistributed to the Netherlands. The Dutch loved it so much that they started growing tulips everywhere. That is how the Netherlands became the land of tulips.The best tulips in Istanbul can be found around the fountain between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque).

City of cats

There are many cities that can claim to be the City of Cats, but Istanbul is different from all of them. But cats here do not have the same rights as in Rome, but they are still everywhere. Moreover, the natives worship them.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sofia is one of the most famous attractions in Istanbul and one of the must-see historical attractions. Hagia Sophia, completed in 360 AD, was a Byzantine Christian cathedral that became a Roman Catholic cathedral until 1204. It was one of the largest Christian cathedrals in the world and was built in its present form by Justin, the ruler of the Byzantine Empire. However, during the Ottoman rule, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and later into a museum in 1935. However, on July 11, 2020, the Urdugan-led Turkish government opened it as a Muslim place of worship. Hagia Sophia has been inscribed on the UN World Heritage List.