Travel Guide of Istanbul

WELCOME TO ISTANBUL

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, and second largest metropolitan area in Europe with a population of 12.6 million. It is the cultural and financial center of Turkey which contains 27 districts of the Istanbul province. The city of Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It is the only city that ... extends through two continents, both on the Europe and on the Asia (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus. Throughout its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010 while the many fascinating historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
Istanbul has become a modern western city that is granted many elements of traditional eastern culture as well. In the city of Istanbul you can see the remains of many ancient civilizations and their culture all in harmony together which acquired the city a reputation for being a cultural and ethnic melting pot. In this city, you can see many historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers all exist side-by-side in the same city. These historical structures, which draw millions to the city every year, reflect the heart and soul of Istanbul. Among the most famous and numerous attractions of Istanbul are the famous Maiden's (Leander's) Tower, one of the symbols of Istanbul that was originally built by the ancient Athenian, Column of Constantine which is a monument belonging to the Roman architecture that was erected in 330 by Constantine the Great, the well known Hagia Sophia which is the largest structure on Sultanahmet Square and its construction goes as far back as the year 537. In addition, the city has many other wonderful structures belonging to the ottoman period among which are the splendid and very spacious palaces of Topkapı Palace and Dolmabahce palace, the great mosque of Sultan Ahmet with its wonderful architecture and six minarets and many domes, Hammas (Turkish baths) and the Grand Bazaar which is Turkey's oldest and largest covered-market as well as one of the largest world covered-markets that covers an area of 31,000 square meters and has about 4000 shops.
in the city of Istanbul, you can always be sure that you will enjoy a wonderful life because of its fascinating nightlife, Restaurants, cafeterias, sea trips as will as trying many delicious types of Turkish food and drinks. Istanbul is indeed such a wonderful city that will sure quench your thirst for knowledge, amusement and entertainment while visiting one of the most wonderful cities of the world.