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History of Istanbul


History of Istanbul

Istanbul was occupied by inhabitants from early ages in history, about 3000 BC. Due to its important location connecting two continents, Europe and Asia, its importance was manifested throughout the history from one age to the next, becoming the center for different combination and succession of cultures and religions. Although First settlements of Istanbul were belonging to the far-away prehistoric period, foundations of today's Istanbul dates back to the 7th century BC. Greek colonists led by king Byzas were in search for a new location out of their city Megara around 650 BC, motivated by the prophecy of the prophets of Appolo temple which was at that time the center of prophecy and of high importance. The prophets of Appolo told Byzas to settle "across the land of the blind". After a long search for that land, Byzas reached Istanbul and was enchanted by the wealth of the surroundings there. When he met the people settled on the other side of the Bosphorus, he believed that those people had to be blind because they left such a magnificent place and settled on the other shore, and hence he believed that he has reached the place described in the prophecy.

Byzas gave the place his name and founded the city of Byzantion. The region of Topkaps Palace today was the Acropolis of the old Byzantion. The city had a calm harbor located at the entrance of Golden Horn which is still being used today. City walls were surrounding the city and extending till reaching the Marmara sea. The City remained a center of commerce till 191 BC when it supported the wrong side during a conflict over a throne. Following that, the city was under siege for more than 2 years and finally was conquered by Roman Emperor Septimus Severus and unfortunately burned down and became in ruins. However, later on the city was reconstructed in the reign of the same emperor and new walls and structures were built and decorated in and around the city again.

Due to the great expansion of the roman empire in the 4th century A.D, the location of its capital became in one corner of the empire. And soon the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great was searching for a new capital for the expanding empire. The great importance of the old Byzantion, its ideal climate and its strategic position of intersecting land and sea routes, all elected it to become the new capital for the world's empire at that time. Such decision brought about great effects as the city was extended with many official buildings, many temples, palaces, Hammams. Finally in 330 it was officially announced the capital of the Roman Empire and was named as Second Rome and New Rome. Those names however quickly disappeared and the city was finally named Constantinople. The first churches appeared, as well as further construction and decoration of the city took place after the reign of Constantine the Great and new streets, aqueducts, monuments and structures were built and have added further to the magnificence of the city.

When the Great Roman Empire collapsed in 395 A.D and was divided into two Eastern and Western empires. Eastern Roman empire known by contemporary historians as "Byzantine Empire" continued for more than one thousand years, making Istanbul its capital. During the first half of the 5th century, Istanbul was extended again when Theodosius II (408-450) reconstructed city walls that extended about 6492 meters in length and can still be seen today. In the 6th century and under the reign of Emperor Justinian I (527-565) the city lived a golden age and it is in this period that the very famous Hagia Sohpia was built.

In 1204, there was a siege of the city during the crusades and this date marks the beginning of the Latin rule which was a black era of the city's history. Rubbery spread for years towards the city's monuments, churches and monasteries. The city was returned to the administration of the Byzantions in 1261, although it did not reclaimed its former wealth. There appeared a growing Turkish Ottoman Empire that was representing a threat. After 53 days of siege, the Turks took over the city in 1453 by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and finally the Byzantine empire had come to its end.

Istanbul after that became the capital of the Ottoman empire. The Fatih begin constructing the empty and ruined city again. He gave previous people living in the city freedom of religion and social rights and also were allowed to remain in the city. Because of these rights, the Patriarchate, the head of Christian Orthodox church, remained in place until today. Among some other churches, the Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque and rescued from its ruined condition. Istanbul was reconstructed in a short period after its conquest by the Turks, and after a century Turkish Art was dominant.

In the 16th century, when the Ottoman Sultans became the caliphates, Istanbul became the center and capital of the whole Islamic world. This period was generally calm and there were no wars, however there were frequent fires which burned sections of the city. In the 19th century as the contact with Europe increased, mosques and palaces began to be built on the side of the Bosphorus attaining European style in their architecture.

At the end of the 1st world war, the Ottoman Empire declined and was divided, with its enemies struggling for each taking his share. A commander of the Turkish Army named Mustafa Kamal Attatirk struggled for the Turkish nation and after the war of independence that lasted for 4 years, he succeeded in founding the Turkish Republic in 1923. Sultan and his family were sent abroad and Mustafa Kamal became the head of the republic and began directing the country towards the western civilization. Attatirk died in 1938 and the capital of the Turkish Republic became Ankara, however this did not decreased the historical importance of the city of Istanbul or its magnificence.

History of Istanbul

History of Istanbul

Istanbul was occupied by inhabitants from early ages in history, about 3000 BC. Due to its important location connecting two continents, Europe and Asia, its importance w...+

Transportation in Istanbul

Transportation in Istanbul

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Before Travel To Istanbul

Before Travel To Istanbul

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Eat in  Istanbul

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