Istanbul etymology of the name. Like Istanbul was Constantinople. From Byzantium to Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul
The largest city Turkey, on both banks of the Bosphorus Strait near the Sea of Marmara. The city was founded about three thousand years ago. Its first predecessor was the town of Lygos, located on a small peninsula formed by the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The origin and meaning of the name Lygos are unknown. B 657 G. BC e. the new city is being built by immigrants from Greece, who were brought to these places by their leader Byzantine. After his name, the new city was named Byzantium. B 330 G. n. e. Emperor Constantine I moved the capital of the empire to this city, already conquered by the Romans. Officially it is given the name New Rome, but the name Constantinople is widely used - "city of Constantine" (Greek polis "city") ; it is often called simply Polis ("city") . In Rus', instead of Constantinople, the name Constantinople was widely used, which was also used in official documents, both in literature and in folklore up to the XVII V. Later, the name Tsargrad was retained only in history literature, in poetry. In 1453 G. the city is conquered by Sultan Mehmed II, makes it the capital of the Ottoman Empire and assigns it to him Turkish name Istanbul. There is no satisfactory explanation for this name. Perhaps the best version is based on the fact that Istanbul is distortion V. Constantinople, but it has no direct evidence, and the discrepancy between the supposed original form and the final one is too significant for this version to be accepted unconditionally. It is curious that some authors interpret the incomprehensible name Istanbul as Islambol - the state of Muslims. Since the end of the XVIII V European There is no satisfactory explanation for this name. Perhaps the best version is based on the fact that Istanbul is countries, including Russia, it is used form Istanbul. Cm.
also Golden Horn. Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST
. Pospelov E.M.
(2001.), Istanbul
Istanbul Istanbul, The largest city Turkey
, on both banks of the strait. Bosphorus at Sea of Marmara
. 8803 thousand inhabitants (2002). Founded approx. 3000 years ago. Its first predecessor was the town of Ligos on a small peninsula at the entrance to the strait. A new city founded by immigrants from Greece in 657 BC. e., got the name Byzantium
(in Russia until the 17th century the name was in circulation Constantinople
). In 395–1453 - the capital of the Byzantine Empire (with a break in 1204–61, when it was the center of the Latin Crusader Empire). In 1453 it was conquered by the Turks and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire (until 1918), in 1918–23. - capital of Turkey.
Archit. modern appearance cities are created by buildings of three eras. From Byzantine times, the remains of fortress walls, a complex of imperial palaces, a hippodrome and religious buildings have been preserved, most of which have been converted into mosques: the Church of St. Sophia, the churches of St. Sergius and Bacchus, St. Irene (all 6th century), St. Andrew ( VII century), St. Theodosius (2nd half of the 9th century), Mireleion (1st half of the 10th century), St. Theodore (2nd half of the 11th - 14th centuries), the temple complex of Pantocrator and the monastery church Chora (XII century). Several fortresses (mid-15th century), the Fatih-Jami mosque (15th century; restored after destruction in the 18th century), Bayazid (1497–1505), Shahzade (1548), Suleymaniye (1550) dates back to the Turkish Middle Ages –57), Yeni-Jami (1597–1663), Topkape palace complex (XV–XVII centuries). From the end of the 18th century. Western European style penetrates into architecture.
Large transport junction on the routes from Center. and South-East. Europe to Western Asia. Intl. airport. Up to 60% of industrial activity is concentrated in the north. produced by the country. Machine building, chemical, cement, textile, food, leather footwear, sewing, furniture, paper, glass. industry 3 un-ta. Museums: Turkish and Islamic art, archaeological. etc. Many theaters. The European (larger) part of the city, divided into two zones by the Golden Horn Bay, is connected to the Asian part (Usküdar, or Scutari) by a high bridge 1560 m long (built in 1970–73) and ferries.
Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of academician. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .
Istanbul
Istanbul - the largest city in Turkey (cm. Türkiye), port, economic and industrial center of the country. Population -7.2 million people.
The first settlements on the site of modern Istanbul date back to 600 BC. The Dorians from Megara founded the city of Kalkedon (now the Kadikei region) on the Asia Minor shore of the Bosphorus; a few decades later a colony was founded on the European shore. The Greek colony received the name “Byzantium” after the leader of the colonists. In 339 BC. Byzantium was besieged by King Philip of Macedonia; according to legend, on the eve of Philip’s attack, a crescent moon appeared in the sky above the city, at which dogs began to bark, waking up the residents. The crescent, as an emblem of the city, was later adopted by the Seljuks. Byzantium was taken by Alexander the Great, and later the city became an ally of Rome. In 196, Byzantium provided assistance to the rival of Emperor Septim the Cruel, for which it was completely destroyed. Later, Septim the Cruel rebuilt the city. In 324 AD. Emperor Constantine the Great declared the city the capital of the Roman Empire, giving it the name Constantinople. The period of greatest prosperity of Constantinople occurred during the reign of Emperor Justinian (527-565). For a long time Constantinople was the capital of Byzantium, which became the center of Eastern Christianity. Serious damage to Constantinople was caused by the crusaders, who captured it in 1204 - at that time many monuments of Orthodox Constantinople were destroyed and looted. The last rise of Byzantium and Constantinople is associated with the reign of the Palaiologan dynasty, which began in 1259. The first attacks of the Turks led by Sultan Mehmed II date back to 1450; in 1451, the Rumeli-Hisar fortress on the Bosporus was built, blocking Constantinople’s access to the Black Sea. In 1453, Constantinople, after a long siege, submitted to Sultan Mehmed II, who declared the city the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed's policy was aimed at the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Christians, but many residents left the city, then it grew due to the migration of Greeks, Turks and Armenians. Many of the city's Byzantine monuments were rebuilt, Orthodox church Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque, and a seraglio - the Sultan's palace - appeared on the cape in the Golden Horn Bay. The period of the reign of Suleiman I (1520-1566) was marked by the construction of many delightful monuments of Muslim architecture that have survived to this day. At the end of the First World War, Istanbul was occupied by the British and French. On September 13, 1923, Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) declared the capital of the Turkish Republic Ankara. Modern Istanbul remains the center of cultural and spiritual life in Turkey, the largest tourist center located on the border of Europe and Asia.
Picturesquely located on the banks of the Bosphorus, the city with numerous buildings of the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, museums and palaces containing art treasures attracts tourists like a magnet. Istanbul is divided into two parts by the Bosphorus, which connects the Black and Marmara seas. On the eastern bank of Uskudar there are the Kadikoy quarter, Haydarpasa station, and Anadolu Hisar fortress. The European part of Istanbul is divided into two parts by the Golden Horn Bay. In the oldest part of the city there are the Eminonu, Sultanahmet quarters, St. Sophia Cathedral and Topkapi Palace. The Galata Bridge leads to more modern neighborhoods: Taksim, Besiktas and Beyoglu. Higher along the Bosphorus are the neighborhoods of Bebek, Yenikoy, Tarabya, and the Rumeli Hisar fortress. The richest areas are located on the Asian coast - these are the Macka, Nisantasi, and Bebek neighborhoods. In the depths of the Golden Horn are the quarters of Fener - the seat of the world Patriarch, and Eyup or Ayup.
A remarkable architectural, historical and museum complex is the city wall of Istanbul. At its southern end stands the Yedikule or "Seven Tower Fortress", located where the city wall meets the coastal fortifications. The Tower of Inscriptions, in which foreign envoys were once kept in custody, as well as the southern pylon of the Golden Gate, deserve special attention in the fortress. To the north of the fortress there is a section of a well-preserved wall with the St. Romanus Gate, from which you can reach the Edirnekapi Gate with the Mihrimah Mosque. The mosque was built in 1550 by the architect Sinan, father of " classic style». Feature the mosque has high arched walls and a 37-meter-high dome. The interior of the mosque gives the impression of spaciousness thanks to three rows of windows. In the northern part of the city wall is the Kariye Camii Muzesi Museum, housed in the former church of the Chora Monastery. This Byzantine temple contains some of Istanbul's most famous frescoes and mosaics. The temple was built during the reign of Emperor Justinian and was later rebuilt many times. Mosaics with images of the Mother of God and Jesus were made in 1314-1321.
Sightseeing in Istanbul almost always begins with the Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia). This is the most significant building in the city. Until 1453 (for 916 years) it was a Christian church, then until 1934 (for 481 years) it was a mosque, and after 1934 it was a museum. The modern building of Hagia Sophia was founded under Emperor Justinian in 532 on the site of a temple built under Constantine I in 325 and renovated under Theodosius. Hagia Sophia was sacked by the Crusaders in 1204. In 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by order of Mehmed II. The pillars in the dome of the church are made of sandstone blocks fastened with lead, and the walls and vaults are made of brick. During the period of Muslim rule, minarets, retaining walls, fountains, a kitchen and tombs appeared in the ensemble of St. Sophia, and all the images of saints in the interior of the temple were plastered. At the entrance to the modern temple are the remains of the Basilica of Theodosius. From the open courtyard, five doors lead into the vestibule of the ancient basilica, lined with marble and decorated with gold mosaics. Nine doors in the narthex lead to the interior of the basilica. Particularly noteworthy is the Imperial Portal, above which is the famous mosaic depicting Jesus on the throne and the kneeling Emperor Leo VI. The Hagia Sophia ensemble features a huge dome (diameter - 31 m). The central nave of the temple is adjacent to two side ones, which can be reached through open arcades. Of the Byzantine frescoes in the temple, images of the Virgin Mary on the throne, angels and cherubs in the apse have been preserved. The mosaics on the upper gallery from the 9th to 12th centuries deserve special attention. During the Muslim reconstruction of Hagia Sophia, a maksura for the Sultan, a mihrab and a minrab were added, and the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, the first caliphs Abu Bakr, Omar, Osman and Ali, as well as Hassan and Hussein, the sons of Ali, were written on eight wooden medallions. Among the attractions of Hagia Sophia is the “sweating column” in the left side nave, which is believed to help with various diseases. Bronze doors lead from the temple-museum, which were previously the main entrance. In the courtyard on the left are the tombs of the sultans and princes.
Hagia Sophia Square in the city's Sultanahmed district is the real center of architectural and cultural monuments of Istanbul. Not far from the square, on Kizilai Street, is the Yerebatan Sarayi or “Underground Palace”, built under Emperor Justinian in the 6th century over a cistern - a reservoir for storing water. The length of the room is 141 meters, the floors are supported by 336 columns. Lighting and music create a special atmosphere in the palace.
In Hagia Sophia Square you can see At Meydani, an ancient hippodrome with several interesting monuments, including an Egyptian obelisk from the time of Pharaoh Thutmose (1502-1448 BC), installed by Emperor Theodosius in 390; Serpent Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi; stone column erected in the 10th century by Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus. On the opposite side of At Meydana is the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (Turk Ve Islam Sanatlari Muzesi), which contains examples of Muslim art from different eras: calligraphy, inscriptions on stones, miniatures, vessels and ancient carpets. The museum occupies the beautiful Ibrahim Pasha Palace, built in 1542.
On the eastern side of Hagia Sophia Square is Sultan Ahmet Camii, the main mosque of Istanbul, also known as the Blue Mosque. It was built in 1609 - 1616. There are six minarets near the Blue Mosque - the same number as there were in the Great Mosque in Mecca. The walls of the structure are decorated with blue tiles, and the impressive dome is painted in the same colors. A fragment of the Kaaba stone from Mecca is kept in the mihrab of the Blue Mosque. At the end of Küçük Hagia Sophia Street on the shores of the Sea of Marmara stands the Little Hagia Sophia (Kucuk Aya Sofya) or the Church of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus (527-536). The internal space of the Little Hagia Sophia has the shape of an octagon.
Near the St. Sophia Cathedral there is another landmark of the city - the Sultan's Topkapi Palace (Topcapi Sarayi) with the famous harem. The palace can be reached through the back courtyard of Hagia Sophia, passing the Humayun Gate (Bab-i Humayun), built under Mehmed II. In front of the richly decorated gate with three towers is the Ahmed III Fountain (1728) with marble reliefs and a domed roof, rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in Istanbul. Behind the Humayun Gate is the square with the Church of St. Irene (Hagia Eirene). Before the construction of Hagia Sophia, the Church of St. Irene was the main one in Constantinople. After the capture of Constantinople by the Turks, the Church of St. Irene served as an arsenal for the Janissaries, and then as a warehouse. Architecturally, it is a classical basilica with a cross-shaped plan. The vestibule of the church is lined with mosaics from the time of Justinian. In the church there is a sarcophagus in which, according to legend, the remains of Constantine rest.
The complex of structures and exhibitions of the Topkapi Palace Museum begins behind the Selam Gate (Bab-I Selam), which is also known as the “Gate of Justice”: in two towers at the gate, those sentenced to death once languished. In the second courtyard of the museum there are kitchen premises, and a porcelain collection is also located here. Opposite are the stables, where carriages and harnesses from the Ottoman period are displayed. In front of the stables is the entrance to the famous harem, the complex of which developed over several centuries. The Saadet Gate (Bab-i Saadet) leads to the third courtyard; it served for ceremonies during the Eid al-Adha holiday. In the third courtyard there is a reception hall (Arz Odasi) and the library of Ahmed III. In the fourth courtyard you can see the Tulip Garden and many pavilions, among which the most notable is the Bagdad Kosk, built in 1638 in memory of the conquest of Baghdad. The dome and vault of the pavilion are decorated with gold reliefs, the walls - with tiles, the doors and windows - with mother-of-pearl and ivory.
Other attractions of Topkapi Palace are the circumcision room (Sunnet Odasi) and the repository of sacred relics. The treasury contains items belonging to the Prophet Muhammad, as well as wealth accumulated by the Ottoman rulers - a throne from India, decorated with emeralds and diamonds, the Topkapi dagger, as well as the famous “Spooner's Diamond”. Near the Topkapi Palace there is an interesting architectural monument - the Agios Romanos Gate, once built near the Church of St. Romanos, which has not survived to this day. The gate received the name Topkapi, that is, “cannon,” since in 1453 Mehmed installed the largest cannon here. Here, according to legend, the last Byzantine emperor was killed.
The center of old Istanbul is Ataturk Bulvari with adjacent Beyzit Meydani Square. Ataturk Boulevard is crossed by the arches of the Valens Aqueduct (368). Initially, the length of the aqueduct was about 1 km; a section of 800 m has survived to this day. To the south of the aqueduct stands the Sehzade Camii Mosque, built by Sinan in 1544-1588. in memory of Mehmed, son of Suleiman the Magnificent, who died in 1543. Not far from Ataturk Boulevard there is a significant monument of the Byzantine era - the Pantocrator Monastery. Among other Byzantine monuments of modern Istanbul, it is worth noting the Church of Christ the Savior (Kariye Cami). The monastery, which previously included this church, was located outside the city walls of Constantinople.
Bayezid Square is always lively; it is a favorite walking place for guests and residents of the city. On the square stands the Beyazit Camii Mosque (1501-1506). Its complex includes a madrasah, a school, Turkish baths and a mausoleum. The Bayezid Mosque marked the beginning of the classical era in Turkish architecture. In the courtyard of the mosque there is a peristyle with antique columns and a fountain. The minarets are located quite far from the mosque building. To the north of the Bayezid Mosque is the old university complex, which became the first Turkish institution of higher education at the end of the 19th century.
North of the university, on a hill above the Golden Horn, is one of Istanbul's most famous mosques, the Suleymaniye Camii Mosque (1550-1557). The internal space of the building is covered with a dome 53 meters high. This mosque is often called the “Mosque of Light”: its harmonious marble interior is illuminated by 136 windows. The courtyard of the mosque is surrounded by a gallery supported by 24 columns of porphyry, white marble and pink granite. The four minarets of the mosque symbolize that Suleiman the Magnificent was the fourth sultan to rule in Istanbul. The mosque complex, which includes numerous outbuildings (kitchen, baths, schools and libraries), currently occupies a separate quarter of the city.
The oldest mosque in Istanbul is considered to be Sagricilar Camii, which is located near the Ataturk Bridge. Previously, it was considered a mosque for tanners, whose workshops were once located in this quarter. In the courtyard of the mosque is the mausoleum of its founder, Yavcez Ersinan. Another interesting monument of temple architecture of old Istanbul is the Rüstem Pasha Mosque (Rustem Pasa Camii), built by Sinan in 1561. The mosque is decorated with magnificent tiles and is considered one of the most beautiful in the city.
Many interesting architectural and historical monuments of Istanbul are located along the shores of the Golden Horn Bay. These include Eminonu Square and the Galata Bridge, which leads to the Beyoglu area. On Eminonu Square stands the New Mosque (Eni Camii) (17th century), next to which is the Egyptian Bazaar (Misir Carsi). This is one of the oldest markets in Istanbul - shopping arcades appeared here already in 1660. To the south is the Grand Bazaar (Kapali-Charshi, Kapali Carsi), founded by Mehmed the Conqueror. This world famous market covers an area of 30 thousand square meters. m, it consists of 65 streets with more than four thousand shops. Between the Grand Bazaar and the Bayezid Mosque is the Sahaflar Carsisi second-hand book market. In the Byzantine era, Chartoprateio, a paper and book market, was located in its place; after the fall of Constantinople, engravings and turbans began to be sold here, and second-hand book dealers settled in the market in the 18th century.
The western bank of the Golden Horn - the Ayyub (Eyub) region - has recently been restored. The Ayub temple complex is visible above the highway bridge. According to legend, in 674, the standard bearer of the Prophet Muhammad, Ayub Ansari, died at this place in a battle with the Arabs. A place of pilgrimage for the entire Muslim world is the Ayub Mosque, built in 1458 by Mehmed Fatih. Ayyub's tombstone is decorated with blue-green tiles. Not far from the mosque there is a cemetery.
The Galata Bridge leads to the Beyoğlu region, which was once called "Pera" and was settled by Europeans. Galata, the southern part of Beyoğlu, is famous for the short tunnel of Europe's oldest metro. Around 500, the Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) was built, from the top tier of which there is a beautiful view of the city. The Independence Monument is located in Taksim Square. On the banks of the Bosphorus in the Beyoglu district, near the stadium and the Hilton Hotel, are the 19th century Dolmabahce Mosque, the clock tower and the Dolmabahce Palace. The palace was built in 1853 using European architectural forms. Particularly striking are its portal, throne room and alabaster bath.
From Beyoglu you can get to east coast Bosphorus, to the Uskudar region, passing the Leander Tower, which the Turks call the “Maiden Tower” (Kizkulesi). At the ferry pier in Üsküdar stands the Mihrimah Mosque (1548), built at the request of the daughter of Suleiman II. In the center of the square, not far from the pier, is the fountain of Ahmed II (1728), and to the west of it is the Semsi Pasa Mosque. Another attraction of Üsküdar is the Yeni-Valide Mosque, built in 1710 by Ahemd III in honor of his mother. Not far from it is Cinili Camii, the Faience Mosque. In the southern part of the area are the Eski Valide Mosque and the Karacaahmet Mezarligi Cemetery. To the south of the Karajaahmed cemetery begins the Selimiye district, an interesting monument of which is the Selima barracks, designed as a fortification.
There are many different museums in Istanbul. Not far from the Church of St. Irene, in the Old Town, is the Archaeological Museum (Arkeoloji Muzesi), the collections of which widely include ancient sculpture, sarcophagi, steles, ceramics and coins. The most famous exhibit of the museum is the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, decorated with reliefs depicting scenes from the life of the great commander. Particularly noteworthy are the stele from the Jerusalem temple, the lioness from the Helicarnassus mausoleum, busts of Roman emperors and sculptures from the Byzantine era. Opposite the archaeological museum is the Fatih Muzesi Museum, which displays the artistic crafts of the Seljuks and Turks. The museum building, known as Cinili Kosk or Faience Pavilion, was built by the Persian architect Kameleddin under Mehmed II at the same time as the palace.
Opposite the southern wing of the archaeological museum is the Museum of Oriental Antiquities (Eski Sark Eserlery Muzesi) with collections of archaeological finds from all regions of the Middle East that formerly belonged to the Ottoman Empire. The main exhibits are from Egypt, Yemen, Mesopotamia and the Hittite settlements of Anatolia. One of the most valuable exhibits of the museum is a faience relief that decorated the Sacred Way, which led to the Ishtar Gate in Babylon. Of particular interest to museum visitors is the treaty between the Hittite king Hattusili II and Pharaoh Ramesses II, dating back to approximately 1270 BC. One cannot help but pay attention to the statues of kings Shalmanser III, Gudea from Lagash and Hamurappi from Babylon.
Among the places loved by Istanbul tourists are many famous coffee shops, restaurants and hotels. Thus, the French artist Pierre Loti liked to spend time in the coffee shop “Pityer Loti Kahvehanesi”, which offers a beautiful view of the Golden Horn. Little has changed in the cafe at the Pera Palace Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express. Turkish baths (hamams), of which there are more than a hundred in the city, remain an invariable attribute of Istanbul. One of the best ancient baths is Cagaloglu Hammami. A very famous and popular bathhouse among foreign tourists is Galatasaray Hammami. Some baths - such as Cemberlitas Hammami or Mahmut Pasa Hammami - are located in beautiful old buildings that are also interesting as architectural monuments.
Undoubtedly, one of the main tourist routes in Istanbul is the Bosphorus Strait (Istanbul Bogazici) with its historical monuments and modern resort towns. You can go on a tour of the Bosphorus from the Galata area. In the Ortakoy area, famous for its mosque and many restaurants popular with young people, a large suspension bridge was built in 1973 connecting the banks of the Bosphorus. The coastal area of Arnavutkoy is famous for its fish taverns, while the Bebek area is famous for its luxurious cafe bars. When traveling along the Bosphorus, you cannot miss the fortress of Rumeli Hisari, built in 1452 under Mehmed II. Opposite it is the smaller fortress of Anadolu Hisri.
South of Istanbul, at the entrance to the Gulf of Izmit, lie the Princes' Islands (Kizil Adalar), an archipelago of nine islands, the main ones being Kinali Ada (Proti), Burgaz (Antigone), Heybeli Ada (Halki) and Buyuk Ada (Pringipos) . During the Byzantine era, many monasteries were founded on the islands. During the iconoclastic period, the islands served as a place of exile for princes and clergy. Most of the monuments of the Byzantine period were destroyed by the Crusaders. In the 19th century, the Princes' Islands were developed by residents of the Pera area. Particularly interesting is the island of Burgaz, which received its name from the Greek word “pyrgos” - “tower”. In 1869, a monastery was built here on the ruins. In the center of the village on the island is the Church of John the Baptist, built by Theodora in 842. On the Black Sea, if you leave the Bosphorus Strait, there are several famous Turkish resorts - Kilyos on the European side of the strait and Sile on the Asian side.
Encyclopedia of tourism Cyril and Methodius. 2008 .
No one can remain indifferent to Istanbul! Thanks to the 7 hills on which it is built, the magnificent Bosphorus Strait dividing it into Asian and European parts, and the Golden Horn Bay, the city was and remains unique and unique!
The city captivates with its history from the very beginning of its foundation: colonists from the Greek city of Megara decide to found a new city and go to the Delphic Oracle for advice on the location of the future settlement. The oracle replied that the city should be built “opposite the blind.” The Megarians, under the leadership of their leader Byzantus, arrived at the Bosporus, and he, seeing Chalcedon (the current region of Kadikoy), said to his companions: “The founders of this city are those blind ones, since they did not understand the advantages of the Golden Horn, preferring to it the place where Chalcedon was built.” . Thus, the place indicated by the oracle was Cape Serai, where the Megarians built Istanbul.
The city was not named by the Ottomans, as is commonly believed. The city's name is mentioned as a human name in a 9th-century work called Fütuh’üş-Şam. The son of the Greek Melika Timaos, whose name was Istanbul, worked on the construction of the city during all four years of his reign. However, its construction is completed by Constantine, who came to replace Istanbul, and names the city by his own name. In a 10th century book the city is mentioned as İstinbolin. There are countless stories and legends associated with the name of the city and other unrelated ones. Istanbul at different times was called Byzantium, Constantinople, Constantiniye, Asitane (Persian Asitane - capital of capitals), Darülhilafe and Dersaadet (gate of bliss, happiness).
The history of Istanbul goes back to ancient times and dates back three hundred thousand years ago. The first traces of human culture were discovered during excavations in the Yarymburgaz cave on the shore of Lake Küçükçekmece. It is believed that there were Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlements in the vicinity of the lake. Early Paleolithic tools were discovered in the Dudullu region, and Middle and Upper Paleolithic tools were discovered in the Agachly region. During the construction of the Marmaray railway tunnel in 2008, traces dating back to the Stone Age (6500 BC) were found during excavations in the Fikirtepe area on the Asian part - buildings from the Bronze Age (5500 - 3500 BC), and in the Kadykoy area there are traces of Phoenician habitation. The city of Byzantium was founded by Byzantium in 667 BC. After the conquest of the city by the Romans, Septimius Severus, who became Caesar of the Roman Empire, began to restore Byzantium, giving it the name Augusta Antonina (lat. Augusta Antonina) in honor of his son. Emperor Constantine I declared the city the capital of the Roman Empire. At this time, the city began to be called New Rome, but the name did not stick, and then after the death of Emperor Constantine in 337, the name of the city again changed to Constantinople.
The period of the Byzantine Empire lasted from 324 to 1453. The Eastern Roman Empire turned into the Byzantine Empire, of which Constantinople was proclaimed its capital. This period marked the beginning of an era of prosperity, the city grew and developed. Along with the hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), ports and aqueducts were built for 100,000 people. Constantine, who founded the world's largest cathedral, Hagia Sophia, in 360, changed the religion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, resulting in the first crack in relations with the West. The Byzantine Empire dates back to the death of Emperor Theodosius I. After the destruction of the western part of the Roman Empire in 476, most of the Romans living there migrated to the eastern part under the name of the Byzantine Empire. Thus, Istanbul was again proclaimed the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The plague epidemic in 543 claimed almost half of the city's population. Emperor Justinian I had to rebuild the capital again. Subject to numerous invasions, in 1204 Istanbul was captured and plundered by the crusaders during the IV Crusade. The Latin Empire period ended in 1261. The then reduced territory of the Byzantine Empire was besieged by the Ottoman Empire in 1391.
On May 29, 1453, Turkish troops led by Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror took Constantinople by storm. This date also marks the end of the Middle Ages. During the Omani Empire, Istanbul developed rapidly. Many palaces, markets, schools and hammams were built. Within just 50 years, Istanbul became one of the largest cities in the world, where Jews, Christians and Muslims lived in harmony. Thanks to the Golden Horn Bridge, the Karakoy Tunnel, railways and shipping, the construction of municipalities and hospitals, and many other innovations, the city acquired the status of a modern and important center. In 1918, Istanbul was occupied by Entente troops.
On October 29, 1923, along with the establishment of the Republic, the capital functions of Istanbul, which had been the capital for about 2,500 years, passed to Ankara. However, the city retained the right to be called the most populous, as well as commercial, industrial, commercial, cultural and tourist center not only of the country, but also of the world. Today, Istanbul maintains its position by having the youngest population among leading European cities and maintaining a healthy rate of economic growth. This is one of the metropolises that comes to mind when mentioning skilled labor, culture and entertainment tourism. Today Istanbul consists of 39 districts. Of these, 25 are located on the European part, and 14 on the Asian part. The population of this one of the largest metropolises in the world is 14,160,467 people.
Istanbul is the only city in the world that lies on two continents. It is located on a peninsula surrounded by the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus Strait.
The founding date of Istanbul is considered to be 659 BC, when Greek fishing settlements appeared on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. And in 667 BC. The city of Byzantium was founded, named after the mythological hero of Ancient Greece.
In 74 BC. Byzantium became part of the vast Roman Empire.
In 330, the city was renamed Constantinople, in honor of the Roman Emperor Constantine.
Constantinople was surrounded by massive walls, inside which a palace, a hippodrome and baths were built. The new capital was decorated with magnificent works of art and grandiose temples were erected. The last Roman emperor was Theodosius (379-395). Before his death, he divided the empire between his sons Arcadius and Honorius.
After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Constantinople became the capital of Byzantium, the largest center of Eastern Christianity.
Byzantium reached its peak of development under Justinian I (527-565). At this time, beautiful palaces and churches, including Hagia Sophia, were built in Constantinople. It was the richest and largest city.
But in 1204, Constantinople was sacked by an army of crusaders, who took away many treasures and established the Latin Empire, which lasted until 1261.
Later, Byzantium was restored under the rule of the Palaiologan dynasty.
But in 1453 the city was conquered by the Ottomans under the command of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror. Constantinople became the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed II managed to revive the city. Rapid construction began, Byzantine churches were rebuilt into mosques, and the Topkapi Palace was erected.
The 16th century was the heyday of the Ottoman Empire. Istanbul played the role of the center of the Islamic world - the caliphate. In 1520-66, during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, a “golden age” began for Istanbul. During this period, one of the most significant mosques in the city was built - the Suleymaniye Mosque, which became the same symbol for Istanbul as Hagia Sophia for Byzantine Constantinople.
After the death of Suleiman Ottoman Empire began to slowly decline. However, in 1609-1616, under Sultan Ahmed I, the Blue Mosque was built.
But after the signing of the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, the empire lost half of its possessions in Europe, and decline began. A series of wars followed with Russia, the Republic of Venice, Austria and Persia, prompting the state to modernize its financial system. Wealthy families began to buy state lands. Land along the Bosphorus was in particular demand, and luxurious palaces began to be built here.
From 1718 to 1730 there was a certain rise and artistic revival. But then Russian troops invaded the territory of the Ottoman Empire. Russia recaptured Crimea from Turkey. In the 1870s. The reformist movement “New Ottomans” began to seek the introduction of a constitutional monarchy and achieved some success, but then the Russian-Turkish wars followed again.
But at this time there were positive changes in the appearance of Istanbul. The first permanent Galata Bridge was built in 1845, and steamships began sailing along the Bosphorus in 1850. In 1871, trams began to operate in Istanbul, and in 1875 a mini metro, the Tunel, was opened. In 1889, a significant event took place - the opening of the Paris-Istanbul passenger railway service (Orient Express).
In 1908, a group of officers founded the Union and Progress society, nicknamed the Young Turks. The Young Turks gained control of the government.
During the First World War, Türkiye fought on the side of Germany and Austria-Hungary. This war brought many casualties and economic turmoil. In 1919, troops from England, France and Greece occupied other cities.
In 1923, after the victory of the Turkish national movement led by Kemal Atatürk (army officer Mustafa Kemal, who from 1935 became known as Atatürk - Father of the Nation), the Turkish Republic was established and the capital was moved to Ankara.
Ataturk foresaw the creation of a modern Turkish state, introduced legislation in the image of Germany, Italy and Switzerland, and abolished the Muslim caliphate.
Since 1928 the country has become secular state with a Western type constitution. Islamic courts were banned, the Latin alphabet was introduced, and wearing traditional clothing was prohibited.
In 1930 Byzantium became officially known as .
During World War II, Türkiye declared neutrality.
After the war, economic growth began.
In 1970-80 The protests of the Kurdish minority began.
Now Istanbul is the largest commercial and cultural center of Turkey, one of the most beloved and visited cities by tourists, which has retained its originality and flavor, but at the same time a fairly Europeanized and civilized city.
Sights of Istanbul
10 must-see places in Istanbul
Beyoğlu
"Istanbul was Constantinople, now it"s Istanbul, not Constantinople, why did Constantinople get the works?.."
Every educated person knows two things about the history of Istanbul:
- Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire here and gave the city his name, calling it Constantinople. (IV century AD)
- After more than a thousand years, the Ottoman armies captured it and turned it into the capital of the Islamic world. At the same time, the name was changed, and it turned into Istanbul. (XVI century AD)
But, as it turned out, I was wrong. Neither Constantine nor the conquering Sultan renamed the city as I thought. They renamed it completely differently.
Here Short story many names of long-suffering Istanbul:
In 667 BC the city was founded under the name Byzantium(Greek Βυζάντιον) - there are suggestions that it was named so in honor of the Greek king Byzantine.
In 74 AD, the city of Byzantium became part of the Roman Empire. His name has not changed.
In 193, Emperor Septimius Severus decides to rename the city in honor of his son Anthony. For 19 years Byzantium became Augusta Antonina, then the name was changed back.
In 330, Constantine proclaimed Byzantium the capital of the empire, and issued a decree renaming the city to New Rome(not what you thought). True, no one liked this name, and residents continued to call the city Byzantium. At this point, the city was already almost 1,000 years old.
During his reign, Constantine intensively rebuilt the city, increased its size several times, and generally changed its appearance beyond recognition. For this, people began to call Byzantium the city of Constantine (Greek: Κωνσταντινούπολις).
Only during the reign of Theodosius II, about a hundred years later, the city was first called Constantinople in official documents - no one liked the name “New Rome” so much. As a result, this name was assigned to the Byzantine capital for centuries.
In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople after a long siege. This marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, and gave rise to the Ottoman Empire. The new owners began to call the city in a new way: Constantine. However, when translated, this means absolutely the same as in Greek - “city of Constantine.” At the same time, foreigners called it Constantinople and continued to do so.
To my surprise, it turned out that the city was called Constantinople throughout the history of the Ottoman Empire. Only after the appearance Republic of Turkey in the 1920s, it was considered necessary to rename it. The Ataturk government urged all foreigners to call the city by a new name: 2001.. (In Russian the city began to be called Istanbul.)
Where did this name come from? Another surprise: this is not a Turkish word at all, as I thought. For centuries, local residents referred to the central part of the city in Greek as "εις την Πόλιν" (in the Middle Ages it was pronounced "istembolis"). What does “City” simply mean, or, in the modern sense, “downtown”. That's exactly what New Yorkers call Manhattan "city" today.
1905 postcard: Constantinople, view of Galata and Istanbul
It turns out that the young government of Turkish nationalists used the Greek name for their capital at a time when they were actively fighting with their Greek neighbors for territory.
To summarize: Emperor Constantine Not named Constantinople after himself. Ottoman conquerors Not changed his name to Istanbul. And in general, Istanbul is a Greek, not a Turkish name, meaning “City”.
Istanbul is truly unique in every way. In addition to the fact that it is located simultaneously on two continents (most of it in Europe, a smaller part in Asia), its geographical location is of strategic importance. From the south, Istanbul is washed by the Sea of Marmara, through which the routes from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean lead.
The local climate also has its own characteristics. It is subtropical, but since the city is located on the border of the corresponding weather zone, the celestial office often “sends” cold winds from the north here. This is the reason that sultry weather - from 35 degrees and above - is extremely rare in the metropolis. However, summers are quite hot, the average temperature level varies between 19-28°C above zero.
During the summer, Istanbul experiences periods of high humidity. In general, precipitation (mostly rain) occurs on 123 days a year. Approximately 850-900 mm of precipitation falls in 12 months. The city receives more than 2 thousand sundials per year, which is a very good indicator. As for winter, it is also characterized by humidity. Severe cold weather is not observed, but snow falls. Average temperature – from +3°C to +9°C. In spring and autumn the weather is also quite comfortable, although it is prone to sudden temperature changes.
Story
659 BC is considered the official founding date of Istanbul. Its first inhabitants were ethnic Greeks. Actually, the city of Byzantium, named after the mythological hero of Ancient Hellas, arose in 667 BC. e. Later, the Romans settled here, completely subjugating it to their power.
The turning point in the history of Istanbul was the year 324. The ambitious Roman Emperor Constantine came up with the idea of founding at the crossroads of two parts of the world Big city and give it the name New Rome. The ambitious plans were destined to come true, and within a few years the majestic Constantinople (the first name did not stick, and the city received the name of the ruler himself) was proclaimed the capital of the Roman Empire. By the way, in Russian chronicles it was called Constantinople.
What was Istanbul like then, one and a half thousand years ago? Just to say that it is beautiful is to say nothing. Behind the massive walls that surrounded the city lived wealth, luxury and splendor. Intensive construction was underway in the new capital, grandiose religious buildings were erected one after another. Magnificent works of art were imported into the city from all corners of the empire to decorate it. The “city of Constantine” even had its own hippodrome, not to mention the Roman forum (meeting place) and baths.
The years 379-395 saw the reign of Theodosius, who was destined to become the last emperor in the history of the powerful Roman Empire. Before his death, he divided the huge state into two parts, ordering his sons Arcadius and Honorius to rule them. The role of Constantinople was not diminished in any way; it became the capital of Byzantium and at the same time the main center of Christianity of the Eastern rite (Orthodoxy).
Under Emperor Justinian I, who reigned from 527-565, the state reached its greatest prosperity. The face of the empire was still its capital, and no expense was spared for its improvement. Luxurious palaces and temples were built. At the same time it was erected magnificent Cathedral Hagia Sophia is one of the main attractions of modern Istanbul.
Life is arranged in such a way that the white stripe is often replaced by a black stripe. It did not bypass the Byzantine capital either. In 1204, the crusaders coveted its wealth and literally plundered Constantinople and took away a lot of treasures. They established their power here and founded a new state - the Latin Empire. True, it did not last long, until 1261, when Emperor Michael VIII expelled the conquerors.
Michael VIII was a representative of the Palaiologan dynasty, which restored the former Byzantine Empire. She ruled for two centuries and is the longest in the history of the state. In 1453, when Constantinople was conquered by the Turks, the decline and final collapse of Byzantium occurred. So the majestic city turned from the capital of one empire into the center of another - the Ottoman one. Special attention Sultan Mehmed II personally paid attention to its revival. Buildings and structures erected in former times have undergone radical reconstruction. For example, temples were converted into mosques. At the same time, Topkapi Palace was built - one of the most famous in Istanbul.
The 16th century was marked by the heyday of the Ottoman Empire and, accordingly, its capital. Particularly noteworthy is the period from 1520 to 1566, when Suleiman the Magnificent was the ruler. Researchers of the past are unanimous in the opinion that this period became a real “golden age” in the entire history of Constantinople. The most famous mosque, Suleymaniye, was built at this time. It became a symbol of the city, its calling card for many centuries to come. To understand the place this temple occupied and still occupies in the hearts of the Turks, it is enough to remember what significance Hagia Sophia had for the Byzantines.
After Suleiman died, the sun of prosperity over his state began to shine less brightly. However, Sultan Ahmed I was able to find funds for the construction of the famous Blue Mosque, which was built in 1609-1616. After the signing of the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, the Ottoman Empire lost a significant part of its European possessions, and the country began to decline. The government intends to breathe new life into its financial system, which became especially relevant after the wars with Russia, Persia, the Venetian Republic and Austria. The acquisition of state lands by wealthy clans was encouraged. The most delicious plots turned out to be along the Bosphorus Strait, where the new owners began to build luxurious palaces.
The first half of the 18th century turned out to be controversial for Constantinople. On the one hand, the city began to revive, on the other, the war with Russia began, which affected its development. Positive changes in the appearance of the capital took place in the 19th century. In 1845, the Galata Bridge was put into operation. Another 5 years later, the first steamships were launched onto the waters of the Bosphorus. Intracity transport also developed: trams appeared in 1871, and the so-called mini-metro, known as the “Tunel,” was put into operation in 1875. The year 1889 was also significant: the first train to Paris (Orient Express) went.
In 1919, Constantinople was occupied by British, French and Greek troops. The Turkish national liberation movement offered active resistance to foreign invaders. In 1923, this struggle was crowned with victory and a secular republic was formed, led by former army officer Mustafa Kemal, who took the title Atatürk (“Father of the Nation”). The capital of the new state was moved to Ankara.
On March 28, 1930, the authorities renamed Constantinople to Istanbul, and this is the spelling of the new name adopted in the Russian language. At the everyday level in Turkey itself the toponym “Istanbul” is often used. In neighboring Greece, the former name of the city, Constantinople, continues to be officially used in our time.
Istanbul in the 21st century plays a leading role in political life countries. One of the confirmations of this can be considered the attempt coup d'etat in July 2016, when the military opposed the regime of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but failed. Dramatic events during the coup, including clashes between opponents of the head of state and his supporters, took place not only in Ankara, but also in Istanbul.
Sights of Istanbul
The undoubted decoration of Istanbul is, of course, the mosques, the splendor of which can captivate everyone. The most beautiful religious building is, of course, the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by the architect Sinan in 1550-1557. It can accommodate about 5 thousand believers. The mosque complex also includes a madrasah where devout Muslims study their religion, libraries, observatories, Turkish hammams, and, of course, four tall minarets.
On the main square of Sultanahmet there is another world-famous religious building - the Blue Mosque, which differs from the others by the presence of not four, as is customary, but six minarets. This is one of the symbols of Istanbul, captivating with its grandeur, grace and interior decoration. It is decorated with exclusive ceramic tiles, which are painted with blue and white paints. One of the walls is decorated with 260 stained glass windows made by Venetian craftsmen: believers turn to it during prayer. The floor of the mosque is covered with expensive, unique handmade carpets.
Istanbul Blue Mosque or Sultanahmet MosqueHagia Sophia, or Hagia Sophia, is located just opposite the Blue Mosque. Come to Istanbul and not see it with your own eyes, chief religious symbol Byzantine Constantinople? This is simply impossible! A large army of tourists flocks to admire the magnificent temple, which was originally Orthodox. Six centuries ago it was turned into a mosque. Today, Hagia Sophia is one of the most luxurious museums in the world, which can be placed on a par with St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
The main palace of the Ottoman Empire until the mid-19th century was Topkapi Palace. It stands on the shores of Cape Seraglio, on the eastern side of Old Istanbul, overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The huge Topkapi Palace complex covers an area of 70 hectares and was once home to up to 40,000 people. In 1462, Mehmet II began construction of the palace; the rulers of the Ottoman Empire lived and ruled here for almost 400 years. It is here that the popular television series “The Magnificent Century” takes place, where Sultan Suleiman lives with his harem. Today, Topkapi Palace is an excellent museum, the halls of which picturesquely display the wealth and splendor of the Ottoman Empire. No palace in the world can boast such a fabulous location - on the cape, which is called the Palace, wedged between the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn Bay, on one of the seven hills of Istanbul.
The official residence of the Turkish sultans since 1853 was the Dolmabahce Palace - luxurious, pompous, built to compete with the abodes of European monarchs. The construction was initiated by Sultan Abdulmecid, and his idea was a complete success: the new palace in the Baroque style gave the shores of the Bosphorus a special charm, as every visitor can see. It is also famous for the fact that the first president of Turkey, Mustafa Ataturk, died here in 1938. Its area is 4.5 hectares, the palace has 285 rooms. Currently, Dolmabahce is used as the Istanbul residence of the Prime Minister of the Republic.
On the Asian side of the Bosphorus there is another famous palace - Beylerbey. It was built in the 60s of the 19th century as the summer residence of the Ottoman rulers. The order for construction, which lasted four years, was given by Sultan Abdul Aziz, who, ironically, spent the last four years of his life here since his deposition in 1912. The palace has several halls, the most famous is the entrance hall, inside which there are pools and even a fountain. In the interior, magnificent lamps are striking, most of the lampshades of which were painted by our compatriot Aivazovsky.
Once you find yourself in the European part of Istanbul, which is very lively and noisy, be sure to visit the Rumelihisar fortress, which was built in 1452 at the behest of Sultan Mehmed Fatih on the picturesque shore of the strait. This place in the city is very calm and peaceful, and the fortress itself has the status of a museum. Its architectural ensemble is based on three main towers: Saruja Pasha, Halil Pasha and Zaganos Pasha. Those who climb up will be treated to an impressive panorama of the Bosphorus and the Asian side of Istanbul.
Haydarpasa Station is one of the most beautiful historical buildings in the city. This monumental structure is a company "Anatolian railways"built in 1906-1909. The station was conceived as a western terminal for lines leading from Hejaz and Baghdad. The building is made in the neoclassical style; Helmut Konu and Otto Ritter, architects from Germany, worked on it. Haydarpaşa Station was used for its intended purpose until 2012.
All sights of Istanbul
Museums of Istanbul
The symbol of Turkey and the calling card of the country are dervishes - Muslim monks leading an ascetic lifestyle. But they became famous not only for their abstinence, but also for their traditional dance, performed in long snow-white robes. You can see this hypnotic choreographic performance with your own eyes at the Whirling Dervishe Museum in Istanbul, the building of which is surrounded by luxurious blooming garden. The museum has a hall that occupies the entire ground floor, which is intended for dancing.
Bearing in mind that the Ottoman Empire was a powerful state, you can visit the exhibition of the Military Museum in the Harbiye area, which is north of Taksim Square, famous for its political actions. Previously, the Military Academy was based in this ancient building. The museum has as many as 22 exhibition halls, containing about 10 thousand exhibits. Of particular interest is the collection of firearms, covering the period of the 16th-20th centuries. A separate hall of the museum is dedicated to the founder of the modern Turkish state, Ataturk.
It will be interesting to visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, which is located on the lively Sultanahmet Square. The building, this is the ancient palace of Ibrahim Pasha, immediately attracts attention: it is made of dark brick and somewhat resembles a small fortress. Within its walls are stored priceless works not only of Turkish, but also of other world civilizations united by the Islamic religion. Of particular interest to visitors are the authentic exhibits, from which one can judge how representatives of high society lived during the heyday of the Ottoman Porte.
On the main square of Istanbul there is also a wonderful Museum of Mosaics, which is based on a unique archaeological find, namely the magnificent mosaics that decorated the palace of the Byzantine emperors and the portico in the covered gallery. They were discovered along with the peristyle of the residence of the rulers of the Byzantine Empire and well-preserved fragments of columns of the Corinthian order. The total area of the “mosaic finds” is impressive; it is 2 thousand square meters. m. Today it is known that the exhibits of this museum are much older than the collections exhibited in the Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church.
Entertainment and relaxation
You will never be bored in Istanbul, since, without exaggeration, it is able to give a festive atmosphere and offer a huge amount of entertainment for every taste. First of all, fans of night activities will like it here, because Istanbul is active 24 hours a day. The choice of varied nightlife entertainment in the city is incredibly large: Turkish bars, nightclubs, dance floors and beach discos. In many establishments you can listen not only to modern music, but also Turkish folk music, as well as enjoy belly dancing and theatrical performances. In addition, Istanbul can rightfully be called the “city of festivals”, where large-scale events take place every year. Of these, the most famous are the International Jazz Festival, the Istanbul Film Festival, the International Istanbul Music Festival and the International Istanbul Tulip Festival.
For family vacationers, we recommend visiting the Istanbul Zoo with a variety of animals, birds and a small Japanese garden. Also interesting are the unique miniature park “Miniaturk”, the Tatilya amusement park and the most beautiful city parks.
Turkish baths and hammams are also incredibly popular among tourists, where you can join the locals and feel like a real Istanbul resident. To others interesting entertainment could be a ferry excursion to the Princes' Islands, which are a popular holiday destination. In addition, in Istanbul you can relax, sunbathe and swim on one of the many city beaches on the Bosphorus coast.
Shopping in Istanbul
Istanbul is not only an eventful history and priceless cultural heritage, but also bazaars, markets and shopping centers. In this regard, the city on the Bosphorus resembles a real oriental fairy tale that has become reality.
Numerous tourists never pass by the magnificent Grand Bazaar - one of the largest covered markets in the world. Just imagine: it unites 61 shopping streets, which contain about 4,500 shops, more than a dozen warehouses and over 2,100 studios. Not to mention the fact that under its roof there are 12 mosques, 18 fountains, several cafes, exchange offices, a school and even a bathhouse. Turks call the main Istanbul bazaar, which is visited by more than 500 thousand visitors daily, “Kapalı çarshi”. Someone wittily remarked that his visit, which begins as a feast for the eyes, ends... in mourning for the wallet. The range of goods is so wide that your eyes really run wild and it’s simply impossible to resist buying.
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
The second most popular market in Istanbul by area is Misir Carsisi, or Spice Market. It is also called the Egyptian Bazaar. It is located in the historical center of the city, namely in the Eminonu quarter, at the very entrance to the Golden Horn Bay. The market houses 80 shops under its roof. Experienced gourmets already know that the local assortment is not only wide, but also exclusive: you will certainly find something that is not available in other retail outlets. Buyers can choose from, in addition to spices, cosmetics and perfumes, medicinal herbs and medications, dried fruits and even groceries.
And now welcome to the Akmerkez shopping complex, opened in 1993 and especially popular among tourists. After staying here, your wallet will also be pretty thin. But how can you resist buying great clothes, branded shoes, accessories and high-quality household appliances? In addition to shops and boutiques, Akmerkez unites several offices and bank branches, entertainment centers and beauty salons, cozy cafes and restaurants. It is very convenient to move around the shopping complex, because it has 43 elevators, two of which are panoramic.
The Canyon shopping complex is also worth a visit, notable for the fact that Times magazine included it among the top five attractions in Istanbul. It resembles a city within a city. It has its own “squares”, “streets” and “houses”, by which we mean shops. Connoisseurs of such brands as Douglas, Fresh Line Homemade Cosmetic, Wagamama, Bally will especially like this place. In the evenings, “golden youth” gather in bars, cafes and restaurants of the Canyon. Movie lovers are not left out either, at the Mars Sinema cinema with nine spacious halls.
MetroCity, located in the Levent business district, is considered one of the most modern shopping centers of the former Constantinople. The building has four floors and is equipped with 5 regular and 3 panoramic elevators. In the shops of the shopping complex you can find goods from both local brands and European manufacturers. The total area of retail outlets, which includes expensive boutiques, is about 60 thousand square meters. m. Metro City has its own bars, cafes and several restaurants, not to mention pizzerias and eateries. On the ground floor there is playground for children, next to which there is a large aquarium inhabited by... who do you think? A real shark!
Kitchen
Istanbul has an incredibly large number of gastronomic establishments offering all kinds of cuisines from the world. First of all, you should pay attention to Turkish cuisine, which is considered one of the most refined and rich in the world. As appetizers (“meze”), preference is given to olives, various salads with olive oil, stuffed tomatoes, rice grape leaves and much more. The first course is traditionally served with vegetable chorba soup and dzhadzhik soup made from fresh cucumbers and yogurt. And the main menu includes dishes from seafood, meat and vegetables.
The most famous Turkish dish is kebab - finely chopped meat on skewers. Also worth trying are kofte (meat balls with spices and onions), manti and pilaf made from rice or coarsely ground wheat. Various seafood products are no less popular: squid, sea bass, shrimp, swordfish, lobster, etc. Vegetable dishes in Istanbul include stewed (“gyuvec”) and stuffed (“dolma”) vegetables, as well as beans and beans.
Beer Ephesus
Public transport
Buses, trams and taxis operate around Istanbul. The metro, funiculars and ferries operate. Every day, according to statistics, over 5 million passengers use public transport here.
Buses are usually overcrowded and most lack air conditioning, so tourists, especially business people, are not very fond of this type of transport. In addition, moving around the city using it is not very convenient, since buses often get stuck in traffic jams, and all due to the lack of dedicated traffic lanes (which, by the way, cannot be said about trams).
Some tips for those who want to use taxi services in Istanbul. Give preference to bright yellow cars with the words “taksi” on the roofs. They are considered official and are equipped with digital counters. The driver must turn on the meter in front of you. If while driving you see that it is not working, you have every right to demand a stop and get out immediately.
A trip on a ferry, which has become the “transport symbol” of Istanbul, significantly saves time. Usually it is used if you need to get from the European part of the city to the Asian part, and vice versa. Ferries depart every half hour and are valid only with a regular ticket. public transport. Ferries also operate to other cities in the country, such as Mudanya and Yalova.
Safety
Surprisingly, among the world's megacities, the crime rate in Istanbul is one of the lowest. Such a favorable situation has developed here thanks to the effective measures of law enforcement agencies and the activities of the international project MOBESE. Today, most streets in Istanbul are equipped with surveillance cameras, and the local police are mobile and well equipped. However, despite this, reasonable safety measures should not be neglected. This applies primarily to crowded places (bazaars, transport, etc.). It is also not recommended to take walks in the dark, especially in the areas of Zeytinburnu, Kumburgaz and Fatih.
Hotels and accommodation
There are a lot of hotels in Istanbul, they are located not only in tourist and business areas, but also in residential areas, lost among ordinary buildings. In addition to the word “hotel,” their signs proudly display stars. Tourists are sometimes deceived into believing that they are evidence of high level service. But it is not always the case. Stars often talk about the vanity of the owner, rather than about the service corresponding to their amount.
The location of the hotel does not particularly affect its pricing policy. A luxury hotel can be found in a suburban residential area, while a budget hotel can be found in the vicinity of the most popular tourist spots. Accommodation in Istanbul is chosen based primarily on price, not the area.
If you come to Istanbul to explore the sights, it is better not to settle on the Asian shore of the Golden Horn. This way you will save both money and time. IN otherwise You will start your day with a ferry ride to the European part of the city. Next, when choosing between the northern (Beyoğlu) and southern (Sultanahmet) shores of the Golden Horn, think again about the purpose of the trip: if you want to view architectural monuments and walk around the bazaar, then choose the south, and if you want to explore the shops of Çukurcuma and taste raki in the evenings, you will prefer north.
Four Seasons, one of the most famous in the city, occupies the premises of... a former prison.
Among other first-class hotels in Istanbul, the Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel stands out, located in the city center in the Sultanahmet district, which received the World Travel Awards medal as the best in Turkey in 2015. A member of the World's Leading Hotels, Swissotel The Bosphorus is a luxury hotel surrounded by large gardens and offering stunning views of the Bosphorus.
In Istanbul, it is worth keeping in mind that the stated price of hotel apartments is not always final. If a potential guest starts to bargain, the hotel owner at some point will not be able to resist and will significantly reduce the price. True, it is not customary to bargain in all hotels - for example, in top-class hotels it is considered inappropriate.
How to get there
Flights from Russian Federation to Istanbul are carried out daily - both direct and connecting. The main airport is Ataturk International Airport. It is located in the European part of the city, 24 km from its historical center. The airport has two terminals; international flights are served by only one of them, designated by the letter “A”.
Direct flights Moscow-Istanbul depart from the capital's Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports. Passengers spend an average of 3 hours and 10 minutes in the air. Airlines such as Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines operate flights between the two cities.
In addition, Turkish Airlines provides air connections to Istanbul from a number of other Russian cities - St. Petersburg, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Sochi. Connecting flights are operated by the same Aeroflot, as well as by Ural Airlines, Belavia, Air Moldova, Air Serbia and other carriers.