Istanbul is the only city established on two continents at the location where the continents of Asia and Europe are divided by a narrow sea strait, "Bosphorus", extending to Asia with its one arm and to Europe with the other. The city of Istanbul is on a peninsula surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn on three sides. The city has served in order as a capital to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, with 120 emperors and sultans ruling here for approximately 1,600 years.
The history of Istanbul goes back to 300 thousand years ago. The first traces of human culture were discovered in the excavations carried out in Yarımburgaz Cave on the banks of Küçükçekmece Lake. It is estimated that starting from 5,000 B.C., a concentrated settlement activity started in Çatalca, Dudullu, Ümraniye, Pendik, Davutpaşa, Kilyos and Ambarlı, led by Kadıköy Fikirtepe. The foundations of today's Istanbul were laid in 7th Century B.C. The city was reconstructed and made capital by Emperor Constantin in 4th Century B.C., maintaining its title of the capital for approximately 16 centuries thereafter. After it was captured by the Ottomans in 1453; its name, which was Constantinople was changed to Istanbul by Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror; starting to be deemed as one of the most important cities of Muslims. 50 years after the conquer, Istanbul was the biggest city in Europe.
Entering the 16th Century as a big city, Istanbul was damaged greatly in 1509 earthquake with thousands of buildings coming down in the earthquake which lasted 45 days. In 1510, it was almost rebuilt when Sultan Bayezıd II employed 80,000 people to do this. Hence, a great majority of works, which survived until today, have remained from this period.
Istanbul was occupied by the Allied Powers Ottoman Empire lost World War I to, in 1920. The country gained its independence after the War of Independence lead by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Istanbul's term as capital city came to an end when Republic was proclaimed in in 1923.
Today, Istanbul has the significance of Turkey's being largest and most beautiful city with its palaces, museums, churches and mosques; each more beautiful than the other and its skyscrapers, which are products of modernization, its restaurants, historical markets and international festivals. This metropolis, which develops each passing day, is also rising in the tourism market, too, with its airports, first class hotels and accommodation facilities and its historical and cultural riches.
Over 10 million people live in this great city with more than 30 neighborhoods, two suspension bridges; the Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge join European and Asian continents.
One of the two major districts on Asian continent is Kadıköy. The neighborhood, which embodies the shore road going along the districts of Maltepe and Kartal terminating at Pendik and Bağdat Street which is one of the five hundred best streets in the world, has the distinction of being the largest neighborhood in the Anatolian side. Üsküdar, the other important neighborhood of this side comes to the forefront with its historical structures. Leander's Tower from 18th Century and fountains, mosques and medressahs, distinguished specimens of Ottoman art, are in this neighborhood. Bosphorus with a deepest point at 120 meters and a length of 31 kilometers guides the waters of the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara. A magnificent scene accompanies the wooden seaside homes on the shores of Bosphorus from Üsküdar up to Beykoz, most of which were built in 17th Century. A major portion of these seaside homes, which had their best days during the reign of Sultan Ahmet III in the Tulip Age, were renovated. Kandilli, Çengelköy, Beylerbeyi and Anadolu Hisarı are the neighborhoods on this side which were able to survive. A big part of the city may be viewed from Çamlıca Hill with an altitude of 262 meters from the sea.
The European side, which is more active compared to the Asian side, not only accommodates the most crowded neighborhoods of the city, but also guides the trade life of Istanbul. The neighborhoods of Arnavutköy, Bebek, Tarabya and Sarıyer are on the European shore of the Bosphorus. Eminönü, famed for its Covered Bazaar and Galata Bridge; Istiklal Street with its cafés, bookstores, restaurants, bars and social and cultural events to address many different segments; Beşiktaş with its historical neighborhoods like Arnavutköy, Aşiyan, Bebek, Ortaköy and Yıldız, and Şişli with its active shopping areas like Harbiye, Nişantaşı and Osmanbey are among the most important neighborhoods of this side.
Having served as the capital of Ottoman Empire and Byzantine Empire, Istanbul accommodates rare art works of the world. Palaces, churches, mosques and fountains spread all over the city are Istanbul's most significant sites worth seeing. Palaces and summer palaces like Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Sait Halim Paşa Seaside Mansion, Beylerbeyi Summer Palace, Küçüksu Summer Palace, Maslak Mansions, Tekfur Palace and Tophane are musts for visiting. Today, most of these historical buildings are converted into museums.
Topkapı Palace Museum, Archaelogy Museum, Military Museum, Municipality Museum, Tiled Pavillion, Marine Museum, Carpet and Rug Museum, Mosaic Museum, Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Turkish Islamic Art Works Museum, Sadberk Hanım Museum, Istanbul Modern Arts Museum, Rahmi Koç Museum, Pera Museum and Paintings and Sculptures Museum are the museums which must be visited.
There are countless churches, mosques and synagogues that are the gifts of Muslims, Christians, Jews and people of many sects who have lived and are living together over the centuries in Istanbul. A large number of these buildings are not used for religious purposed. Santa Sophia, Beyazıt Mosque, Fatih Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Ortaköy Mosque, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Rüstem Paşa Mosque, Mihrimah Mosque, Sokulu Mehmet Paşa Mosque, Şehzade Mosque and Armenian Patriarchate, St Antoine Padoue Catholic Church, Santa Georgia Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Church, Neve Shalom Synagogue, Surp Krior Lusaroviç Armenian Orthodox Church, Ortaköy Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Church, Santa Irene Church, Saint Pierre Church, Santa Stephanos and Sakızağacı Surp Asdvazazin Cathedral are among the masterpieces to see.
Those wishing to go shopping in Istanbul may make use of modern shopping centers alongside of the traditional marketplaces-bazaars. The Covered Bazaar is still the trade center of the city with its 4400 shops, 40 commercial buildings, 19 baths and fountains, workshops and mosques. The Bazaar, which bears the features of Ottoman architecture, leads the sites tourists are most interested in. Spice Market and Sahaflar (old books market), Çukurcuma which is the favorite place of those looking for inexpensive ware and also antiques and Markiz Archade with an area of 2,500 m2 are traditional shopping sites of Istanbul.
Istanbul, which has an extremely colorful cultural-art life, has become even more active with International Istanbul Film Festival, International Istanbul Music Festival, International Istanbul Jazz Festival and International Istanbul Biennale organized since 1973 by Istanbul Culture Art Foundation. Balet shows, operas and theater performances meet art enthusiasts almost everyday. Art galleries, bookstores and art cafés are Istanbul's frequently met sites. Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Fair Palace, one of the most significant culture and trade centers of Istanbul, is available for conventions, seminars and similar professional events with its 26 conference halls accommodating 2,000 people.
One of the sites nature is best conserved in Istanbul is the Prince Islands. Kınalıada, Burgazada, Kaşıkadası, Heybeliada, Büyükada, Sedefadası, Yassı Ada, Sivri Ada, Kaşıkadası and Tavşan Adası are the islands lying parallel to the shore. Şile, at a distance of 70 km from Istanbul and one of the largest districts of Istanbul; Silivri, are favored especially in summer months.
Istanbul has two airports, one of which being Atatürk Airport on European side and the recently launched Sabiha Gökçen Airport on Anatolian side.
Visitors to Istanbul may opt for world famous five-star hotels or Ottoman type boutique hotels. Those wishing to stay in the city and close to all events may stay at world famous hotels like Ceylan Inter Continental, Hilton Istanbul, Istanbul Princess, Grand Cevahir Hotel&Convention Center, Hyatt Regency Istanbul and Four Seasons Hotel. Hotels like Polat Renaissance Hotel and Holiday Inn in Istanbul may be preferred due to their proximity to Atatürk Airport.
Those who want to see this large city on the two shores of the Bosphorus may enjoy the city only by sparing a few days.
