"If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul." Alphonse de Lamartine
With 2600 years of history, Istanbul, previously known as Byzance and Constantinople, was occupied by the Greeks, Romans, the Christians and then the Ottomans. Not surprisingly it has a hugely rich cultural and historic heritage.
This owes much to the fact that it straddles the European side and the Asian side of the Bosphorus, linking the Marmara and the Black Seas. To the south lie the Princes’ islands.
During its long history, the city has welcomed Christians, Armenians, Jews and Muslims and is heaving with countless examples of architecture reflecting this.
Balat: Colourful Houses, Atmospheric Cafés and Photo Ops
Ortaköy: Lively and Delightful
Büyükada, Princes' Islands, Turkey
Built by Sultan Abdülmecit, the 31st Sultan, between 1843-1856. Dolmabahce...
The Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has been the spiritual centre of the...
Near the pier, in the lane İmralı Sokak, there is a Greek Orthodox church of...
Close to the Hagia Sophia, the Istanbul Archeology Museum, the Blue Mosque,...
The Greek Orthodox church of St. Nicholas (Hagios Nikolaos) in Heybeliada...
The name of the Holy Trinity on Heybeliada is found in a famous list of...
A museum with over 4,000 toys and miniatures from Turkey and abroad; many of...
Panoramic 1453 Museum is the only museum where the entire hemisphere is...
In the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, Taksim Square is one of the most famous...
Sultan Ahmet I, ascended the throne at the age of 14 and by 19 he wanted a...
Topkapi Palace was built between 1460-1478. It bears traces of the nomadic...