If the earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital. - Napoleon Bonaparte

Istanbul, a universal beauty where poet and archeologist, diplomat and merchant, princess and sailor, northerner and westerner screams with same admiration. The whole world thinks that this city is the most beautiful place on earth. - Edmondo De Amicis

Located in the center of the Old World, Istanbul is one of the world's great cities famous for its historical monuments and magnificent scenic beauties. It is the only city in the world which spreads over two continents: it lies at a point where Asia and Europe are separated by a narrow strait - the Bosphorus. Istanbul has a history of over 2,500 years, and ever since its establishment on this strategic junction of lands and seas, the city has been a crucial trade center.

The historic city of Istanbul is situated on a peninsula flanked on three sides by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It has been the capital of three great empires, the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and for more than 1,600 years over 120 emperors and sultans ruled the world from here. No other city in the world can claim such a distinction.

ISTANBUL OVERVIEW ; İstanbul 2010, European Capital of Culture.

Seas and land have divided the lacework geography of Istanbul into four pieces. Old Istanbul City and Galata in the shores of Golden Horn and previously different village now united residential districts are located along the straits of Bosphorus. As the smallest sea of the world, inhabited places along the shores of Marmara Sea shows the magnitude that the city has reached. The Old City is spread over the seven hills of the triangular peninsular surrounding it with 22km of city walls. This is a historical settlement area called Byzantine, New or Second Roman Empire, Constantinople or Polis over the years. Marmara and Golden Horn city wall partially vanished over time; the actual landside city walls, however, have relatively survived till today.

Larger west side of triangular peninsular is landside city walls, two other sides are sea-side city walls and cape side on the east is the sea shore of Topkapi Palace. This is the first, the widest and the longest of all seven hills. The palace is like a city within the city, surrounded by city walls, forming a sophisticated structure that exhibits very important and unique works. Two unique places of festive days, Aya Irini (Haghia Irene) and Istanbul Archeology Museum – also an important and unique structure of its kind –, are positioned in the first courtyard of the palace. 8th wonder of world Aya Sofya Museum, as much famous as its beauty Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, Yerebatan Palace Basilica are place on the plain of the first hill.

Second hill is the place of the oldest and the biggest “Kapali Carsi / Covered Bazaar”. Nuruosmaniye Mosque and the remaining gift from Roman capital city times - Cemberlitas Pillar - are located here. While Suleymaniye Mosque is placed on the third and Fatih Mosque on the fourth hill of Istanbul, an aqueduct from the Roman times stretches between the two hills. Sehzade Camii and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building are placed here. Providing the water supply of the city in old times, gigantic Roman time open-air water basilicas are place in higher hills. Sultan Selim Mosque on the fifth and Kariye Museum are on sixth hill’s slopes. Passing over the tops of those hills, starting from Ayasofya square, reaching to the gates by branching out, the roads follow the Roman route. Marking the territory on the west, three-row fortified landside city walls are splendiferous examples of Roman military architecture. The city walls reach out to Eyup-Golden Horn (Halic) in the north. Giving its name to the hosting district, Eyup Sultan Camii is known to be the first mosque built in the city.

Golden Horn (Halic) is a bay with 8km. length, narrow, curly as a horn. Unique and magnificent city silhouette of Istanbul can best be enjoyed from sea, from the sea shores of Asian side and from the ferries departing at the entrance of Golden Horn (Halic). Cleansing of Golden Horn is done long ago, fishes returned, enriched with surrounding parks and garden, awaiting the remnants of the old dockyard to be removed. Orthodox Patriarchate and tiny Bulgarian Church are connected to the other side with the old Galata Bridge. Newly established privately owned by Koc family, Koc Museum exhibits interesting objects. Golden Horn has acquired a new sightseeing destination with the machete park, called Miniaturk, holding miniatures of renowned architectures of Turkey.

Galata district and its Beyoglu (Pera) extension carries a significantly different outlook than the old city. Symbolized by Galata Tower, with its uphill roads reaching up Beyoglu, this neighborhood carries and preserves the features of architecture, built under the influence of age-old European architecture. Second oldest subway of Europe, Tunel, still preserves the title of ‘shortest subway’. Upper end of the Tunel is the beginning of İstiklal Street. Apart from reinstalled old tram, it is a pedestrian-only street, surrounded by consulate buildings allocated in early times.

Divan Literature Museum is in the Mevlevi Tekkesi (a building for rituals of a Sufi order built in 18th century). In the midst of the street, famous Galatasaray High School is located just across Cicek Passage with its colorful, authentic restaurants, fish and fruit markets. With all the cinemas, theaters, cafes, restaurants and entertainment centers, line up to the Taksim square, İstiklal Street has joined its longed lively, crowded days and nights. Symbolizing Kurtuluş Savaşı (Salvation War), Ataturk and his friends, embellishes Taksim Square as a monument. Main terminal of new metro subway is placed under Taksim Square and Ataturk Culture Center is located in the north of it.

Enjoying the magnificent view of Suleymaniye Mosques from renovated Galata Bridge is priceless. Valide Mosque and Egyptian Bazaar are just across the bridge. Initially built for spice merchants, with its 100 shops, it is the second largest and crowded place of the city. Shops range from spices, dried fruits to various goods inside and fish, flower and fruit shop outside. Ports in the both sides of the bridge are the starting point of regular domestic ferry lines to the Asian shores, Uskudar, Kadikoy, Bosphorus and the Islands. Fish and bread sold in the small boats go best with the scenery of Istanbul’s straits and become source of inspiration for poems and songs. 

Bosphorus straits are extended to Black Sea as a curly river, its 30km length can only be seen from an airplane; in its shores holds a view of a lake in every turn from the cape. Sea shores are embellished with palaces, mosque, sea side mansions, giving their color reflected to the sea. The Old City Walls and two suspension bridges witness this beauty of nature. White seagulls follow white ferries. While yachts and ships run down in the dark blue waters, a huge tanker appearing like a black ghost bringing its dangerous load from Black Sea may try to pass this unique beauty passage by threats.

 For more information, Please visit the İstanbul 2010, European Capital of Culture.

More About ISTANBUL

1- The Guardian (British Daily) : Ancient tradition, a lively cultural mix and a fiercely proud history make Istanbul a truly unique city. Why visit one city when you can discover three? Historic Byzantium, Constantinople and modern Istanbul all packed in to one bustling, electric melting pot.

Here, East meets West, Europe meets Asia and ancient mingles with new. Called the crossroads of the world, today you’re as likely to sip cocktails in chic bars and shop for designer fashion as discover historic buildings and haggle in bazaars. Make the most of your visit with these 10 must-do (http://www.theguardian.com/hilton-weekends/2014/jun/02/top-10-things-to-do-in-istanbul).

 2- Top Things to Do in Istanbul : http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293974-Activities-Istanbul.html

 3- Istanbul My Love : http://www.turkishclass.com/turkey_essay_153

 4- Istanbul 2020 Olympıc Games Advertisement : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO12t6IrHLY

 5- Istanbul Advertisement film : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA9tAPpwvUs

Pictures of İstanbul (click on the pictures to enlarge)