Destination #3: Istanbul!

photo by belthelem

Off on a brand new adventure! This time I visit ISTANBUL! (not Constantinople!)

With a population over 11 million, Istanbul is the 4th most populous city in the world and the cultural and commercial hub of Turkey (though it is not the capital). Located on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents (Europe and Asia)! This geographic location is what has allowed Istanbul to thrive into the eclectic historically and cultural rich city that it is today, serving as a gateway between East and West. Indeed, it has seen it's share of historical greatness, serving as the capital city of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. Napoleon Bonaparte once said "If Earth was a single state, Istanbul would be its capital."

Istanbul has not always been called by that name. It was originally called Byzantium until the arrogant Roman Emperor Constantine I changed the name to Constantinople. Here's a sweet panoramic picture of "Constantinople" from the 1870s. Note all those boats! Istanbul has always been a major port city.


The city has a great mix of historic architecture and monuments, from the ancient Greek Maiden's Tower to the great Roman Column of Constantine to the Dolmabahçe Palace which served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire.

The city is home to many beautiful and historic churches and mosques however the epitome if Istanbul's architecture is the Hagia Sophia, a building which, since its construction in 532, has served as a cathedral, a mosque, and presently, a museum. Famous for its massive dome, the Hagia Sophia is considered the quintessential work of Byzantine architecture. Check it out:


And here's a neat video to learn more about this amazing place!



Wowee!

And while we are taking a look at sweet architecture, take a look at the stunning Blue Mosque!

And finally, check out these sweet links! First, some cool 360 degree views from around the city, and secondly some live traffic cams from all over Istanbul! NEAT!