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Istanbul, which had been the capital of
Rome, Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, is one of the most interesting centers of the
world owing to its natural beauties, in addition to the historical structures which are
the heritage of these cultures.
Istanbul is situated like an open air museum on both shores of the strait which is 33 km
in length and separates the continents of Asia and Europe. We know that habitations had
existed in the whereabouts of Istanbul during the Neolithic age. The first habitation
succeeding these ones, came into existence in Kadiköy which was named Khalkedon in the
VII century B.C. The city that was founded later on the opposite shore of Khalkedon,
namely Byzantium, progressed rapidly because of its importance and became an important
center. This progressive city became subject to Roman sovereignty, was adorned with
temples and public squares during the period of Constantinus, and was surrounded with city
walls.
The city was made the capital of Rome in the year 330 and named Constantinapolis and,
after Rome was divided into two parts as the Eastern Rome and Western Rome, it was made
the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. Finally, when the Ottomans captured Byzantium in
the year 1453, Istanbul was converted into the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Many
historical works of art showing traces of these empires, have been able to survive up to
date. The obelisks belonging to the Roman period, which were used as ornaments of the
public square Sultanahmet, are still maintained in their places today. One of these is the
obelisk which Theodosius I had ordered to be brought from Egypt in the year 390; it is
18.54 m (61 ft) in height and seems magnificent today with the hieroglyph scripture on it.
Another column which is seen here is the braided column with a height of 20.68 m (68 ft),
which Constantinus VII had ordered to be erected in the year 944. The third column, formed
by three winding snakes, was ordered to be brought from the Temple of Apollon in Delphi in
the year 360 by Constantinus I.
The most important historical remain belonging to Byzantium is Hagia Sophia. Justinianus
had this most magnificent temple of the world constructed between the years 532-537 in the
place of a temple which had existed there formerly, and it contains very valuable mosaics
and is still visited as a museum today. St. Irene located at its side which Justinianus
had ordered to be constructed in the year 537, is also being used as a museum today. The
monastery of Chora, which attracts attention owing to the mosaic art works inside, and the
mosque of Fethiye are also historical works of art belonging to Byzantium and being
visited as museums at present.
When Istanbul was conquered by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453, the buildings of Byzantium
were repaired and new ones were built, and the architectural activities were continued.
For example, the magnificent Topkapi Palace the domicile of the Sultan and center of
government administration, was constructed. The palace which was built between the years
1472-1478, later acquired the identity of a great city of 700,000 sqm owing to the
extensions which the other sultans ordered to be made and to its population exceeding
10,000. It is a magnificent museum today which contains the seraglio and where the
treasures belonging to the Ottoman Empire are exhibited.
The Dolmabahçe Palace was constructed during the years 1843-1853 and the Ottoman sultans
started to live in it. Sultan Abdülaziz had the Palace of Beylerbeyi Palace constructed
on the opposite shore of the Bosphorus between the years 1861-1865. Besides these palaces,
which are used as museums at present, many buildings which have survived until today such
as the Kiosks named Küçüksu, Chalet, Malta and Aynalikavak, are also open to visitors
and are used as museums. In addition to these palaces, many historical mosques, which form
the silhouette of Istanbul, are also places worthy of visiting.
Istanbul is adorned with the works of the great architect Sinan, who was a master of
perfection during the Ottoman period in the 16th century. Some of Sinan's master works
which show his genius are; the Sehzade Mosque which he built for Prince Mustafa, son of
Süleyman the Law Maker in the years 1543-1548; the Mihrimah Mosque which he built in
1548; the Süleymaniye Mosque which he built in the years 1550-1557; and the Rüstem Pasa
Mosque, completely adorned with encaustic tiles of Iznik, which he built in the years
1550-1557. The Sultanahmet Mosque, which Sultan Ahmet I had ordered Sedefkar Mehmet Aga to
construct between the years 1609-1617, is one of the most important works of art worthy of
seeing in Istanbul because of the encaustic tiles therein.
The Archeological Museum of Istanbul situated near the Topkapi Palace, is one of the
richest museums of the world. There are many other museums in Istanbul besides this one,
such as The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Museum of Tapestry and Museum of Sadberk
Hanim. Istanbul, the city of beauties where the history and nature are interwoven,
maintains its quality of one of the most interesting centers in the world.
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