Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul is not the capital of modern Turkey, but it has been the capital of three Empires: Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman. Few cities in the world have undergone such radiation throughout history. In 1923 during the creation of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal, who wanted to end six centuries of Ottoman Empire, decided to transfer political and legislative power in Ankara. Today, after 90 years of decline, Istanbul regained its international prestige, it will be in 2025 in the 15 richest cities in the world, its economy represents 27% of national GDP of Turkey itself the 16th world economy . Istanbul attracts, last year more than 12 million tourists visited, making it the fifth tourist destination. All the major chains and global groups are present, it is one of the cities with the largest growing economic of the moment. The height of buildings in the business districts contrast with the old city and the Bosphorus yalis World Heritage of UNESCO. Istanbul has all the ingredients to become an international capital in the future, but to understand this megalopolis in depth, it is important to look into his past.

Some History

Byzantine era:

In the 7th century BC Greek colonists from Megara led by King Byzas based Byzantium (Constantinople). According to legend, King Byzas would have consulted the oracle at Delphi who advised him to create his city opposite of "those who do not see." Arriving in the Istanbul area, they found the village of Chalcedon (Kadıköy today) on the Asian side of the Sea of ​​Marmara. The geographical location of Chalcedon, down the peninsula controlling entry of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn and his men brought Byzas to say that Chalcedonians were blind, so they created their city on the peninsula or of Sarayburnu Seraglio is now Sultanahmet. This strategic location to monitor maritime traffic between the Aegean and the Black Sea and the Silk Road and freight traffic between Europe and Asia, allowed immediately to Byzantium to develop and to become an important commercial center.

In 513 BC, Athens and Sparta are fighting alliance with Byzantium, then the warehouse of the Greek world. As at the time of the Bosphorus is the lock where wheat, honey, leather, wax and slaves password, King Darius of Persia conquered the city and undermines the rule of the Greeks over the region in the cutting off their supplies. After the Greeks had conquered the city, then it follows years of war between the Athenians, Spartans and other cities for its domination. During the reign of Alexander the Byzantine soldiers victoriously défendendirent of the Macedonian attack and then regained their independence.

Roman era:

Greece came under the tutelage of Rome and Byzantium as well, but it maintains an independent status. In 192, after the assassination of the Emperor Commodus by his slave Narcisse, Byzantine sided with support Prescennius Niger against Septimius Severus. In revenge, Septimius Severus besieged the city for three years. She finally surrendered and it left her in a state of ruin. Subsequently, he decided to raise the punishment of Byzantium and built beautiful monuments like the Hippodrome, palaces and baths. It also surrounded the city with new walls. In 324, Constantine, the Emperor of the Christian Roman Empire, decided to shift his capital from Rome to Byzantium. He then gave him the name Nea Roma (New Rome), and there erected a palace, a forum, baths, the first basilica of Hagia Sophia and decided to enclose the seven hills of the city in a wall (like Rome). The city was built in just 6 years. In 395 the Roman Empire was divided into two and the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire was renamed Constantinopolis (Constantinople).

To the 6th century the city experienced considerable expansion but during the reign of Justinian, a revolt broke out: the revolt of Nika (Nika Revolt) and the town was burned. Justinian then rebuilt the destroyed city and decided rennover St. Sophia Basilica of majestic manner. For this, he used the columns of the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the marble stones of Egypt and Syria. The site ends in 537. then ensuing five centuries of prosperity or the city, and the Byzantine Empire resist invasions Arabs, Persians, Mongols and Vikings.

Ottoman:

In the 15th century the Ottoman Turks who conquered Asia Minor and the Balkans, surrounded the Byzantine Empire. The Ottomans, led by the young Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror (Fatih Sultan Mehmet) built castles to control the Bosphorus Strait and prevent enemy fleet to spend. On 28 May 1453, after two years of siege, the final assault is launched. Muslims seized Constantinople and mark the end of the Byzantine Empire and thus the end of the Roman Empire. The arrival of the Byzantine intellectuals in Italy after the conquest of Constantinople is often seen as a precursor of the later Middle Ages and marking the beginning of the renaissance.

On 29 May 1453 the city was declared the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Immediately after taking possession of the city, they undertake a range of work. They transform the church of Hagia Sophia into a mosque and built the Topkapi Palace (1459) and magisterial and magnificent mosques (Suleymaniye 1558 Blue Mosque in 1668). The transformation of St. Sophia is symbolizing the victory of the Ottomans and Islam. The city was then raised by a new momentum, and becomes a capital full part in the world of art, commerce and architecture. Sultans beautify and restore the city, including tanks and Roman baths, later known as "Turkish baths". The city then has a standard of living and higher than the European average hygiene. This reign reached its peak during the period of Suleiman the Magnificent who created many works with his architect Sinan lighthouse known as to be the greatest architect of the Empire. 

The Ottomans were very tolerant and respectful of the beliefs of the communities. For example, they have not changed the name of the city when he took out of respect for the emperor Constantine. During their reign, Constantinople was cosmopolitan, it was a crossroads of civilizations, religions and an example of tolerance. The judicial system allowed each community to benefit from a decision-making power on certain rules. The many churches, synagogues located throughout Istanbul are the greatest proof of the respect that existed between communities.

Istanbul Today:

Since the early 2000s, Istanbul is booming economic growth of the city is in double digits and its cultural aura explodes. The city hosts dozens of international fairs and festivals, universities getting better classified, the mayor restores cultural heritage of the city, a third bridge over the Bosphorus and the largest airport in the world is under construction, the creators of Istanbul become more sides and a world-renowned art scene was created. Despite all these embellished, youth stambouliotte came out on the streets in 2013 to protest uncontrolled urbanization and totalitarian drift of government. After months of peaceful revolts, this dynamic and educated youth went back to work with a mission to write smoothly Istanbul's history. In April 2014, Istanbul was voted best destination in the world in the competition "Traveller choice 2014" with millions of users of the site reference Trip Advisor. The future is bright on the banks of the Bosphorus.

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Take care guys.