Istanbul: Turkey

Istanbul: Turkey
Istanbul (Turkish: İstanbul; contraction of the city’s previous Greek name Constantinople ) is the largest city in Turkey, and arguably the most important. It is located on the Bosphorus strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn (Turkish: Haliç), in the northwest of the country. It is officially in both Europe and Asia, but is generally considered European. The city is also the administrative capital of Istanbul Province. Its population is between 11 and 15 million people, making it, by some counts, one of the largest cities in Europe.
Originally founded by Greek colonists as Byzantium, it was made the seat of government in 324 CE by the Roman Emperor Constantine; Byzantium was renamed Nova Roma (New Rome) but this name failed to impress and the city soon became known as Constantinople, the City of Constantine. Then, after the Roman Empire split in two, it became the capital of the eastern half, known as the Byzantine Empire. This empire quickly became distinctly Greek in culture and the centre of Greek Orthodox Christianity and was adorned with many impressive churches including the once world’s largest cathedral: Hagia Sophia. The seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople, spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church is located in Istanbul until our days. After the Fall of Constantinople to the invading Turks,in 1453, Constantinople became part of the Ottoman Empire and soon its capital. Before the conquest Turks called the city İstanbul, but officially used the name Qusţanţaniyyeh, which means “City of Constantine� in Arabic. Only on March 28, 1930, was the city officially renamed Istanbul.
Places to visit in Turkey
Istanbul was (and still is) a cultural and ethnic melting pot. As a result, there are many historical Mosques, Churches, Synagogues and Palaces to visit in the city. A few of these are
Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
The Spice Bazaar, Istanbul
Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Blue Mosque
Suleiman Mosque
Istiklal Avenue
Basilica Cistern
Bulgarian St Stephen Church (also known as Bulgarian Iron Church)
Golden Horn
Galata Tower
Prince’s Islands
Dolmabahçe Palace
Taksim Square
Beyoglu
Bebek fish restaurants
Arap Mosque
The cross-continent European walking route E8 trail begins/ends here, running 4700km to Cork, Ireland.