I visited Istanbul for two days during Jan 2008, a quick stop-over on my way from USA to India. This place was on my bucket list for a long time simply because of its location that gives you a bragging right.
Turkey is a transcontinental country, that occupies a unique geographic position, located mainly in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe.
Istanbul, formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is a transcontinental city in Eurasia, straddling the Bosphorus strait which separates Europe and Asia. Its commercial and historical center lies on the European side and about a third of its population lives in suburbs on the Asian side of the Bosphorus.
Founded under the name of Byzantion around 660 BCE, the city grew in size and influence, becoming one of the most important cities in history. After its reestablishment as Constantinople in 330 CE, it served as an imperial capital for almost sixteen centuries, during the Roman/Byzantine (330–1204), Latin (1204–1261), Byzantine (1261–1453) and Ottoman (1453–1922) empires. Under the name Constantinople it was the Ottoman capital until 1923. The capital was then moved to Ankara and the city was renamed Istanbul.
Since 7th century BC, Greek and after that Romans, control the trade from the Black Sea into the Aegean. Constantinople (Istanbul) was center of trade and exchange along the Silk Roads as it controlled Golden Horn, a natural harbor, and the Bosphorus, a narrow, natural strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, and the Aegean.
The Historic Areas of Istanbul are inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.
Photos below are from my two days visit to the city. The quality of photos are not that great, but still wanted to share them here.
Welcome to Turkey! Welcome to Istanbul! A beautiful Manhole Cover with Istanbul’s Coat of ArmsHagia Sophia, officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and formerly the Church of Hagia Sophia, is a place of worship in Istanbul. Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, it was the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire). In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935 the secular Turkish Republic established it as a museum. In 2020, it re-opened as a mosque. Hagia Sophia is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.The Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), is an Ottoman-era functioning mosque constructed between 1609 and 1616. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.Façade of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the blue mosque)Interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the blue mosque)Interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the blue mosque)At the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the blue mosque)The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the blue mosque)The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. The Grand Bazaar at Istanbul is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls of the world.A souvenir shop in the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı).Interior street of the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı).Main campus of Istanbul University, located in Beyazıt Square, is a prominent multi-disciplinary Turkish university with a history stretching back to 1453.The Bayezid II Mosque, constructed between 1500 and 1505, is Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Beyazıt Square, near the ruins of the Forum of Theodosius of ancient Constantinople.The New Mosque (Yeni Cami), originally named the Valide Sultan Mosque, constructed between 1597 and 1665, is an Ottoman imperial mosque situated on the Golden Horn, at the southern end of the Galata Bridge.Istanbul skyline with many Ottoman era mosques.Istanbul skyline with many Ottoman era mosques.One of many small boats, permanently docked on the waterfront of Istanbul, Serving fried fish food and other sea food.Seagulls are following Bosphorus sightseeing cruise.Turkbalon, Large balloon tied to ground by steel wires on Kadikoy Dock, has 360 degree perspective at a height of 200 meters. View of Karaköy (Galata) and the Galata Tower (built in 1348) from the BosphorusKaraköy, a happening harborside area where funky cafes and late-night cocktail bars mix with traditional neighborhood bakeries and family-run shops.Locals playing music and dancing on the streets of Karaköy, a happening harborside neighborhood.Turkish Tea, Baklava, and Kanafeh in a traditional neighborhood bakery in Karaköy. If I am not counting calories Kanafeh is my favorite, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and layered with cheese!The Beylerbeyi Palace, Beylerbeyi meaning “Lord of Lords”, an Imperial Ottoman summer residence built in the 1860s, located in the Asian side of the Bosphorus..Originally outside the city, yalı residences along the Bosphorus are now homes in some of Istanbul’s elite neighborhoods.The Bosphorus Bridge, known officially as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and unofficially as the First Bridge, completed in 1973, is the first bridge built across the Bosphorus strait, thus connecting Europe and Asia. The bridge extends between Ortaköy (in Europe) and Beylerbeyi (in Asia).The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, completed in 1988, is the second bridge built across the Bosphorus strait, connecting Hisarüstü (European side on the left) to Kavacık (Asian side on the right).Ortaköy Mosque, built in 1853, situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular locations on the Bosphorus.Rumelihisarı, also known as Rumelian Castle, a medieval fortress, built between 1451 and 1452, is located on a series of hills on the European banks of the Bosphorus.With a Local friend, working for Turkish ArmyEnjoying Turkish Tea on the BosphorusEnjoying dark Efes, the most popular Beer Brand in Turkey.
After a very short time in the largest city of Turkey, I continued my journey to India.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 