Istanbul

Istanbul's tale is one of enduring greatness, dating back to antiquity when it was known as Byzantium. In 330 AD, it was reborn as Constantinople when Emperor Constantine the Great made it the capital of the Roman Empire.

For over a millennium, Constantinople thrived as the center of the Byzantine Empire, adorned with magnificent churches and fortifications, including the iconic Hagia Sophia.

In 1453, the city witnessed a seismic shift in history when the Ottoman Empire, under Sultan Mehmed II, captured Constantinople. It became the imperial capital, Istanbul, and the Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque.

The Ottoman era saw Istanbul rise as a cultural and commercial hub, uniting diverse cultures under its banner. Grand palaces, mosques, and bazaars graced its landscape.

In the early 20th century, Istanbul became the heart of the new Turkish Republic, following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

Today, Istanbul stands as a vibrant metropolis, where historic treasures coexist with modern marvels, and where the Bosphorus Strait unites the European and Asian continents.