Istanbul History

Istanbul attracts around 15 million tourists annually, and it's considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. On average, approximately 50-60% of tourists who visit Istanbul are specifically interested in its history and culture.

Now, what is this history that makes Istanbul so much exciting place to visit?

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, was known as Constantinople before becoming Istanbul. The Roman Emperor Constantine the Great founded the town in 330 AD, and it was named after him.

It served as the capital of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Constantinople became the capital of the Byzantine Empire and played a significant role in the history of the Eastern Mediterranean.

During the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important cities in the world and was known as the "New Rome."

In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, and it became the Ottoman Empire's capital. The city was officially renamed Istanbul in 1930.

What this mini-series Rise of Empires: Ottoman on Netflix. Ottoman sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, shaping the course of history for centuries.

Watch this mini-series before walking to Hagia Sophia.

Hagia Sophia was built in 532-537 AD. Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine architectural and artistic masterpiece. It was the main church of the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a mosque. It was officially converted into a museum in 1935.

Another exciting video to watch is The History of the Ottoman Empire - 1299 - 1922 by Knowledgia channel on Youtube.

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Viewing these videos will enhance your experience visiting the historical part of Istanbul. If you find my tips helpful, kindly consider buying me a bag of cat food, as I am actively helping stray cats and dogs in Istanbul.

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