Turkey / Istanbul

Istanbul Overview

Istanbul is one of the world’s great cities. Located either side of the Bosphorus Strait on the Europe/Asia border, it’s a fascinating mix of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influences. İstanbul's strategic location has attracted many marauding armies over the centuries. The Greeks, Romans and Venetians took turns ruling before the Ottomans stormed into town and decided to stay – physical reminders of their various tenures are found across the city. The fact that the city straddles two continents wasn't its only drawcard – it was the final stage on the legendary Silk Road linking Asia with Europe, and many merchants who came here liked it so much that they, too, decided to stay. In so doing, they gave the city a cultural diversity that it retains to this day.

 

Art & Architecture

The conquering armies of ancient times tended to ransack the city rather than endow it with artistic treasures, but all that changed wi ...

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