Intersection of Europe and Asia; Istanbul
‘If the earth would be a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.’
Napoleon Bonaparte
Istanbul is one of the largest, most important and most beautiful cities in the world. The marvelous hills on both sides of the Bosporus constantly fascinate the city’s residents and visitors.
Istanbul has always been an inviting city throughout history with its influential location and mesmerizing natural beauty and still is. As being the capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman it was the center of attraction with its cultural diversity and embellished with splendid monuments. In the day time, while exploring the streets you can be confronted by several museums, churches, palaces, mosques and authentic bazaars. And in the evening, while sitting in a restaurant or a café which is located on the western shores of the Bosporus and watching the sunset and the reflection on the other continent you can understand why so many centuries this land was chosen to be settled.
The excavations which had been held in Yenikapi Theodosius Port revealed that the city’s history dates back to 8500 years. It was settled by Thracian tribes between the 13th and 11th centuries BC and colonized by Hellenes in the 7th century BC and the settlement they established here was named as Byzantium which is thought to be derived from the legendary king Byzas.
Byzantium remained as a small city until Emperor Constantine moved the capital of Roman Empire here in the 4th century AD. The city was named as Nova Roma by then and after Constantine’s death it was named as Constantinople. As it was representing a new era at the end of the dark period in which Christians were persecuted and became one of the most important cities in the history of Christianity.
In 15th century AD, the city was conquered by Ottomans. Serving as a capital of Ottoman Empire over 450 years it was named variously some as Konstantiniyye, Stanpolis, Dersaadet and Asitane and eventually as Istanbul. In this period, while the identity of the city was being shaped more oriental and adorned with magnificent Ottoman monuments also Christian and Jewish monuments kept preserved as an indication of the tolerance and respect to all religions.
Today, most magnificent monuments of Istanbul can be visited in Historical Peninsula, which is surrounded by Golden Horn, a natural cove harbor on the north, Bosporus, straight between Black Sea and Marmara Sea on the north and Marmara Sea on the south. In 1985, The Historic Areas of Istanbul was inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
The Modern Peninsula on the other shore of the Golden Horn was former district of Pera which means ‘the other’ in Greek. This quarter was settled by the Genoese and Venetians in the 12th century AD and inhabited mostly by Levantines, The Christian traders in Ottoman era. While exploring the Modern Peninsula, the western face of you can be confronted by embassies, churches and art nouveau buildings through the Istiklal Avenue and Ottoman summer palaces, large mansions, elegant wooden buildings through the shores of the strait.
Today Istanbul is a financial an economic center where international conferences, festivals, trade exhibitions, fashion shows, sports activities and art performances are being held. As being one of the most popular ‘Congress Travel’ center in the world, the city offers every kind of conference support and service with top level communication, transportation facilities and various choices of quality accommodation.