Istanbul Photo

From the top...

2011-09-21T18:38:00.001+03:00

From the top of a building in Beyoglu... Amazing, isn't it?

The Panorama

2011-09-21T18:32:00.001+03:00

Panoramic picture of Anadolu Kavagi by Seda

The frog

2009-11-12T12:19:00.002+02:00

He looks like he is busted!

Peace

2009-10-28T08:12:00.003+02:00

Istanbul by Toyga.

Truck with an attitude!

2009-10-22T14:15:00.002+03:00

It is clearly smiling! It is alive, isn't it? When I turned my back, I am sure he began to move!

While leaving summer...

2009-10-16T11:10:00.003+03:00

I noticed there are so many things to be missed...

Seeds of a palm tree

2009-10-15T14:00:00.003+03:00

I was amazed by the beauty of these seeds. Their texture and color were incredible and I guess timing was great to shoot them because lights and shadows were perfect just the way they should be...

I become a cliché when I say "I'll be back!" just like Schwarzenegger

2009-10-15T11:37:00.006+03:00

Do not get angry! I know, I know! It went way beyond of neglecting this blog. It is clearly forgotten. I have my reasons but I guess the main reason is that it felt like a regular job; I mean taking photographs... It used to be fun and I wanted to wait till it becomes fun again! I can't say I start to shoot regularly. Let me put it this way; photography and me -I mean we, are flirting...

Here you can see it with your own eyes. However; this is not a digital camera. This is a old fashion SLR. I know they are out but I can't myself loving them...

I hope my digital photos are on the way...

Love you all,

S.

The Cutest Dogs...

2008-11-12T13:51:00.004+02:00

Aren't they the cutest? They are sleeping like they own the sleep!

Silent View

2008-11-06T11:17:00.002+02:00

This photo is taken by my cousin. I couldn't help myself sharing :)

October 29th, The Republic Day

2008-11-04T12:37:00.004+02:00

October 29th in Istanbul, Bagdat Street. We are celebrating our Republic Day....

(Wikipedia- On October 29, 1923, the Turkish constitution was amended and Turkey became a republic. This formally declared the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) is celebrated throughout Turkey every year. Commemorative events usually begin in the afternoon on the previous day. )

On the Road

2008-11-03T12:44:00.002+02:00

This is not Istanbul. This is the road back (from a trip) to Istanbul!

Ice cream guys

2008-10-31T12:52:00.003+02:00

I was stuck in the traffic as you can see it and there were these guys who are selling ice cream to those in need! :)

If you are curious, I didn't buy anything. I couldn't trust it.

Glow

2008-07-17T20:06:00.000+03:00

As if it is smiling and crying at the same time...

A Mosque

2008-06-25T15:13:00.002+03:00

I don't know its name but looks very quiet and peaceful with lights and shadows...

Strange Bug

2008-06-12T11:13:00.003+03:00

This is my husband's hand capturing poor little guy/gal but it looks very calm and happy, don't you think? As if it is smiling?

Trojan Horse (not the computer virus)

2008-05-23T20:39:00.006+03:00

This is not about Istanbul but I want to show you guys some pictures from my trip. Truva - Troy as you know it- is one of the places I visited. I am sure you know the myth about Trojan War between Greeks and Trojans. Troy is in Çanakkale - Turkish city. There are lots of original archaeological remainings of Troy cities of different archaeological levels. However, this horse is symbolical. I don't know exactly when it is built but it gives you the great feeling of ancient times.

You can see me in it looking from the window and I guess that makes me Greek soldier, huh?

Turkish Breakfast

2008-05-22T18:58:00.003+03:00

I was missing again for some time because I was on vacation and I couldn't have time to let you guys know... I want to have fresh start with fresh Turkish breakfast... Enjoy!

Hidden beach!

2008-04-24T10:58:00.000+03:00

Enjoy the beautiful and uninterrupted scene...

Me and My Friend!

2008-04-14T14:31:00.004+03:00

I know it feels like I am cheating because it has been a week again since I last posted but I got my mac back yesterday and had to lend my camera for some time! Anyway this picture is taken by a cell phone so quality is not perfect but a friendship is.... So here we are with my friend Esra, hangin' out... I am on the left with black sweater and Esra is on the right with white one!

Computer Problem

2008-04-05T16:51:00.001+03:00

I coulnd't post this week because I had some computer problems. Hopefully I will have it back this week and keep up where I left!

Till then, lots of love to you all!

The Dead Shark

2008-03-27T11:07:00.003+02:00

This shark got caught to fishermen's net in Sile- northern part of Istanbul-. When they noticed they caught a shark, it was to late for this poor thing because it was already dead. They didn't leave the shark there and decided to use it as a tool of getting attention.

I felt pity for this little guy and when the fishermen saw me sad, they offered me the shark. I refused them, of course. Do I look like a girl with a dead shark collection?

A friend and a building

2008-03-26T11:07:00.003+02:00

You see one of my oldest friends in front of a beautiful building. It is just a regular scene on a regular day...

Amazing Sunset

2008-03-25T11:17:00.005+02:00

Hi to all! I wanted to start the week with a beautiful sunset... I took this one on Saturday while watching birds flying over the sea. The sky was even better than this picture. It was bluish purple first, then reddish purple and then pink... It went from one color to another. It was really amazing. Unfortunately, you will just get a glimpse of it.

PS: When I showed this picture, some of my friends thought colors are amazing because of Photoshop or some like that. But I can honestly tell you that, this is God's doing not technology's!

St. Anthony Church

2008-03-21T11:37:00.010+02:00

I really love the idea of having lots of very very old churches in Turkey although we are mostly Muslim populated culture. This is one of them. I didn't know its history very well so I searched a little and you can find detailed information below.

---

The Church of St Anthony of Padua, one of Beyoglu's most important monuments, is located about halfway between Taksim and Tünel on İstiklal Street. The church is known among Turks as ''Sen Antuan'', the phonetic reading of its name in French.

A saint is born...
St Anthony was born in 1195 in Lisbon, the first son of a noble family. At the age of 15, he joined the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. He later continued his education at the Convent of Santa Croce in Cóimbra. He and became a Franciscan preacher and later Minister Provincial of Emilia. Anthony died on June 13, 1231 and was buried in the small church of Santa Maria in Padua. He was canonized by Pope Gregory IX a year later. His remains were moved to a church built by the Franciscans and the Paduans, and Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church. St Anthony is the patron saint of fishermen, sailors and travelers, and his saint's day is June 13.
The Franciscans came to Istanbul in 1221 and built a church in Galata in 1230. This was the only Franciscan church in Istanbul for 350 years. The church was converted into a mosque under Sultan Mustafa II, and a new Franciscan church was built in Pera, dedicated to St Anthony. The stone church opened on October 29, 1763. However, in 1904, the church was torn down in order to make room for the new tram. The Franciscans began to look for a home on the same avenue for their new church, and chose the site of the former Concordia Theater, which had burned down in a major fire. The new church was designed by architects Giulio Mongeri and Edoardo De Nari. Construction began in 1906 and was completed in 1911.

PS: This article was taken from here.

Street Cats

2008-03-20T12:06:00.014+02:00

You can see lots of cats in the city of Istanbul! I know street animals are not very welcomed in many cities but I adore them. And I also think that these cats are the reason for Istanbulers don't have rat problem. Anyway, these ones were just hangin' out by the beach. They were so cute and clean that I couldn't help myself but to take their pictures. They also looked like they enjoy getting all the attention.

Spring

2008-03-18T15:49:00.005+02:00

I took a lot of pictures; however, I can't help myself posting spring flowers. Everything seems like flourishing and here you have some amazing flowers... I promise, next time I will try to post something different!

Daisies

2008-03-13T15:30:00.003+02:00

I think daisies are the cutest flowers ever. They always make my day. These days, gypsies sell these kind of daises everywhere. I am not sure but I think it is the season because daisies are literally popping out of grass.

These are the ones that my husband bought for me. Don't you think they are adorable?

The Pink Bank

2008-03-12T11:25:00.003+02:00

This building is pretty old and being used as a bank. It is very closed to where I live but I have never visited this bank. Looks very warm, doesn't it?

Visiting a museum in the city of Istanbul

2008-03-11T13:24:00.004+02:00

Hi everyone! I know I am guilty of not being here. I cannot explain why, but I didn't feel like taking pictures, writing or posting. However, spring gave me the insight and motivation. I didn't take lots of pictures so it is going to take time to fully recover the times I haven't been posting but I will try my best.

Here you see pair of guns from World War I. Personally I am not very fond of guns but these ones look very ancient and I thought they can be interesting to share.

Close look to the ancient city walls

2008-01-06T13:06:00.000+02:00

As we are in this brand new year, I hope everything will be much better this year. Thank you all for your nice comments and wishes... I have some persistent followers and those people make me always come back posting! Special thanks to you!!!

And let me start 2008 with a close look to the ancient walls of Istanbul by Bosphorus as a reminder of the past and hope of the future :)

The Ottoman Sultanate Boats

2007-11-07T19:35:00.000+02:00

I wasn't allowed to use flash at all and the light was dim; that's why picture quality isn't that great but the boats are amazing :)

Beyoglu

2007-10-31T11:14:00.000+02:00

Istiklal Street, Beyoglu is one of my favorite places in Istanbul. This place has a unique look and feel. With old buildings, churches, schools, bars, and so on, you can just find anything you are looking for.

I can't post :(

2007-10-25T23:53:00.001+03:00

I don't know why but I cannot post any pictures for some time. I'll keep trying...

Lonely Sunset

2007-09-28T11:39:00.000+03:00

This is picture perfect!
PS: This one is taken by my friend Ümit İnan...

Slippers or Shoes?

2007-09-24T13:44:00.001+03:00

I am not sure if these are slippers or shoes and I am not sure if there is anybody who wears these but looks funny and colorful...

Heybeli Island...

2007-09-19T21:48:00.000+03:00

In one of my earliest posts, I mentioned an island called Burgaz. This island is also one of the princes' islands. I like the other one better, don't know why...

Beauty in Red

2007-09-16T23:33:00.000+03:00

Looks amazing , doesn't it? I adore wild flowers...

Homesick

2007-09-14T13:00:00.001+03:00

Sometimes I get the feeling of homesickness. Currently I live in Istanbul, where I was born. So it means that Istanbul is my home! However, sometimes I feel like my home is far far away where I lived with my husband for a year - Redondo Beach! When I was living in LA, I got homesick time to time. Now I am at home so I shouldn't feel homesick, shouldn't I? I am so confused. I am in love with Istanbul, with all its history, architecture, people, etc but I can't stop thinking about the beauty of Pacific ocean, nature, sunshine and happy faces that I met everyday when I was in Redondo Beach. Can't I have it both? Where is my real home? Why do I always feel like some part of me belongs to somewhere else? Is it the consequence of being a world citizen? I am just curious...

Graveyard / Gravity

2007-09-10T09:44:00.001+03:00

I wonder what is the connection between gravity and grave? Gravitiy makes things fall in to earth. What about graveyards? Are those the places that we rest from our last fall - death? I don't know the word root but it seems like there is a connection between these two words. Anyone has any idea?

Are we in Stone Age?

2007-09-06T11:30:00.000+03:00

I must admit that this is not one of my favorite scenes of Istanbul. It is full of buildings and there is not enough place for trees or parks. I guess, we need our central park!

I am at Pierre Loti...

2007-09-04T15:53:00.001+03:00

I am back! At least for twice a week. I know I am betraying the spirit of daily photo blog but I really love this blog group and I don't want to leave it just because I am in a period that I can't find enough time to visit places, take pictures and post them here. But I am now confident that I should at least post something here twice a week. (thanks to my friend Esra- She keeps pushing me and Peter of course)

Anyways, This is the view from famous Pierre Loti. It is an ancient cafe place from Ottoman times. It is called after French writer Pierre Loti (real name was Julien Viaud). Julien Viaud visited Ottoman Empire as naval officer during 19th century and fell in love with the city of Istanbul. Then he started to live in Istanbul as if a local Ottoman subject wearing fez, etc and visited this cafe often. It is said that Turkish people of that time loved him very much and that's why this cafe was named after him.

Hello...

2007-07-23T15:06:00.001+03:00

I was and still am off to vacation and I am having hard time to find a place that I can connect to internet; that's why it has been hard for me to keep this blog up to date. It is summer and this situation is temporary. As Arnold says: "I will be back!" both for updating my blog and for visiting yours. Thank you very much for worrying about me! I am OK!

:)

Where is the destination?

2007-06-25T09:04:00.001+03:00

Looks nice, doesn't it?

Pigeon drinking water...

2007-06-20T09:34:00.000+03:00

I know... I know... I didn't have enough time to post anything to my blog and I don't have any excuse! However, I was dealing with health problems, strict deadlines at work and some family issues at the same time. I am not saying I will be able to post regularly as I used to do but I can say that I will be back to my old performance very soon...

Anyway, I got a very good pigeon picture here.... She should be very thirsty that she didn't care I came too close to take this shot!

Hisar

2007-06-08T07:53:00.000+03:00

Sorry guys for the delay, again! This time I caught a flu and I was trying to get better almost for a week. I have seen better days but I am back, again!

Couple of weeks ago, I saw this place while driving... Pure chance... It is around Anadolu Hisari and there is a great fish restaurant just by the canal. It looks like a Italy or some like that, don't you think?

What is this?

2007-05-30T09:33:00.001+03:00

Do you guys know this one's name? I see them everywhere and don't know what it is...

Under the bridge downtown...

2007-05-28T16:54:00.001+03:00

I was listening "Under the Bridge" and I saw this picture. I took it couple of weeks ago...This is not city of Angels but it is my city that becomes my companion through my tough days...

PS: Thank you all for your supports and insistence for my coming back. You guys motivated me...I was having some health problems. Fortunately they turned out to be OK.

Back? Not yet!

2007-05-28T09:23:00.000+03:00

Thank you all for your nice comments. I will be back as soon as possible...
Seda

Lovely morning by the sea...

2007-05-22T08:40:00.001+03:00

This spot is one of my favorites. There is a small restaurant just by the sea and you can watch people fishing, boats passing, and sometimes dolphins swimming...It is a great place.

Cotton Clouds...

2007-05-21T08:35:00.000+03:00

I love cotton clouds...

Fruit Time...

2007-05-18T08:26:00.001+03:00

This place is Mihrabat Woods. It has the greatest Bosphorus view in Istanbul with its green fields, resting places and of course its fruitful trees... It is not very often to find such a place in Istanbul and I didn't want to miss my chance. I had to try those intriguing fruits. I am not sure if these are plum or not but they tasted great. I am again live and kicking without getting poisoned. (At least these fruits don't have "wild" word in their name)

PS: If you enlarge the picture, you can even see the other bridge back there and all vehicles on the ride...

On the way home!

2007-05-17T08:39:00.002+03:00

I took this one yesterday! Kinda lonely and mystical scene, don't you think?

Technical Problem

2007-05-16T11:23:00.001+03:00

I don't know the reason but I can't post any photography today.
:(

I will be back as soon as everything gets back to normal...

Bagdat Street...

2007-05-15T08:48:00.002+03:00

Bagdat street is one of the chic streets in Istanbul with its uptown people, great shopping places and classy restaurants. If you ever visit Istanbul, you should visit Bagdat street by all means! And one more thing, girls always look gorgeous in this place...

Beauty in the dark!

2007-05-14T10:45:00.001+03:00

Hi everyone,

I couldn't post any picture because I was little sick. Now I am better and starting this week with lovely flower of the night!

Bridge from a different view!

2007-05-11T11:01:00.002+03:00

I love bridge photos! Just one more...

Evil Eyes...

2007-05-10T09:39:00.003+03:00

Some lady was selling these different kind of evil eyes on the street. It is for protection from evil eyes. It is a common belief in our culture that one wearing this evil eye cannot be hurt by the jealous/evil look. Better safe than sorry!

What is this?

2007-05-09T08:56:00.001+03:00

Today, I have questionnaire for you guys. I'll give the answer tomorrow morning. Till then I am waiting wild guesses... What is this?

Byzantine City Walls

2007-05-08T09:20:00.001+03:00

Istanbul coastal lines are walled in these ancient rocks... They were all build by Byzantine Empire for protection, especially protection from Ottoman Empire...

I like to see them in my city as a reminder of ancient history. It is nice to think about old days and old life styles...It triggers my imagination. I like to tell stories about these walls. My niece asks me every time we cross the Bosphorus bridge about the story of Byzantine Prince and Ottoman Princess (I made it up)...

What a house!

2007-05-07T10:07:00.001+03:00

Sorry for the 2 days- delay! I have been out catching some exciting views... I really had lots of fun visiting such nice places.

This house is just by the sea. Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge in the background (Fatih Sultan Mehmet is the name of Ottoman Sultan who had conquered Istanbul) is the second bridge in the world that connects Europe and Asia. First one is also in Istanbul. As far as I know, there is no other except for these two...

Anyway... It is not very easy to own such a house in Bosporus. You should be a millionaire but it is nice to dream about it, isn't it?

Collage of Burgaz Island

2007-05-04T11:34:00.001+03:00

It is again Burgaz Island. You see some girls exhausted from a hike at Burgaz Island- my self, on the far left, and 2 of my friends. (upper left picture) The rest is just some nature... By the way, the yellowish red things on the tree are wild berries. They were delicious. We were very surprised to find them on our way to eat something but we were already full by the time we reached little fish restaurant.
PS: You can click to see the larger version....

Morning Sun...

2007-05-03T08:45:00.002+03:00

On my way to work, sun was waking up. I caught her sleepy...

Unexpected Scenery

2007-05-02T08:45:00.001+03:00

You all know that yesterday was Labor Day. Unfortunately, we had lots of unpleasant incidents. Bridges ( there are two bridges in Istanbul that connect the European side and Asian side ) were almost closed and ferries and other transportations were not working. As you can imagine, traffic was like a hell. I wasted 3.5 hours to "try" to reach my work place but failed and came back home. On the way home, I took this picture. It is very unlikely to see such a scenery in Istanbul because we have more buildings than trees and lakes...But this one is exceptional. Don't you just love to see such places in city life!

Sunset...

2007-05-01T16:00:00.001+03:00

No comment for this one...Just a peaceful sunset...

Work Day!

2007-04-30T09:20:00.002+03:00

Monday means first day of the work! No wonder I don't like Mondays...Leaving sunny outdoor activities behind is getting harder when it is a warm and beautiful day. But we all have to work, don't we...

This is my work place... Hi from the 14th floor!

Sunny Sunday!

2007-04-29T13:44:00.001+03:00

Have a great Sunday you all!

Nameless Mosque

2007-04-28T12:18:00.001+03:00

It is such a shame that I don't know the name of this mosque. But the clouds and minarets looked so amazing that I felt I must share it with you guys... So here it is - nameless mosque!

Burgaz Island

2007-04-27T09:08:00.001+03:00

Burgaz Island (Greek Name is Antigoni) is one of the princes' islands. All the islands are districts of Istanbul. Burgaz is the one I like most. This house doesn't belong to me of course! Unfortunately! But the scenery was great and I couldn't help myself not taking its picture. If you don't have your personal boat or helicopter, taking ferries is the only way to get there. No motor vehicles allowed in the islands. Transportation is dependent on horses, bicycles and some like that. The island is very quiet during winter and autumn (and most beautiful) but in summer and spring it becomes one of the weekend get-away places.

In Byzantine days, these islands were used to exile royals... The faith of the island didn't change when the Ottoman Empire got the city. It was again a place to exile royals, not for the princes this time but for the sultans' unwanted family... I guess in 19th century, islands become popular as summer house places mostly for the Armenian wealthy families but the Turks were and are also inhabitants of the islands.

It is a great place to visit with ancient houses, churches, natural habitat and with tracking and swimming opportunities.

Istanbul Ferry

2007-04-26T09:09:00.001+03:00

These ferries are like symbol of this beautiful city! It is the easiest and probably the cheapest way to cross the Bosphorus strait. But is is not just about commuting. These ferries have the power to lighten people's day...You may encounter with dolphins, feed seagulls with simit (Turkish Bagel), drink tea, and so on... Some say the Bosphorus weather has a healing effect on people... Don't know but can't say it doesn't make any sense...

Sunbeam

2007-04-25T09:24:00.001+03:00

Good Morning! Amazing light games in Istanbul....

Grilled Fish and Salad

2007-04-24T08:58:00.001+03:00

It is amazing what people can do in the streets of Istanbul. This guy (you can only see his legs) was selling salad and grilled fish that he caught, prepared and cooked in the street. And the good part is that it was 5 Turkish Lira and very tasty...

Lovely flowers of our garden

2007-04-23T16:43:00.001+03:00

Don't you think they are just lovely. I think they are some kind of daisies. That doesn't matter...They are beautiful and that what it counts. Love spring in Istanbul!

My meal...

2007-04-23T16:34:00.001+03:00

This is what I got because I don't like lamp chop. Don't worry! I didn't get to eat whole thing. I shared it but I must admit that it was a tasty one. Congrats to the cook- my brother-in-law!

Istanbul Guide Book

2007-04-22T23:04:00.001+03:00

Istanbul Gezi Rehberi, meaning Istanbul Guide Book, is a great book written by Murat Belge (one of my former teachers). You can take the book with you anywhere and that book has always something to say about every inches of this city. Unfortunately, it isn't translated to English yet. But hope someday it will be. Till then, you will always have Strolling Through by Summer-Boyd and Freely.

Earth Day

2007-04-22T19:21:00.001+03:00

Today is Earth Day. You may be confused about the picture above. But don't be! I have a point to make. Years ago, when I watched Jurassic Park, Jeff Goldblum in the character of some mathematician said that: " Life finds a way." when the other people ignored his concerns about having the control over the dinosaur reproduction. And if you watched the movie, you should already know that he was right. That day, I thought this really is the truth. Life always finds its way to flourish. You can see my proof. In the middle of rocky road where there is no tree or grassy field around, there it was - green, live and growing grass.

Today is Earth Day! I think we should learn to respect life - not just ours but life in general.

Turkish Tea

2007-04-22T19:00:00.001+03:00

I don't know if you drank tea with this glass but in Turkey real tea addicts drink with no other mug or cup but with these little glasses. We - Turks- call them "ince belli" meaning something like "hourglass" or "thin wait". As you can see these glasses have the shape of woman body. I don't know where it came from but I can say that it is a real pleasure to drink from these little gals... We, like Englishmen, have our own way of drinking tea!

Our linden tree

2007-04-22T00:21:00.001+03:00

This is a linden tree and it is in our apartment's garden... There are more of them in our neighborhood. Besides the impressive look, these trees have incredibly beautiful scent. By the end of May, whole neighborhood will be smelling like linden... I can't say I am not excited ... Wanna experience it, just visit Erenkoy...

Unexpected car in the streets of Istanbul

2007-04-21T23:45:00.001+03:00

This bug was waiting for his owner silently in the crowded street of Goztepe. A Citroen convertible was just passing by her when I took the picture and I didn't even notice that orange car. (quite surprising, huh?) because this little green bug was so beautiful and I admired her resistance to long years. There she was - charming, new-looking, enviable...

Istanbul, not Constantinople

2007-04-21T00:43:00.001+03:00

This is one of my favorite songs. It is a swing-style song, written by Jimmy Kennedy. I like the humor in the song and wanted to share...

Also you may like this . But I must say something. Just ignore the irrelevant comments and do NOT think we live in tents, wearing fez and riding camel... It is so orientalistic way of thinking. We are riding cars with bare heads and living in apartments.
:)

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works
That's nobody's business but the Turks

Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)

Maslak-Financial District

2007-04-21T00:08:00.001+03:00

This is the scenery from my work place. It is actually quite impressive. Maslak has become one of the major financial districts of Istanbul, located in European side. Maslak is famous with its tall plazas. But I must admit that it can be boring to go there everyday coz it is very crowded and you can miss fresh air during the day. However, as an "Istanbuler" I have to learn to live with the fact of absence of fresh air, don't I?

History of Istanbul

2007-04-18T17:09:00.001+03:00

The city of Istanbul has had many names through its history depending on the culture, language and religion of its rulers. Byzantium, Constantinople and Stamboul are examples that may still be found in active use in certain countries. Among others, it has been called New Rome or Second Rome, since the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great founded it on the site of the ancient Greek city of Byzantium as a second, and decidedly Christian, capital of the Roman Empire, in contrast to the still largely pagan Rome.[2] It has also been nicknamed "The City on Seven Hills" because the historic peninsula, the oldest part of the city, was built by Constantine on seven hills to match the seven hills of Rome. The hills are represented in the city coat of arms with seven mosques, one at the top of each hill.[3] Another old nickname of Istanbul is Vasileousa Polis (Queen of Cities) due to its importance and wealth throughout the Middle Ages.

The first human settlement in Istanbul, the Fikirtepe mound on the Anatolian side, is from the Chalcolithic period, with artifacts dating from 5500-3500 BC. A port settlemet dating back to the Phoenicians has been discovered in nearby Kadıköy (Chalcedon). Cape Moda in Chalcedon was the first location which the Greek settlers of Megara chose to colonize in 685 BC, prior to colonising Byzantion on the European side of the Bosphorus under the command of King Byzas in 667 BC. Byzantion was established on the site of an ancient port settlement named Lygos, founded by Thracian tribes between the 13th and 11th centuries BC, along with the neighbouring Semistra,[4] of which Plinius had mentioned in his historical accounts. Only a few walls and substructures belonging to Lygos have survived to date, near the Seraglio Point (Turkish: Sarayburnu), where the famous Topkapı Palace now stands. During the period of Byzantion, the Acropolis used to stand where the Topkapı Palace stands today.

After siding with Pescennius Niger against the victorious Septimius Severus the city was besieged by Rome and suffered extensive damage in AD 196. Byzantium was rebuilt by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and quickly regained its previous prosperity, being temporarily renamed as Augusta Antonina by the emperor, in honor of his son.

The location of Byzantium attracted Constantine the Great in 324 after a prophetic dream was said to have identified the location of the city; but the true reason behind this prophecy was probably Constantine's final victory over Licinius at the Battle of Chrysopolis (Üsküdar) on the Bosphorus, on September 18, 324, which ended the civil war between the Roman Co-Emperors, and brought an end to the final vestiges of the Tetrarchy system, during which Nicomedia (present-day İzmit, 100 km east of Istanbul) was the most senior Roman capital city. Byzantium (now renamed as Nova Roma which eventually became Constantinopolis, i.e. The City of Constantine) was officially proclaimed the new capital of the Roman Empire six years later, in 330. Following the death of Theodosius I in 395 and the permanent partition of the Roman Empire between his two sons, Constantinople became the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. As well as being the centre of an imperial dynasty, the unique position of Constantinople at the centre of two continents made the city a magnet for international commerce, culture and diplomacy. The Byzantine Empire was distinctly Greek in culture and became the centre of Greek Orthodox Christianity, while its capital was adorned with many magnificent churches, including the Hagia Sophia, once the world's largest cathedral. The seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople, spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, still remains in the Fener (Phanar) district of Istanbul.

In 1204, the Fourth Crusade was launched to capture Jerusalem, but had instead turned on Constantinople, which was sacked and desecrated.[5] The city subsequently became the centre of the Catholic Latin Empire, created by the crusaders to replace the Orthodox Byzantine Empire, which was divided into a number of splinter states, of which the Empire of Nicaea was to recapture Constantinople in 1261 under the command of Michael VIII Palaeologus.

Following centuries of decline, Constantinople became surrounded by more youthful and powerful empires, most notably that of the Ottoman Turks. On 29 May 1453, Sultan Mehmed II “the Conqueror” entered Constantinople after a 53–day siege and the city was promptly made the new capital of the Ottoman Empire. In the last decades of the Byzantine Empire, the city had decayed as the Byzantine state became increasingly isolated and financially bankrupt, its population had dwindled to some thirty or forty thousand people whilst large sections remained uninhabited.[6] Thus, Sultan Mehmed's first duty was to rejuvenate the city economically, creating the Grand Bazaar and inviting the fleeing Orthodox and Catholic inhabitants to return back. Captured prisoners were freed to settle in the city whilst provincial governors in Rumelia and Anatolia were ordered to send four thousand families to settle in the city, whether Muslim, Christian or Jew, to form a unique cosmopolitan society.[7] The Sultan also endowed the city with various architectural monuments, including the Topkapı Palace and the Eyüp Sultan Mosque. Religious foundations were established to fund the construction of grand imperial mosques (such as the Fatih Mosque which was built on the spot where the Church of the Holy Apostles once stood), adjoined by their associated schools, hospitals and public baths.
View of the Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu) on the Golden Horn as seen from Galata Tower, with the Sea of Marmara and the Princes' Islands in the background, and Kadıköy (ancient Chalcedon) at left, on the Asian side
View of the Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu) on the Golden Horn as seen from Galata Tower, with the Sea of Marmara and the Princes' Islands in the background, and Kadıköy (ancient Chalcedon) at left, on the Asian side

Suleiman the Magnificent’s reign was a period of great artistic and architectural achievements. The famous architect Sinan designed many mosques and other grand buildings in the city, while Ottoman arts of ceramics and calligraphy also flourished. Many of these Tekkes survive to this day; some in the form of mosques while others have become museums such as the Cerrahi Tekke and the Sünbül Efendi and Ramazan Efendi Mosques and Türbes in Fatih, the Galata Mevlevihanesi in Beyoğlu, the Yahya Efendi Tekke in Beşiktaş, and the Bektaşi Tekke in Kadıköy, which now serves Alevi Muslims as a Cemevi.

The city was modernized from the 1870s onwards with the construction of bridges, the creation of a proper water system, the use of electric lights, and the introduction of streetcars and telephones.

When the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923, the capital was moved from Istanbul to Ankara. In the early years of the republic, Istanbul was overlooked in favour of the new capital. However, in the 1950s, Istanbul underwent great structural change, as new roads and factories were constructed throughout the city. Wide modern boulevards, avenues and public squares were built in Istanbul, sometimes at the expense of the demolition of many historical buildings. The city's once numerous and prosperous Greek community, remnants of the city's Greek origins, dwindled in the aftermath of the 1955 Istanbul Pogrom, with most Greeks in Turkey leaving their homes for Greece.

During the 1970s, the population of Istanbul began to rapidly increase as people from Anatolia migrated to the city in order to find employment in the many new factories that were constructed at the outskirts of the city. This sudden sharp increase in the population caused a rapid rise in housing development (some of poor quality, resulting in deaths and injuries during frequent earthquakes that hit the city) and many previously outlying villages became engulfed into the greater metropolis of Istanbul.

Today, as well as being the country's largest city, Istanbul is the financial, cultural and economic center of modern Turkey.

PS: This article was taken from Wikipedia

InIstanbul

2007-04-18T16:55:00.001+03:00

If you are interested in Istanbul and want to know more about it, this book may help you...

Day 1

2007-04-18T10:15:00.001+03:00

Hello everyone,
In this blog, I will share the Istanbul photos I took. They won't be necessarily the most beautiful landscape photos but rather interesting, moment-catching ones. So just keep waiting...They are coming soon...

However, it won't be just about the photos. I'll share information, recommendation, thoughts, so on...