About İstanbul

Byzantium, Agusta Antonina, Dersaadet, Asitane, Constantinople, Konstantiniye… Istanbul had many different names and hosted many different cultures during its history. The name was officially changed to Istanbul in 1930. Istanbul is famous as one of the most frequently besieged cities in the world. Before being conquered by the Turks, its assailants included the Persian Darius (513 BC) the Athenian Alcibiades (408 BC) the Macedonian Philip II, the Arabs, the Bulgarians and the armies of the Fourth Crusade.

Istanbul has been home to various cultures since at least the Neolithic Period. According to records, the city have been founded in the 7 BC by colonists from Megara, led by the legendary Byzas. Once settled by Byzantines and took the name of Byzantium, the city became the supreme trade and commerce center. In 330 AD, Constantine I allowed the public practice of the Christianity and consequently the city became the symbol of Christian triump.

Until 1453, Turks had already tried to conquer Constantinople four times but it was Mehmet II –who took the title of “Fatih” which means conqueror after the victory- who realized this Ottoman dream. After two years of preparations, the siege started on April 6 and continued during 53 days. Mehmet II took his ships to the Golden Horn by pulling them on oily wood pieces and surprised the Byzantine army.

Once taken by Turks in 1453; Constantinople became the Ottoman Empire’s capital until 1923, when the founder of the Republic of Türkiye Mustafa Kemal Atatürk moved the capital from Istanbul to Ankara.

In the early years of the republic Ankara took precedence over Istanbul but between 1940 and 1950 the city regained its importance via a great structural change. New public squares such as Taksim Square, boulevards and avenues are constructed all around the city. Starting from the 1970s, with the undeniable effect of migrations from Anatolia, the city’s population began to rapidly increase. The fact that the city hosted different civilizations and life styles throughout its history transformed Istanbul a one big metropolis embracing multiculturalism and appreciating the beauty of different praxis.

Today, 20 percent of Türkiye’s industrial labor and 38 percent of industrial workspace are provided by İstanbul which places the city in a central position for Türkiye’s economic life. The city is also the country’s art center with international fairs, film, music and theater festival, museums, art galleries, exhibitions and sports organizations like İstanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture and İstanbul 2012 European Capital of Sport. Easy accessibility with two international airports, numerous meeting and convention facilities, superior accommodation choices… 21th century’s İstanbul is the world’s one of the most important metropolises.