Thursday, September 11, 2014
Istabul's marvellous history
Steeped in history, modern day Istanbul is as shrouded in
legend as Byzantium was back in 657BC. Majestically straddling two continents:
Istanbul is a marvel of architecture. Gazing upon the city is enough to lapse
into the slow pace of days gone by. Its persistent minarets climbing like
dawn's rosy fingers to an azure sky; resplendent palaces hugging the water's
edge and exotic gardens boasting opulent Pavilions beckon visitors in their
droves to this unique city.
Here, we have a whistle stop tour through Istanbul's recent
incarnations: leading it to be the jewel it is today.
Byzantium
Legend dictates that Byzas, son of King Nisos from Megara (near
Athens) founded Byzantium in 657 BC when he sailed northeast across the Aegean
Sea. Having consulted the Oracle at Delphi to ask where to found his own
city, the Oracle said he'd find it "opposite the blind". He had no
understanding of this initially, but coming across the Bosporus, he realised.
On the opposite, eastern shore was a Greek city named Chalcedon, which is
modern day Kadıköy. The blind were thought to be the city's founders; who had
neglected to notice the finer location of Byzantium: only 3 km away. Byzas swept
in and built his city there on the European coast; naming it Byzantium after
himself. It was primarily a trading city, due to its location at the entrance
of the Black Sea. The Byzantine empire later conquered Chalcedon, across the
Bosporus on the Asiatic side.
New Rome and Constantinopolis
Siding with the wrong party during a struggle for the
throne in 191 AD, and after a two year battle, it was occupied and razed by
Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. New city walls were built and new buildings
adorned the port area.
By the 4th century AD the Roman Empire was pretty
sizeable, and the capital Rome lost its central position. Istanbul was coined Nea Roma or New Rome. Unlike its
antecessor, the name didn't really stick.
Famously named after Emperor Constantine the Great who
settled on Constantinople's site, due to its strategic positioning between the
two continents. Constantine established a Christian city to replace Byzantium.
Due to his position of power, most people named the city Constantinopolis, after him. This name persisted into the 20th
century, throughout the Ottoman and Turkish era.
Under Constantin, numerous churches were built across the
city, including the Hagia Sophia which was the world's largest
cathedral for over a thousand years. Other improvements to the city
undertaken by Constantine included a major renovation and expansion of
the Hippodrome. Constantinople's location ensured its existence would
stand be preserved; for many centuries, its walls and seafront protected Europe
against invaders from the east and the advance of Islam. During this era,
contrary to Istanbul boasting cheap property
in Turkey, Constantinople was the largest and wealthiest city in the world,
at times.
Istanbul
Contemporary culture and ancient history fuse to make modern
day Istanbul one of the most eye-catching, trendy cities the world has to
offer. Having long since had regal status: housing four of the biggest Western
empires over the years, modern Istanbul is a city of culture and multiculture.
With many developments offering investment property in
Istanbul, the Eurasian city is an increasingly popular spot for Boutique
hotels and second home owners. Its vibrancy, mixed with a relaxed atmosphere
makes Istanbul a fantastic option for those considering buying a second home in
Turkey.
Higlights of Istanbul lie in its very diversity. Today there
are as many Ottoman minarets as contemporary art galleries, exquisite boutique
bars and restaurants vying for your attention: making it a city with an
indescribable and incomparable energy.
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