Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
number-one destination for visitors. At present, the city hosts nearly eight million visitors
per year, and while this brings prosperity, it also brings challenges. Chief among these are
the detrimental effects that crowds can have on the physical condition of ancient monu-
ments. Internationally significant sites such as Aya Sofya and Topkapı Palace host three
million visitors per year, and this makes it very hard for museum authorities to maintain
the buildings properly. Some experts, including Dr İlber Ortaylı, president of Topkapı,
think that the only solution is to limit visitor admissions to the major monuments.
Infrastructure Upgrades
The constantly growing population has placed a huge strain on the city's transport system,
which is ageing and in constant need of expansion. Fortunately, the local authorities and
Ankara anticipated this problem and in 2005 commenced works on the Marmaray project,
one of the major transportation infrastructure projects in the world at present. It involves
upgrading and extending the city's 76km-long railway system, building an underwater
railway link between the European and Asian suburbs, and integrating the new railway
lines with other city transport options. Construction has been slowed by constant archae-
ological discoveries (always a possibility in a city this ancient), meaning the project isn't
expected to be complete until June 2015, when it will make getting around the city a
breeze.
Heritage Initiatives
The city's starring role as a European Capital of Culture in 2010 led to a massive program
of heritage restoration in the Old City that is still underway. Great monuments such as the
imperial mosques have been given loving restorations, as have historically significant but
hitherto neglected Byzantine monuments. Once a regular nominee on the World Monu-
ments Fund's list of endangered buildings, İstanbul has well and truly lifted its game when
it comes to heritage protection, and visitors to the city benefit as a result. The most excit-
ing of these restorations is undoubtedly that of Aya Sofya, which was completed in 2012.
An Exciting Cultural Landscape
In recent years the city's big banks, business dynasties and universities have built and en-
dowed an array of cutting-edge museums and cultural centres, many of which have been
designed by local architectural practices with growing international reputations. These in-
stitutions host programs and exhibitions of visual and performance art, and are nurturing a
new and exciting generation of Turkish arts practitioners. Complementing this activity is
