Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
İstanbul has a history that has been turbulent and triumphant in equal parts. In its guises of Byzanti-
um and Constantinople it was ruled by Greeks, Romans and their descendants, many of whom left
their stamp on the city's built heritage. After its incarnation as İstanbul, it functioned as the capital of
the world's most powerful empire and benefited from the riches associated with this. Ruled by a succes-
sion of powerful emperors, sultans and politicians, its politics have given us the descriptor 'Byzantine'
and its patrons have endowed it with a legacy of buildings and artefacts that certainly bring history to
life.
