The interesting facts about wonderful Istanbul, never end! We present you a list with some of the most impressive of them:
1. City separating two continents
Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans in two continents, Europe and Asia. It straddles the Bosphorus straight between Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. Most of historical monuments are on European side whereas most of the population lives on the Asian Side
2. City of Seven Hills
When Roman Emperor Constantine captured the city, he decided to build the city similar to the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire just like Rome. Rome was built on seven hills and in 330 AD; he built Istanbul on seven hills. The city naturally was name Constantinople (“City of Constantine”) from Byzantium.
In 1930, after war of Independence, the city was officially named Istanbul. To ensure the usage of Istanbul, government decided not forward mails addressed to Constantinople.
3. City of Tulips
Contrary to popular belief, tulips originated in Istanbul and Turkey and not in Netherlands. The first bulb of tulip was exported Vienna in 1554 from Ottoman Empire where they got popularity. But Istanbul and Turkey has been its first home. Even the name Tulip “Tullban” originates from the word Turban which in Turkish means the head gear worn by Sultans.
Since 2000, every year Turkey celebrates the month of April as Lale Festival in which Istanbul is garnered with millions of Tulip flowers.
4. Largest Covered Market
Grand Bazaar is the largest covered market in the world. This world has 4000 shops which are spread in 61 streets. It would take around 3 days to visit all the shops. Around 250,000 to 400,000 people visit this place every day.
During the Ottoman Empire, the city had over 1,400 public toilets, while in the rest of Europe there were none!
5. City of Three Empires
This city has been home to many empires. In its thousands year of history, it has been capital of three great empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman
6. The Blue Mosque
It is the only mosque with six minarets. Legend is that Grand Mosque in Mecca use to have one less minaret than Blue Mosque. It was considered to be disrespectful in the Muslim world and one more minaret was added to the Grand Mosque.
7. Maiden Tower
It is also called as Kizkulesi which literally means “Maiden Tower” in Turkish was built in 5th century by Athenian general. It served as custom checking point and later as a light house. There is a legend that this tower was built by Byzantine emperor for his daughter. He saw a dream that his daughter will be killed by snake and to save his daughter he made this tower. But she could not escape the destiny and she apparently died from snake bite.
This tower was featured in James Bond movies in 1999 “The world is not enough”. Today it is popular point which offers 360 degree view of Bosphorus.
8. Crowded City
This city has always been considered as hub in Byzantine, Ottoman and Roman Empire. In 1502, it was the most crowded city in the world. In present time, it is considered to be one of the most rapid growing cities, especially between 1950 and 2000. It is now third biggest city in the world inhabited by around 16 million people approximately which is increasing every year.
9. Sub way and Metro System
The third oldest subway in the world, is located in Beyoglu area, covers 573 meters adn was built in 1875. It also has smallest underground funiklar from Taksim to Kabtas. Moreover, Istanbul has one of the finest metro and tram system in Europe.
10. City of Mosques
Istanbul host around 3500 mosque in Turkey.
11. Holy City
Istanbul is holy city for many religions. Hagia Sophia is considered to be the church of Divine Wisdom and has been used by different religions for different purposes. In the beginning it was a temple for Pagan and then later it was turned into mosque during Ottoman Empire.
It used to one of the largest Christian Orthodox Church for hundred years and attracts around 4 million tourists every year.
12. City of Hamams
The city has around 237 hamams and only 60 of them are still in use.
13. City of Intellectual Influence
The city has been the source of biggest influence for many artists. It has been an influence in Byzantine and Ottoman architecture which is evident from the buildings present in the city. There are Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Genoese, Ottoman and modern Turkish influences.
It has also been a place where Agatha Christie wrote the famous novel ‘’ Murder on the Orient Express’’ at Pera Palas Hotel. It also hosts Istanbul Biennial which is the one of the top contemporary art shows in the world, attracting over 350,000 visitors.
14. Galata Tower
This tower was named as Tower of Christ in 1348. It originally used as a house to prisoners of war and later became an observatory. Now this tower offers a 360-degree viewing gallery of the city.