A History of Istanbul

History

Istanbul’s history can be traced right back to the earliest times. A small colony of Greeks inhabited the area until the third century bc, and over the next 1,000 years it became a thriving trade and commercial centre. It continued life as a trading city during the Roman Empire, but was then conquered by Emperor Septimus Severius in 193ad. During the fourth century, the Roman Emperor Constantine selected Istanbul to be the new capital, instead of Rome. It was a strategic choice: built on seven surrounding hills (echoing that of Rome) the city had control of the Bosphorus and easy access to the harbour of the Golden Horn. The city was reorganized within six years, its ramparts widened and the construction of many temples, official buildings, palaces, hamams and a hippodrome began.

The city has been conquered, fought over and rebuilt many times over the centuries. Virtually every civilisation has attempted to own Istanbul, resulting in name changes from Byzantium to Constantinople and eventually Istanbul. Its prime position has meant that Istanbul has suffered from frequent sieges, changing from a Hellenic outpost to New Rome, to the world’s first Christian capital, and the seat of the world’s biggest Muslim Empire. As a result, its identity today combines both eastern and European influences.

It remained the capital of the eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) for a long period, due to the fall of the west Roman Empire in the fifth century. By the sixth century, the population exceeded half a million, and was considered a Golden Age under Emperor Justinyen’s reign. In the year 330 and with a great ceremony, the city was officially announced as the capital of the Roman Empire, and was known subsequently as Constantinople.

The city passed reign to Byzantium again in 1261, did not regain its former richness, and was conquered by Turks in 1453 after a fifty-three-day siege. The hands of control changed yet again and it became the capital city of the Ottoman Empire. During this time, it saw a population increase with immigrants from other parts of the country, together with religious freedom and social rights granted to Greeks, Armenians and Jews. Mehmet the Conqueror began to rebuild it, with a new palace and mosque (Fatih Camii) and tried to inject new life into the economy. The city remained the trading post for valuable spices and textiles brought via the Silk Road from as far away as China.

Suleyman the Magnificent (1520–1566) was considered the greatest of all the Ottoman leaders, and his military conquests paid for the most impressive Ottoman architecture, which were the work of Mimar Sinan. At that time, the city was also the centre of Is- lamic building work, and domes and minarets from hundreds of mosques dotted the skyline.

However, a century after the death of Suleyman, the Empire started to deteriorate again. By the end of the eighteenth century the empire was in decline, with more territory being lost to the West, and sultans becoming increasingly interested in Western institutional models.

By the nineteenth century, Istanbul abandoned oriental chic and decided it needed to become more European. The Sultan built the Dolmabahce Palace, and with extravagances like a crystal staircase, it’s easy to see how it almost bankrupted the regime. In fact, the Ottoman Empire didn’t last very long into the twentieth century.

There was a short-lived Ottoman parliament and constitution in 1876, and by the end of World War I (during which time allied troops occupied the city) the once- great empire was in a poor state.

This situation changed radically, however, with the emergence of a prominent commander of the Turkish army, who entered the struggle for the Turkish nation. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was considered a hero after the four-year long War of Independence, following which he established the Republic of Turkey in 1923. The capital was moved to Ankara, then a small provincial town in Anatolia. Istanbul, however, remained the cultural, economic and business pulse of Turkey, as it does still today.

Modern Istanbul

Aside from high society celebri- ties dropping in for some exotic colour, Istanbul’s first real taste of tourism came with the arrival of the hippies in the 1960s who came to retrace the Silk Road. As the city continues to change and develop to reach European Union standards, the infrastructure is improving but, thankfully, its character is still intact.

A metro underground service now links the old city with the new one and the waterfront land has been reclaimed and turned into parkland which, when fully established, will provide really impressive gardens. Much of this has been put in place in anticipation of a successful Olympic bid.

The population of Istanbul was just over one million in 1945. It increased to seven million and is now a city of close to fifteen million people.

Istanbul has a central importance in both domestic and international trade, trade being the second most important sector in Istanbul after industry. Istanbul is also the most important export and import gate of Turkey.

Architecture

The Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have left an indelible stamp on modern-day Istanbul with wonderful examples of the city’s vivid and colourful past to be found around virtually every corner. Istanbul’s mosques are architectural masterpieces. Construction of the first big selatin (royal) mosque complex in Istanbul, the Fatih Mosque, was begun in 1453. The selatin mosques that were built by the sultans and their family members can be recognised by their single minarets.

In order to meet the immediate needs of the population for more mosques, some of the Byzantine churches and monasteries were used for that purpose. While the big mosques and mosque complexes were placed at the central points of the city, smaller complexes known as vizier mosques were built for relatives of the dynasty and top state officials.

In Istanbul, history and tradition are piled layer upon layer. Stately palaces, mosques and cathedrals lie beside chaotic bazaars, steaming hamams and tea houses.

In the past decade, investment and development has transformed areas into hip and vibrant neighbourhoods with clubs, bars, cafés, restaurants, shops, hotels and galleries springing up. Its variety is one of Istanbul’s greatest attractions and the ancient mosques, palaces, museums and bazaars reflect its diverse history. The thriving shopping area of Taksim buzzes with life and entertain- ment. And the serene beauty of the Bosphorus, Princes Islands and parks bring a touch of peace to the otherwise chaotic metropolis.