If one’s wish is to visit a place, which combines both antiquity and modernism, one should visit Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey with a population of 13.9 million people. If one wishes to set their foot both in Europe and Asia, one should know that Istanbul is the only place they could do that. Vibrant, clamorous and spicy conglomerate of orientaland western culture, Istanbul is the second largest city in the world by population.

Istanbul is located in north-western Turkey. It is mainly divided into three areas. Bosphorus, which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, divides the city into European side and Asian side while the Golden Horn divides the city’s European side in two – the Historic peninsula, where the former Byzantium and Constantinople were founded, and Galata. Istanbul’s climate is Mediterranean and humid subtropical climate. Yet, one of the most noticeable characteristics of Istanbul’s climate is its high humidity. 

Istanbul is a city that seems to have the most versatile features. It is like a child of European father and Asian mother, like a Christian converted to the Islam. Contemporary exists within the oldness in this dual city, which had served as the capital of four empires (Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman) for nearly sixteen centuries. 

First originates as an important centre of Christianity, Istanbul is a glorious symbol of Islam nowadays. Remains of city’s renowned past are well preserved and could be seen in Istanbul’s historic peninsula. The historic peninsula is the place that attracts the majority of tourists. Here one could visit the most fascinating landmarks of Istanbul like Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome of Constantinople, Basilica Cistern, Suleymaniye Mosque (the largest mosque in Istanbul), Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, and many more. 

Hagia Sophia (Saint Sophia), which means Holy Wisdom, is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque and today a museum. Since 537 (the year of its building), Hagia Sophia served as church, furthermore, it was city’s biggest and most sacred place. From 1453 to 1934 Hagia Sophia was turned to a mosque due to Ottoman conquest of the city by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. In 1935 it was established as a museum by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Hagia Sophia is well-known for its mosaics. In of them Virgin Mary with young Jesus is depicted, receiving new secular centre (Constantinople) from Constantine the Great on one hand, and new spiritual centre (Saint Sophia) from Justinian the Great on the other. Right in front of Hagia Sophia is set the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as The Blue Mosque, and between them fountains’ waters  are scattering  in fine drops while thousands upon thousands of people are strolling and absorbing Istanbul’s  air. This is the first prospect seen by the tourists since most of the tourist buses arrived right here. The Blue Mosque is known by this name owing to the plenty of refined blue and green tiles, decorating mosque’s interior. On one side of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque lies the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Historical monuments situated on the Hippodrome are one of the most significant sights of the city. Serpent Column, Obelisk of Thutmose III, Walled Obelisk and Statues of Porphyrios could be seen on the Hippodrome. The Serpent Column is relocated to Istanbul by Constantine the Great in 324 from the Greek city Delphi. Legend says that it was made by melted swords of the defeated Persian army. The Obelisk of Thutmose III, also called the Obelisk of Theodosius, is the oldest object in Istanbul dated 15^th century BC.  It was built by Thutmose III in great temple of Karnak for worshiping Amun. The Obelisk of Thutmose III gets its other name, Obelisk of Theodosius, owing to Theodosius I who transported the obelisk to Istanbul. 

Another well-known site is Topkapi Palace. Its imperial gate is at the back of Hagia Sophia. Topkapi Palace is one of the most visited museums in Europe. Its area is two times bigger than Vatican City State and two times smaller than Principality of Monaco. Topkapi’s collection is considered as one of the three biggest collections in the world. The clock collection, the porcelain and celadon collection, the weapon collection, collection of the sultans’ wardrobes and the treasury collection draw tourist attention to the Topkapi.  The Topkapi Dagger, embellished with three large emeralds, is the symbol of Topkapi Palace. The Palace became UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. 

Istanbul Archaeological Museum houses enormous amount of objects with great historical significance. Unique artefacts from the dawn of our civilisation such as the first recorded peace treaty (Egyption-Hittite peace treaty), through Hellenistic Era of Alexander the Great to the Islamic Golden Age are just near at visitors hands.   

Istanbul is able to offer not only food for the soul but also an actual food for the stomach. The Spice Bazaar is the second large covered bazaar in Istanbul. Dry fruits, sweets, nuts, doner kebab, and vanilla, Turkish saffron, cinnamon and dried rose buds making up just the entry room of that grandeur house of fragrances also called Egyptian Bazaar.  The largest bazaar in Istanbul, though, is the Grand Bazaar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets with about three thousand shops. 

At the northern shore of the Golden horn is located Galata region with the Galata Tower, Istiklal Avenue and Taksim Square. Galata tower was built in 1348. With its high cone-capped cylinder, the Galata Tower is one of the most impressive features in Istanbul and it offers a panoramic vista of Old Istanbul. Istiklal Avenue is the most famous street in Istanbul. It is 1.4 kilometres long street that houses superb boutiques, libraries, bookstores, restaurants, cafeterias, theatres, nightclubs and other temptations for the mind and the palate, which mark the modern, urban lifestyle. The Taksim Square is city’s most lively and thronged region. In its centre is erected the Monument of the Republic. On one side of the Taksim Square is located the Taksim Gazi Park. 

Although tourists prefer the European side of the city, more citizens of Istanbul live on the Asian side considered as more quiet and tranquil. There is something soothing in the faces of those numerous Istanbul’s citizens heading towards home after the exhausting working day on the unabated European side. 

On the Asian side is located the Istanbul Racing Circuit also known as the Istanbul Park. Its length is 5.338 kilometres. Major events in the Istanbul Park are FIA Formula One, Turkish Grand Prix, Moto GP, GP 2, DTM, 1000 km, FIA, WTCC Race of Turkey. 

One of the most thrilling football derbies, which a football fan should experience, is between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, which represent the competition between the European and the Asian sides respectively. 

Istanbul’s citizens and guests benefit from one of the world’s most complex transport system – trains, trams, bus network, rail systems, metro, ships, and funiculars rumbling throughout the city. 

Did you know? ..... 10 Interesting Facts about Istanbul

1. Moses’ Staff, David’s Sword, Abraham’s Pot, Joseph’s Turban, Muhammad’s footprint and scrolls belonging to John are all in Topkapi Palace.
2. The future fate of Christianity is sealed in Constantinople in 1054 due to the Great Schism or East-West Schism in which Christianity is divided into Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church respectively.
3. The city had more than ten names in its long history.
4. The city’s present name is derived from Medieval Greek and means: “To the city”
5. In 2013 Istanbul lost the final voting for 2020 Summer Olympics host city from Tokyo.
6. City’s longitude is 150 kilometres and its latitude is 50 kilometres.
7. Every 5^th Turkey’s citizen lives in Istanbul.
8. The project Marmaray (the world’s deepest immersed tube tunnel) is expected to be finished in October, 2013.
9. Istanbul is one of the trade routes on the Silk Road.
10. Istanbul was named European Capital of Culture in 2010 and two years after that approximately 11.6 million foreigner visitors arrived in the city.