History of Istanbul | A Comprehensive Guide

"Istanbul city in the past"

The Ancient City

The History of Istanbul no one can explain in a word. “If the world was only one country, Istanbul would be its capital!” were the words said by Napoleon. Formerly known as Constantinople, İstanbul has served as the capital of two of the world's greatest and most powerful empires. İstanbul is home to numerous historical architectures, medieval period castles, stunning mosques, centuries-old alleys and spice markets, breathtaking ancient defense walls, museums, delicious cuisine, many festivals, and a population of sixteen million very friendly and welcoming people.

History of Istanbul, the ancient city is long and glorious. The earliest account of an urban settlement on the European side of the Bosporus indicates a date as far back as 660 BC, almost three thousand years from now. The area was colonized by Greek settlers from Megara. Pliny the Elder wrote about the city named Lygos in his historical accounts. The city was populated by Thracian and neighboring tribal people. The city of Byzantium grew from Ligos, which eventually became Constantinople. Thus, Ligos is generally considered the origin of Istanbul. The Acropolis of Ligos used to be where the Topkapi Palace now stands. Only a few walls and structures remain to date from that period. The city of Ligos then got the name Byzantium.

According to Greek legend, Byzas, son of Poseidon and king of the Megarian colonies, was the founder of the city. But historians consider the name to predate the Greek and to have a Thracian origin. According to legends, Constantine the Great, who had converted to Christianity in the year 312 CE, had a prophetic dream about the city of Byzantium in 324 CE. Later that year, on 18th September, he went on to win the Battle of Chrysopolis, modern-day Uskudar, against Licinius and conquered the city of Byzantium. He named the city 'Nova Roma' meaning The New Rome. But eventually, it inherited the title 'Konstantinopolis' or the City of Constantine and was declared the new capital of the Roman Empire in 330 CE. Up until that time, Nicomedia, situated one hundred kilometers east of Istanbul in present-day İzmit, was the most important roman city. Constantinopolis flourished under the rule of Constantine the Great. With his death, the reign of Constantine the Great ended in 337 CE and his three sons took over the empire as joint emperors. But this system of joint emperorship couldn't sustain well and after the death of Theodosius-I in 395 CE, the Roman Empire was split into two: The Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire. Constantinople became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Center of the Western World

Between the two Roman empires, the Western Roman Empire would soon decline and fall to the Germanic Tribes while The Eastern Roman Empire, with Constantinople as its capital, would greatly prosper and become one of the most powerful empires in history. During this time, Constantinople would grow in population, religion, and economy becoming the center of the Greek and western world. The Eastern Roman Empire would go on to be known as the 'Byzantine Empire' for its capital's previous name 'Byzantium'. Before the split of the Roman empire, emperor Theodosius-I had declared Christianity as the official religion of the state. However, their split from Catholic Rome and the difference in beliefs between orthodox and catholic Christianity would go on to play a vital role in the sack of Constantinople by the Roman army during the fourth crusade.

"Golden Horn"

Constantinople prospered greatly throughout the reign of emperor Justinian-I (527-565) and became the largest and most populated city in Europe with a population of half a million people. It becomes the center of Orthodox Christianity. Justinian-I built the largest cathedral in the world of its time, the Hagia Sofya. Constantinople continued to play a vital role in the Byzantine empire as its capital. Though, the city was sacked by Kyiv princes several times and was forced to sign treaties heavily in favor of Kyiv.

Constantinople slowly declined in power until 1204, when the fourth crusade army attacked their fellow orthodox Christians in Constantinople rather than recapturing Palestine from the Muslims. They looted the city and caused mass death and destruction. Although the Pope condemned the attack, he kept the city. The once center of Orthodox Christianity now became a Catholic city. Finally, in 1261 CE, Michael-III Palaeologus recaptured the city and turned Constantinople back to orthodox. But the former glory of the largest city of the western world was gone. The population declined and most places of the city became deserted. As the famous traveler, Ibn Batuta describes "Sown fields within the city walls". The city would not get back its glory until its invasion by the Ottomans in the year 1453.

The Red Apple

Many previous attempts by the Ottomans to conquer Constantinople had failed because of the great defense systems and impenetrable walls of the city in the history of Istanbul. Constantinople earned the nickname 'Red Apple' among the Muslim leadership of that time for its geopolitical importance and desirability. The successful conquest of Constantinople by Fatih Sultan Mehmet is hands down the most glorious battle in ottoman history. The siege campaign began on 6th May 1453. The emperor of the Byzantine Empire of that time was also named Constantine, like the first-ever emperor of the city. Fatih Mehmet, also known as Mehmet the Second gave Constantine three chances to surrender. This was done according to holy Islamic Sharia laws. He also promised the safety of life, riches, belief, and honor of the citizens if the emperor surrendered. Emperor Constantine decided to fight and placed troops on the walls and secured the Golden Horn with chains stretched across Bosporus, preventing Ottman ships from entering the harbor, and making a naval attack impossible. Over the next few days, a scattered battle took place between Ottoman Janissaries and Byzantine warriors outside the walls but the city was mostly out of touch with the Ottomans. Mehmets soldiers started to become frustrated and impatient but he told them to have faith. He deployed mobile platforms with an equal height of the walls, that could carry many soldiers, in order to easily deploy them inside walls. But that attempt didn't succeed. Meanwhile, Constantine sent a letter to the Vatican asking for help. In response, the pope sent five ships full of supplies, weapons, and reinforcement troops. Mehmets naval army failed to intercept the Roman fleet and reinforcements reached the besieged city. But following the naval defeat was a victory that is so genius and unique, that it claimed its place as one of the most innovative naval attacks of late medieval history.

"Conquire of Constantinople"

In hostory of Istanbul, the chains at the entrance of the Golden Horn have protected the city for centuries. When stretched, it rose to the surface and prevented enemy ships from entering the harbor. And the Sultan knew it was impossible to enter the harbor by ship via water. So he does the unthinkable. In the middle of the night, he orders to clear a path around the Galata Tower for his ships. His troops push eighty ships on land rolling on wooden logs and deploy them on the other side of the chain, making the ingenious chain defense system useless. They claim a huge naval victory by burning down the Byzantine naval fleet and positioning themselves in a strategically significant Golden Harbour. The city is now the most vulnerable. This is the perfect time for the Ottomans to attack and take control of the city. Sultan Mehmet deploys his most effective weapon: Canons. Huge canons rain fire on the defense walls gradually weakening them. But the walls hold on and the anxiety among ottoman soldiers keeps on raising. Finally, on the morning of 29th May 1453, Sultan Mehmet order to call Azan and the Muslim army pray together, putting on an intimidating display of unity. Then the attack of the day begins, all the canons fire at once, and soon afterward, the huge wall, that has been defending the most important city of the Orthodox world for centuries, finally gives away. Ottoman infantries, cavalries, and Janissaries fiercely attack the damaged opening and enter the city. The numerically Byzantine army is unable to stop the charge. Emperor Constantine takes the sword as a last act of defense and is killed in action. The Ottoman army takes full control of the city after a 53-day-long siege and fierce battle both on land and water.

The city of Constantinople was established by Constantine the Great and it was rumored that the last ever emperor of the city would also be named Constantine. This rumor turned out to be true. Sultan Mehmet the second entered the newly concurred city via the Topkapı Gate as a Conquerer or 'Fatih', fulfilling the prophecy by the holy prophet of Islam (PBUH) “Verily, you shall conquer Constantinople. What a wonderful army will that army be, and what a wonderful commander will that conqueror be.”

The City of Art

The conquest of Constantinople put an end to the medieval era as well as the Byzantine Empire. According to historical accounts, Fatih Sultan Mehmet brought back discipline in the city after three days of free will. The city was renamed Istanbul and Sultan Mehmet ordered the repair of the walls, the construction of a palace, and turned Hagia Sofya into a mosque. Azan was called in Hagia Sofya and prayers were prayed. Fatih Sultan Mehmet declared İstanbul as the capital of the Ottoman Empire and took necessary measures to bring back the former glory of the city. He ordered that five thousand Muslim, Christian, and Jew families are to be migrated to the newly concurred city by September. By 1459, Greeks who fled Constantinople were allowed to return. Many religious schools of thought, pious foundations, theological colleges, and charitable kitchens linked to mosques helped restructure the society and grow the population. Many Sufi orders who helped concurred the city settled in. Markets like the Grand Bazar were constructed to attract trade roots. Soon, Istanbul found its former glory back.

"Istanbul Bridge"

İstanbul saw a revolution of art and culture during the reign of Sultan Suleiman The Magnificent (1520-1566). Turkish art of calligraphy flourished throughout this time and ornate tiles clad palaces and mosques alike. It was during this period when the prominent imperial architect of Sultan Suleiman, Mimar Sinan constructed more than three hundred major projects such as mosques, palaces, towers, bridges, and grand buildings in Istanbul and other provinces. He added four minarets to the Hagia Sofya in its transformation process from the cathedral to a mosque. Mimar Sinan built mosques like the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Şehzade Mosque, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Rüstem Pasha Mosque, and many more which feature domes and half-dome structures. He designed and constructed bridges like the Kanuni Bridge, Küçükçekmece Bridge, Mehmed Paşa Sokoloviç Bridge, and Suleiman the Magnificent bridge. He designed and built many palaces and aqueducts as well. One of his students, Mehmed Aga designed and constructed the famous Sultanahmet Mosque otherwise known as the Blue Mosque near Topkapı Palace. A city that was once the center of Orthodox Christianity became a city of Muslim culture, architecture, and art. Istanbul once again became the most prosperous city in the western world. It played its vital role as the capital of the Ottoman Empire until 1922 for almost five hundred years.

History of Istanbul, possesses many historically and artistically important places which are visited by tourists from around the world. Places like the Maidens Tower or Kız kulesi, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sofya, the Tower of Galata, Fatih Mosque, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque along with Mimar Sinan's numerous creations, many museums, walls and aqueducts from Greek times, and many other historic places and UNESCO world heritage sites are among the favorite places for tourists. Istanbul is among the top ten most visited cities in the world. Nearly fifteen million tourists visit the city each year. It's a tourist magnet. And why wouldn't it be? The alleyways here whisper the history of three thousand years, the castles tell the tales of the emperors and sultans of two of the most powerful empires in the world, the walls bear the wounds of many sieges, invasions, a crusade and Fatih Mehmets cannon blows, its many churches and mosques bear witness of two thousand years of Christean and Muslim devotees, it's bazaars remember the traders from thousands of years ago, from thousands of miles afar. From Byzentium to Constantinople, to Istanbul, this city has seen it all. Now it's our turn to see the magnificent city and explore its rich history and culture.

In conclusion, the history of Istanbul is a rich and complex one, spanning over thousands of years and reflecting the cultural and religious diversity of the city. From its beginnings as a small Greek fishing village to its modern-day status as a bustling metropolis, Istanbul has undergone many transformations and has been shaped by various civilizations and empires.

Visitors to Istanbul today can witness this rich history firsthand, from the ancient ruins of the Hippodrome and the Byzantine walls, to the stunning mosques and palaces built during the Ottoman Empire. The city's unique blend of East and West, old and new, creates a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere that draws millions of visitors each year.

However, it's important to remember that Istanbul's history is not without its darker moments, including conquests, wars, and political unrest. Understanding and acknowledging these aspects of the city's past is crucial in order to fully appreciate its present and move towards a brighter future.

Overall, the history of Istanbul is a fascinating and complex topic that offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply a curious traveler, Istanbul is sure to captivate and inspire you with its rich heritage and vibrant present.

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You can also experience this amazing Historical city with great accommodation and transportation facilities, and knowledgeable tour guides with various language skills, just by contacting Ottoman Tours and Travels.