Istanbul
This post is part of a series on the city of Istanbul.
Istanbul, historically known as Constantinople and Byzantium, is the most populous city in Turkey and the country’s economic, cultural, and historic center.
Some more #
- Originally named the Tower of Christ, the Galata Tower was built in 1348 at the apex of fortified walls and was used to house prisoners of war, later became an observatory, but now offers a 360-degree viewing gallery of the city.
- It has been a noted inspiration for authors from Paul Theroux and Ernest Hemingway to Orhan Pamuk and Abdülhak Sinasi Hisar
- Istanbul was once renowned as the most crowded city in the world – in 1502.
- Istanbul has the third oldest subway in the world, built in 1875. It’s 573 meters long and located in the Beyoglu district.
- Istanbul was the European Cultural Capital City in 2010, but has never hosted the Olympics.