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Istanbul

International Names:
Istanbul, Estambul, Istambul, İstanbul, Isztambul, Stambula, Stambulas, Stambuł, Κωνσταντινούπολη, Истанбул, Стамбул

Istanbul History

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History

 

In 330 A.D. with the fall of the Roman Empire, Constantinople became the capital of the Byzantine Empire founded by the Emperor Constantine, who built walls around the city to make it impenetrable by foreign enemies. The capital city of the Byzantine Empire grew and continued to flourish long after the death of Constantine under the rule of other emperors. During the rein of Justinian and Theodora, from 527 to 565 A.D. the city became stronger and richer. Many of the most important buildings, that are still significant monuments, where built in that period.

Since 626 A.D. and for many years the city was besieged by many nations, but succeeded in keeping its Christian religion and its Greek character.
The golden era of Byzantium lasted from 867 until 1081, where Byzantium defeated many enemies and external threats. Later during the rein of the Dynasty of Komninon the city lost many of its territories. While in the years that followed the Byzantine Emperors did not succeed in overcoming the various crusade invasions and Byzantium fell into decline until the year 1260 where the dynasty of Palaiologoi undertook the empire.

In 1453 Constantinople passed into the Ottoman rule after a really long siege. The city endured many damages and destructions. The fall of Byzantium is considered a milestone in history because it meant the fall of the Byzantine Empire and the end of a great era.

In the following years Constantinople was inhabited by Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews. Even though the Greeks were considered a minority they managed to keep elements of their culture alive.
After the devastation of Asia Minor in 1922, Kemal Ataturk‘s triumph and the uprooting of Greeks from Asia Minor, Constantinople stopped being the capital of Turkey and was officially named Istanbul.

In 1955 a bomb in the house where Kemal was born in Thessaloniki triggered the events of September in Istanbul where the Turks rose and looted the entire city. There were many disasters and many victims from that day. Most Greeks had to abandon Istanbul since their possessions were lost in one day.         

Nowadays Constantinople or Istanbul is a densely populated modern city divided in two parts, the European and the Asian. There are of course some Greek neighborhoods such as Beyoğlu. There are many rich neighborhoods with big complexes and apartment buildings in Istanbul but there are also some really poor neighborhoods.      

Hotels in Istanbul

Search for the best hotels in Istanbul. From luxury 5 star hotels to cheap hotels, apartments and hostels. Select through our recommended hotels that are found in our page Istanbul Hotels and live the magical atmosphere that the city spreads.

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