ISTANBUL ( NOT CONSTANTINOPLE) !

Is Istanbul not Constantinople ( or the question is - was Istanbul not Constantinople)?...In fact it was and it is. Istanbul has had so many names, nowadays nobody remembers those beautiful names. Well maybe a few people who are into history know some of the names but not your average Istanbul’lu( Istanbulite).

The Ottomans(1299-1923) took over Istanbul/Constantinople in 1453. Starting with this period until 17th century Ottoman Empire spanned 3 continents(Europe,Asia and Africa). Istanbul was always the centre of any interactions between East and West.In its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922).

The Ottoman Kings surprisingly, used Constantinople, as well as Bab-i Ali and Dersaadet. Other popular names for Istanbul were Byzantine, Nea Roma, Tsarigrad, Stinpolis, Islambol, Dar’ussaadet. According to Professor Ilber Ortayli (a very sweet and cool Turkish professor, and fortunately popular these days) Ottoman Emperors finished their writings with the phrase“ Be makam-i Konstantiniyye el mahmiyye (Well Protected Constantinople Centre)” - it’s old turkish but I tried my best to translate it.

I would like to introduce Ilber Ortayli a little bit: he is an important academician and speaks/reads about 15 languages. After teaching in several universities in Europe,Russia and Turkey he became head of the Topkapi Palace Museum (where Ottoman Kings lived almost 400 years) in Istanbul, which is another great reason to visit the Palace. It’s probably the most important museum in Turkey. I have to add that when you visit this place that you will have also probably the best view of Istanbul,oops Constantinople.

PS :

1- Did I forget to mention that Konyali Restaurant (one of oldest restaurants in Istanbul with the best location) is in Topkapi Palace. I swear to God , once you eat a Doner Kebab there , you’ll never even walk by those falafel,shwarma etc... things in North America.

2-The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.