The history of Istanbul dates back 8500 years with the Neolithic age settlement that came to light with the excavations of Yenikapı Theodosius Harbor, and a new era was opened about the cultural, artistic, geological change and urban archeology that the city went through in this process.
It was the capital of three universal empires such as Rome, Byzantium and Ottoman Empire. M.S. In the 4th century, the Roman Empire expanded greatly; Due to its strategic location, Istanbul was chosen by the Emperor Constantine the Great as the new capital instead of Rome. The city was reorganized in more than 6 years, the walls were expanded, temples, official buildings, palaces, baths and hippodrome were built. With great ceremonies held in 330, the city was officially declared as the capital of the Roman Empire. The city, which was known as the Second Rome and New Rome in the period when the modern age began, was later named "Byzantion" and later Constantinople. Among the people, the name of the city has been referred to as "Police" throughout history.
It is understood that the efforts of the emperors after the Great Constantine to beautify the city continued. The first churches in the city were also built after Constantine. Due to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, Istanbul has been the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) for many years. The city was rebuilt in the Byzantine period was extended again by walls. Today's 6492 m. long magnificent city walls, Emperor II. It was built by Theodosius. In the 6th century, the city, whose population exceeded half a million, experienced another golden age under the rule of Emperor Justinian. Hagia Sophia, which has survived to the present day, is a work of this period.
The Latin domination, which was a dark period between 726-842, started with the invasion of the city in 1204 by the 4th Crusade, and the city was plundered for years, up to all churches, monasteries and monuments. The city, whose administration was taken over by the Byzantines in 1261, could not regain its former wealth. Istanbul fell into the hands of the Turks in 1453, after a 53-day siege.
The large cannons of Mehmet the Conqueror, used for the first time in the history of the war, are an important reason for overcoming the walls of Istanbul. The capital of the Ottoman Empire was moved here, the population of the city was increased with the immigrants brought from various parts of the country, and the construction works of the empty and ruined city were started. Freedom of religion and social rights were granted to the old people of the city and they were allowed to continue their lives. A century after the conquest, Turkish Art left its mark on the city, and domes and minarets dominated the silhouette of the city. Since the 19th century, the Ottoman Sultans became the Caliphs, and Istanbul became the center of the entire Islamic world.
Under the rule of the sultans, the city was completely reconstructed and took on a fascinating atmosphere. The Sultan Palace, located in the old acropolis, has a unique view of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. After the frequent contacts with the Western world from the 19th century, mosques and palaces began to be built on the shores of the Bosphorus in the style of European architecture. Many palaces built in a short time are also symbols of the last period of the Ottoman Empire. At the beginning of the 20th century, Istanbul witnessed the end of the Ottoman Empire.
While the Ottoman Empire crumbled and internal and external enemies struggled for their share; With the support of the Turkish Nation, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, together with his comrades, embarked on a struggle for the liberation of the homeland. Following the War of Independence, which was won by the will of the nation; The Republic of Turkey was established in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In this process, the relocation of the capital to Ankara did not change the importance of Istanbul. This unique city continues to be one of the most important culture-tourism-art-finance and trade capitals in the world with its fascinating appearance.
