Two Weeks in Istanbul: A Journey Through Time and Culture

The city of Istanbul is a densely populated metropolis of over 16 million people. It is famously known as the city between two continents — Europe and Asia divided by the waterway known as the Bosporus Sea Strait. This is a Muslim city with the opportunity to explore and learn about its many ancient mosques, cultural landmarks and museums. There is a timeless charm to the city with its many bazaars, blue mosques, historic neighborhoods, and the daily chanting of the EZAN (call to prayer), both haunting and mysteriously charming. Truly a two-week journey through time and culture. Here is what I’ve learned…

First a Bit of History

Turkey has been around for so many centuries, having endured different civilizations and countless wars and conquests. I was a bit confused trying to understand the many civilizations that crossed this country. Here in a nutshell is a quick overview. Going back to 330 AD, it was founded then by the Greeks. From there, the Romans took over the city and named it Constantinople, making it the capital of the Roman Empire. Once the Roman Empire collapsed, the Ottoman Empire, mostly Turks, led by sultans, conquered, renamed it Istanbul and remained in power til 1922. After World War I, the Ottoman Empire was dissolved making Turkey a republic in 1923. Along the way, religion (both…