Istanbul is a city of mystery, a city of wonders, whose history is unique. Originally known as Byzantium, then renamed Constantinople, it served as the capital of three empires. Today, its architectural treasures are enduring legacies of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule.
Once a major stop along the Silk Road, Istanbul’s historic center is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It continues to offer up new discoveries and evidence of the daily lives of long-ago inhabitants. There are also reminders around every corner of the city’s place in world history, from Hagia Sophia to Topkapi Palace to the Chora Church to the underground ruins of the Byzantine Great Palace.
Serif Yenen, a Turkish tour guide, guidebook author, and filmmaker, delves into storied sites to visit, along with ones still waiting to be discovered by visitors.
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