Istanbul is a city of legends and many unknown stories. It can take a whole lifetime to see everything this city can offer and the next day there will be some more. I will try to add some interesting facts in this post and keep this list alive as much as I can. I hope you will enjoy the list of 6 Interesting Facts about Istanbul.
Interesting facts about Istanbul begin with its position, because the city sits on two continents at once. My six facts below go from its 1,600 years as a capital to the seven hills, the old Tunnel metro and the Grand Bazaar. Read on for the details.
- Istanbul is a world city with an urban history of approximately 3000 years and a capital city of 1600 years, located at the intersection of the European and Asian continents. Istanbul which hosted different civilizations throughout all ages was the last capital of the Ottoman Empire.
- One of the first things that come to mind when it comes to Istanbul is, without doubt, the Seven Hills of Istanbul. Emperor Constantine built the city on seven hills based on the idea that there were the sun, moon, and five planets in the sky, which was a widespread belief. These hills in the Historical Peninsula; Sarayburnu, Nuruosmaniye, Beyazıt, Fatih, Yavuz Selim, Edirnekapı, and Kocamustafapaşa are the hills.
- Istanbul has been an important trade center throughout history due to its geopolitical location. The city connecting the two continents is the only city in the world that has this feature.
- Nostalgic Tunnel Metro, which is a popular destination for many tourists, is the second oldest subway in the world. The Tunnel subway, which runs between Şişhane and Karaköy, was built in 1875, 12 years after the London subway.
- The Grand Bazaar, which was started to be built in the period of Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1460, is now located in Beyazıt in an area of 47.000 square meters. The Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest bazaars in the world, welcomes an average of over 90 million tourists annually. The Grand Bazaar is massive with its 22 gates, 61 streets, and around 4000 shops.
- Istanbul has more population than many countries such as Belgium, Greece, Tunisia, and Portugal with its population increasing over 15 million.
Where to See the Seven Hills of Istanbul
The first hill is Sultanahmet, where Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace stand close together. The Grand Bazaar lies between the second and third hills, a short walk uphill, and the Süleymaniye Mosque crowns the third.
From ferry on the Golden Horn the hills are easy to see, because most of them still carry a big mosque on top. It is a good way to understand the shape of the city.
For the first hill I wrote a longer post on the attractions around Sultanahmet Square.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Istanbul the capital of Turkey?
No, the capital is Ankara. Istanbul was the capital of the Ottoman Empire until the Republic was founded, and today it is the largest city in Turkey.
Is Istanbul in Europe or Asia?
Both. The Bosphorus splits the city in two. Most of the old sights are on the European side, and districts like Kadıköy and Üsküdar are on the Asian side. Bridges, tunnels and ferries connect them.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
I think three full days is a good start: one for the old city, one for the Bosphorus and Beyoğlu, and one for the bazaars and the Asian side. More days let you slow down.
