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Istanbul: Port Info
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Byzantium, New Rome, Constantinople, Istanbul. Four cities, three empires, a history of over 3000 years of flourishing commerce between east and west. With Rome and Athens, Istanbul has written the most ancient and important history in the Mediterranean and signs of its power are evident in all monuments and remains.
Presently Istanbul is a very modern city, with over six million inhabitants at the same time maintaining its traditions and a deep tie to its roots. The Greeks named it Byzantium, while to the Romans it was the east version of Rome as it was built on seven hills. The emperor Constantine, confronting with the greatness of the city, transformed it into the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
The city is divided in two, and is the only city in the world half built in Europe and half in Asia. The Galata Bridge, 1560-metres long joins the two parts and represents to the Turks both east and west and the meeting point of the old and the new. Museums, monuments, mosques, shops and picturesque bazaars, quiet parks, excellent hotels and very good restaurants and a busy night life guarantee entertainment, 24 hours a day.
Saint Sophia Basilica, presently a museum, is an extraordinary example of architecture with marble, metal and precious stones decorating the walls and galleries. The Blue Mosque, (Sultanhamet Mosque) had been conceived to supersede the basilica in beauty. With 6 minarets and its domes, it is one of the most beautiful and popular Islamic religion centres in the world. The Hippodrome was for centuries the core of public life. Of the original structure we can presently admire Theodosius Obelisk, the Serpentine Column in bronze and the brick Obelisk. Topkapi museum is the most important in the city. It contains Turkish ceramics, arms, china, books, miniatures and the treasure with jewels of the emperor, besides the relics of Mohammed, the Islam prophet.
Turkish cuisine is undoubtedly worth mentioning. Specialities include the cerkez tavugu (Circassan chicken), and biber dolmasi (stewed peppers with filling). Cakes are excellent: hanim gobegi (woman belly), and dilber dudagi (lady mouth) are just two examples of a variety of delicious specialities.
Istanbul is particularly good for shopping, both in the ancient bazaar and in modern shops, for simple objects and for finely manufactured jewels. The Grand Bazaar, in the old city is beyond all doubts the commercial centre tourists prefer. Its small alleys and stalls present a variety of opportunities: jewels, carpets, particularly Anatolian is the most popular. Copper, onyx and leather objects are also finely handmade as well as typical teapots. |
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