BITHYNIA
It
can be easily said that one of the most important city is Istanbul in Anatolia
mainly in border of Bithynia. This largest city having today around 20 million
population which is 16% of Turkey's population. And the 3rd largest
metropolitan area in Europe. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and
encricles the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn, locating on the
northwest of the country. It extends both on the European and on the Asian
sides of the Bosphorus thereby it is the only metropolis in the world that is
situated on two continents.
The history begins around 660 BC when the settlers from Megara under the command of King Byzas established on the European side of the Bosphorus. The city experienced a brief period of Persian rule around 5th century BC. Byzantium officially became a part of the Roman Empire in AD 73. Finally in 330 AD it was officially declared the capital of the Roman Empire. Although the city was initially called the Second Rome or New Rome, these names were soon forgotten to be replaced by "Byzantium" and in later ages by "Constantinopolis".
The Latin invasion was a dark page in the history of Istanbul. It started with the invasion of the city by the armies of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. increasing threats of the expanding Ottoman Empire finally came to an climax when, following a siege of fifty-three days in 1453, the city was captured by the Turks. The Imperial Topkapi Palace built on the site of the old acropolis commands an extraordinarily beautiful view of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. As a result of closer contacts with the West, mosques and palaces in European style were built along the shores of the Bosphorus by the 19th century. Till Republic Era it was capital city of Ottoman Empire.
After
having some information about İstanbul we can start our trip. Almost from any
country there is a direct flight to İstanbul. It would be offered to arrive at
night so you refresh yourself for morning program. Be ready to spend whole day
in Sarayburnu. Sarayburnu is a promontory separating the Golden Horn and the
Sea of Marmara in Istanbul. The area is where the renowned Hippodrome, Topkapı
Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Cistern locate.
