Today this city is one of the most modern capitals in the world, and an uninformed person would think that the history of Istanbul is not as long and dramatic as it really is. However, the city even changed its name more than once. But even with all the troubles, he managed to maintain its metropolitan significance for many centuries. People settled here even in prehistoric times - this place turned out to be so convenient. Today it is established that a settlement existed here as early as 6700 BC.
In the 7th century BC. the city located on this place bore the name Byzantium. It was founded by Dorian colonists. Five centuries later, the city became part of the Roman Empire. It was destined to receive the name New Rome when the Roman Empire split. Later it was renamed again, now to Constantinople. This happened in 330, when Emperor Constantine the Great decided to perpetuate his name in this way.
Constantinople
The city had a favorable strategic position, so the Ottomans and Crusaders tried to conquer it and annex it to their empire more than once. So he visited the capital not only of the Roman Empire, but also of the Byzantine, otherwise called Eastern Roman - from 395 to 1204. This large and wealthy European city was not ignored by the crusaders, having conquered it in 1204. Constantinople was plundered, the Latin Empire was established in the city. But in 1261 their rule ended when they were defeated by the rebellious Byzantium. And only in 1453 the Turks came here, establishing the Ottoman Empire here.
Istanbul
Since the time of the Ottoman Empire, the city has acquired its modern name "Istanbul". As the Turkish sultans conducted campaigns of conquest, the Ottoman Empire grew, but Istanbul continued to be its capital. It was a large trading city, and a very rich one, too. This was facilitated by its geographical position among the sea trade routes. The country was Muslim, so the city, along with the Christian shrines partially remaining there, was built up with amazingly beautiful mosques. The decline in the culture and significance of Istanbul occurs in the 17th century, when trade routes move to the Atlantic, while the city's revival begins in the 19th century - through the efforts of local authorities.
The 20th century began with an unusual episode in the history of the Turkish city - its conquest by the Entente. Many White Guards emigrated there from Russia. Perhaps this also influenced the transfer of the capital to Ankara, when the Turkish Republic was established, headed by the famous Ataturk.
However, even today Istanbul plays the role of the second capital of the country - trade and tourism. The end of the last century brought the following transformations here:
- reconstruction of airports for a large flow of tourists;
- subway and light metro construction;
- the device in the mountainous areas of the funicular.
This is the history of Istanbul in brief, you can get to know it in more detail by visiting excursions to memorable places.
