Istanbul

History of Istanbul

Istanbul is situated like an open-air museum on both shores of the strait which is 33 km in length and separates the continents of Asia and Europe. We know that habitations had existed in the whereabouts of Istanbul during the Neolithic age. The first habitation succeeding these ones, came into existence in Kadikoy which was named Khalkedon in the VII century B.C. The city that was founded later on the opposite shore of Khalkedon, namely Byzantium , progressed rapidly because of its importance and became an important center.

The Roman Period of Istanbul

This progressive city became subject to Roman sovereignty, was adorned with temples and public squares during the period of Constantinus, and was surrounded by city walls. The city was made the capital of Rome in the year 330 and named Constantinapolis and, after Rome was divided into two parts as the Eastern Rome and Western Rome, it was made the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire .

The Ottoman Period of Istanbul

When the Ottomans captured Byzantium in the year 1453, Istanbul was converted into the capital of the Ottoman Empire. It has stayed as the capital and the most important trade city of Anatolia until collapsing of the Ottoman Empire.

Historical Remains

Many historical works of art showing traces of these empires have been able to survive up to date. The obelisks belonging to the Roman period, which were used as ornaments of the public square Sultanahmet , are still maintained in their places today. One of these is the obelisk which Theodosius I had ordered to be brought from Egypt in the year 390; it is 18.54 m (61 ft) in height and seems magnificent today with the hieroglyph scripture on it. Another column which is seen here is the braided column with a height of 20.68 m (68 ft), which Constantinus VII had ordered to be erected in the year 944. The third column, formed by three winding snakes, was ordered to be brought from the Temple of Apollon in Delphi in the year 360 by Constantinus I.

Historical Remains from Byzantium

The most important historical remain belonging to Byzantium is Hagia Sophia . Justinianus had this most magnificent temple of the world constructed between the years 532-537 in the place of a temple which had existed there formerly, and it contains very valuable mosaics and is still visited as a museum today. St. Irene located at its side which Justinianus had ordered to be constructed in the year 537, is also being used as a museum until 2020. In 2020, Hagia Sophia is turned into a mosque.

The Monastery of Chora , which attracts attention owing to the mosaic artworks inside, and the Mosque of Fethiye, Maiden’s Tower, and Underground Cistern are also historical Byzantine artworks  and being visited as museums at present.

Historical Remains from Ottomans

When Istanbul was conquered by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453, the buildings of Byzantium  were repaired and new ones were built, and the architectural activities were continued. For example, the magnificent Topkapi Palace the domicile of the Sultan and center of government administration was constructed. The palace which was built between the years 1472-1478, later acquired the identity of a great city of 700,000 sqm owing to the extensions which the other sultans ordered to be made and to its population exceeding 10,000. It is a magnificent museum today which contains the seraglio and where the treasures belonging to the Ottoman Empire are exhibited.

The Dolmabahce Palace  was constructed during the years 1843-1853 and the Ottoman  Sultans started to live in it. Sultan Abdulaziz had the Beylerbeyi Palace constructed on the opposite shore of the Bosphorus  between the years 1861-1865. Besides these palaces, which are used as museums at present, many buildings that have survived until today such as the kiosks named Kucuksu, Chalet, Malta, and Aynalikavak, are also open to visitors and are used as museums. In addition to these palaces, many historical mosques, which form the silhouette of Istanbul, are also places worth visiting.

Istanbul is adorned with the works of Sinan the Architect , who was a great master of perfection during the Ottoman period in the 16th century. Some of Sinan’s masterworks that show his genius is; the Sehzade Mosque which he built for Prince Mustafa, son of Suleyman the Law Maker in the years 1543-1548; the Mihrimah Mosque which he built in 1548; the Suleymaniye Mosque  which he built in the years 1550-1557; and the Rustem Pasa Mosque , completely adorned with encaustic tiles of Iznik , which he built in the years 1550-1557. The Sultanahmet Mosque , which Sultan Ahmet I had ordered Sedefkar Mehmet Aga to construct between the years 1609-1617, is one of the most important works of art worthy of seeing in Istanbul because of the encaustic tiles therein.

The Archeological Museum of Istanbul situated near the Topkapi Palace is one of the richest museums in the world. There are many other museums in Istanbul besides this one, such as The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts , Museum of Tapestry, and Museum of Sadberk Hanim. Istanbul, the city of beauties where history and nature are interwoven, maintains its quality of one of the most interesting centers in the world.

The porcelain is from two late Ottoman factories, both in Istanbul, the so-called Eser-i Istanbul ware being produced at Beykoz, and Ay-Yildiz ware at the imperial factory at Yildiz.

The Beykoz factory was founded by the Nazir of Tophane, Ahmet Fethi Pasha near the village of Beykoz on the Bosphorus in 1845, during the reign of Abdulmecit. Ware produced here bears the mark ‘Eser-i Istanbul’ either stamped on or inscribed in blue, red and gold. They were similar in quality to European porcelain of the period, whereas one couldn’t tell them apart if it wasn’t for the trademark stamp. The Eser-i Istanbul wares are undated and unsigned. Although anonymous, there are some extremely fine pieces of both porcelain and ceramics in the collection. These are mainly lidded bowls, vases, sweet broth or asure jugs, and plates. Much of this ware is decorated with multi-colored floral bouquets although some unembellished white wickerwork ware also exists. The collection also includes some ceramic tiles bearing the stamp of the factory.

Ay-Yildiz ware, also a luxury ware, was the product of the Imperial Factory or Fabrika-i Humayun built by Abdulhamit II on the grounds of Yildiz Palace. Some ware was distributed as gifts but most of it remained in the Palace. Ware produced here was dated and stamped with a star and crescent. Much of it bears the names of the craftsmen and artists who worked on it. The factory remained open until the deposition of Abdulhamit II in 1909, when it was attached to the Imperial Museum, whereas work continued there until it closed just prior to World War I. Almost the entire collection of “Ay-Yildiz” ware in Topkapi belonged to the Yildiz Palace, only a very few other pieces were acquired through purchase or bequest. Much of the collection consists of vases, plates, wall plaques and tea and coffee sets. Various groups of ware can be identified by their composition. Some bear the monogram of Abdulhamit II and the imperial coat of arms, and in certain cases the monogram is inscribed in both Arabic and Latin characters. Plates bearing the portraits of the Ottoman sultans and tea and coffee cups bearing a series of imperial portraits of all the sultans since Osman I, and 32 in all, are among the most important pieces in the collection. Among the illustrated ware, one group bearing views of Istanbul, mosques, fountains and palaces-mainly on plates, plaques and vases-is of particular interest. A number of others are decorated with floral bouquets and fauna.

It is known that glass was produced in the Ottoman capital from an early period, whereas we can identify the sites of glass workshops in Istanbul dating from the 16th century onwards. The earliest such workshops were located Ayvansaray and Balat on the Golden H, as well as in the Tekfur Sarayi vicinity. During the late Ottoman period, glass workshops were opened on the Asic shore of the Bosphorus in Beykoz Pasabahce, Cubuklu and Incirli. Istanbul ware consequently tends to be referred as “Beykoz” ware. Glassware from imperial factories at Beykoz was awarded a medal at the London Exhibition of 18 and ware from the imperial factor) Incirli was displayed at the Paris Exhibition of 1855. According to museum records, a large quantity Beykoz ware, namely the filigree ware known as Cesm-i Bulbul was purchased by the museum in 1884. The Pasabahce factory is still in existence.

The great majority of the ware in the collection dates from the 19th century, and there are four main types; Cesmi- Bulbul, a form of fine glass mosaic filigree ware similar to Venetian Latticino; opalines; colored ware; and clear glass and crystal.

Rosewater sprinklers; including some in the form of birds and pistols are of particular interest. Tall, narrow tulip specimen vases dominate the collection. Other objects of note include bowls and ewers, decanters and iceboxes.

An unusual group of Meerschaum biscuit ware, some of which are glazed yellowish-brown and gilded, and a few pieces glazed black and inlaid with silver are also notable. Known as Tophane ware, these artifacts, mainly coffee-cups, trays, writing sets, pipes, hookah bowls, coffee jars and sugar bowls were the products of workshops located on Luleci Hendek Street in Tophane, Istanbul. The finest examples date from the 19th century. At the peak of production there were nearly 60 operating workshops in Tophane, the last of which closed down in 1928. Most ware of this kind are signed and some are dated.

The Turkish capital of Istanbul is putting the finishing touches to the year-long programme of events and actiivities that will put the city in the world´s cultural spotlight next year. As European Capital of Culture 2010, the city is preparing an impressive schedule that looks set to impress everybody from fully-fledged culture vultures to curious bystanders. The city looks set to see increased numbers of tourists head here in 2010, keen to discover just what special ingredients in the cultural mixing pot led to the honour of being named European Capital of Culture by the European Union. A varied programme of events combining music, theatre, dance, art, film and folk traditions is planned for the city, with dedicated children´s events aimed at encouraging even the youngest of travelers in Istanbul to take place in the cultural fun.

Visitors to Istanbul in 2010 will be among the first to see the much-publicised new statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the leader of the Turkish Republic who died in 1938 and remains a national hero. Acclaimed Turkish sculptor Rahmi Aksunger began work on the sculpture in June 2009 and the finished work will be a bronze sculpture of around three-and-a-half metres in height.

The city´s art galleries will host numerous special events throughout the year, aimed at introducing a whole new audience to the Istanbul art scene and children haven´t been left out of the picture. The Contemporary Art for Children Exhibition will travel to various locations throughout Istanbul throught the year and is aimed at highlighting differences in the way adults and children perceive places and objects. As well as celebrated Turkish artists, local children have contributed works to the exhibition and young visitoris are encouraged to unleash their own creative side.

Turkish music has its own distinctive style and sounds and the city will host many music-themed events during its year as European Capital of Culture. From the unforgettable sounds of the lute and cymbals to the soft sounds of Turkish classical music, visitors to Istanbul in 2010 can expect to hear all music of all styles and sounds at specially commissioned events throughout the year. The city´s many concert halls, together with many public spaces, will be alive with the sound of Turkish music throughout 2010, as the world´s ears tune in to some surprising new styles and instruments.

Theater-goers will not be disappointed by events in Istanbul in 2010 either Among the key projects commissioned for the year as European Capital of Culture is the Turkish Universities Theater Festival, which will unite drama students from across the city in a varied programme of live drama performances, to take place not only in the theatres of Istanbul but also in the city´s parks and gardens. WIth a varied schedule of shows designed to cross age divides, there´s something for very age group lined up.

Visitors to Istanbul in 2010 can also expect to see colourful parades, dancing, traditional folk rituals and a whole host more – all reflecting the special nature of the city that has more than earned its place in the cultural spotlight.

The European Capitals of Sport Association (ACES) has elected Istanbul as European Capital of Sport for 2012. After holding the title of European Capital of Culture 2010, Istanbul fought off competition to be named European Capital of Sport by a unanimous decision. The ACES president, Gian Francesco Lupatelli, explained that Istanbul was chosen over its two main rivals following inspections at various sites, by a number of officials from the association.