Turkey is a friendly country for Russia, and most thoughtful and inquisitive tourists know not only Antalya and Belek, but also the ancient, colorful Istanbul. Many people know that it is the most popular city in the country (more popular than the capital Ankara), that the Bosphorus Strait divides it into two parts - European and Asian, and its Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar are listed among many in the list of must-see places In my life. But today we have collected for you a few facts that you might not know about Istanbul and which can rediscover the city for you.
- Istanbul is 1,700 years. The founding year of Byzantium is considered 667 BC, after about 200 years, Emperor Constantine moved here the capital of the Roman Empire and immodestly called the city Constantinople (New Rome somehow did not take root). But Istanbul had other names as well:
- Islambol and Istinpolin (Arabic)
- Tsarigrad (Bulgarian and Serbian)
- Istanbul (Turkish version, which was recognized as official in 1930).
By the way, Istanbul managed to visit the capital of the Roman, Latin, Ottoman and Byzantine empires.
- It is one of the most densely populated urban areas in Europe. The population of Istanbul and its environs has already exceeded 15 million and is growing by 3.45% per year - an unprecedented figure for Europe! Istanbul is one of the leaders in receiving refugees (more than 560,000 people have found a new home in the city), so only 26% of its residents are considered indigenous. Hello Moscow!
- UNESCO experts are so impressed with Istanbul that they included not individual objects on the World Heritage List, but entire areas!
- Archaeological Park (including the legendary Blue Mosque)
- Zeyrek (+ Pantokrator monastery)
- Bastion zone
- Suleymaniye (with the mosque of the same name, the Valenta aqueduct and the Shehzade mosque).
- A huge number of weddings take place here - more than 650,000 couples every year! According to that "marriage" parameter, it is the second in the world, second only to Las Vegas (third place, by the way, is in Tuscany, and not in Paris or Venice).
Turkish weddings are very spectacular and beautiful, however, rather long: a bride, matchmaking, a contract, an engagement - and only then is the celebration itself. It begins with the Night of Henna (kyna gejesi): the bride gathers guests in her house, who prepare a red veil for her and paint her hands with beautiful henna patterns (which must be bred in a bowl that was brought from the groom's house!). After the Night of Henna, a "delegation" from the groom comes to the bride's house, pays the ransom and takes her to the new house, where the newly-made mother-in-law meets her with an indispensable gift.
- Istanbul is a city of mild wonderful weather. The cold record (-16.1 Celsius) was recorded in February 1927, but in winter it is usually +3 ... + 9 degrees, the snow is frequent, but not dense. Spring and autumn are mild (however, the weather is constantly changing), and summer is warm and hot in places: from + 19 ... + 28 (the record took place in July 2000: +40.5 degrees).
- Hammam is the national pride of Turkey - more than 500 public institutions are represented in Istanbul! They are usually built according to the principle of a palm - 5 rooms heated to different temperatures (+ 30 ... + 55), reaching 100% humidity. Hammams are usually very beautiful: tiled, mosaic or marble, domed ceilings and stained glass windows. If you like to steam, go to the bathhouse at the Suleymaniye Mosque (dated back to the 16th century), to the Ali-Pasha hammam (it is simply gigantic, almost 1000 square meters!), Or to the legendary Khyurrem Sultan Bath (it is not far from the Hagia Sophia).
- The famous Grand Bazaar has been operating since the 15th century! It is still considered one of the largest markets on the planet (covered exactly): there are as many as 66 streets, on which there are 4,400 shops and 2,200 ateliers, 12 trade warehouses, 18 fountains, its own mosques and schools, restaurants and cafes, hotels, a hammam. Even the cemetery - and that is!
- Don't miss Topkapi Palace (Cannon Shot)! Its area is more than 700,000 square meters: in the complex, to be honest, there are as many as 4 palaces, the Church of St. Irene, the most beautiful marble gates (in fact, when the sultan left his residence through them and an honorable cannon shot was heard), treasury, shelter for the poor, stables, beautiful gardens and much, much more. The harem boasts 300 rooms for wives and concubines, but only the rooms of the legendary Hürrem are beautiful: gilded furniture, exquisite interior, mosaics on the walls ... The rest of the rooms are cramped and rustic.
- There is a church in Istanbul, completely and completely cast from cast iron - it is so unique in the world! This is the Bulgarian Church of St. Stephen, located right on the banks of the Golden Horn. It was cast from cast iron after a large fire that destroyed the original wooden version, so the Armenian architect Hovsep Aznavour decided to act now for sure.
- Istanbul is a recognized city of cats: mustache-striped here are full-fledged owners of streets and cafes. God forbid you to offend the cat, everyone here adores and respects them! According to Islamic legends, the cat was the favorite animal of the Prophet Muhammad, so the sultans willingly settled them in their palaces, and today residents treat them on the streets, arrange soft rookeries and wooden houses for them.
- The famous and mysterious "Orient Express" begins its train journey in Istanbul, heading for Paris. Since the maiden voyage in 1883, he has become a source of inspiration not only for Agatha Christie, but also for Sidney Sheldon and Graham Greene. By the way, despite the regular renewal of the composition, they try to maintain the traditional style that has been loved and time-tested: Art Deco, cozy luxurious coupes, beautiful refined finishes, heavy doors, many fresh flowers, leather sofas for relaxation and an excellent cuisine.
- Turks are clean in everything: Istanbul leads the world in the number of public toilets. They are literally on every corner, and a visit only costs a few Turkish lira. However, the level of comfort can vary.
- Turkey has one of the deepest railway tunnels in the world. The Marmaray, which runs under the Bosphorus, is as deep as possible 60 meters below the water level, goes 14 km (however, only 1.5 kilometers of its length go under water). It cost the authorities $ 5 billion, and in the future will become part of a huge rail route between South Korea and the UK. Only the Seikan tunnel (Japan) bypasses Marmaray in depth.
- Let's talk a little about food too? Surely you have heard (and tried) Turkish delight - without this delicacy it is impossible to imagine Turkey and the Middle East as a whole! Turkish delight was invented in the 18th century in Istanbul: it was prepared by the inventor Haji Bekir, a court confectioner. Already his grandson took the improved creation of his grandfather to an exhibition in Brussels, where he conquered all of Europe and received a gold medal for the quality of the dessert, after which he had already established constant supplies and production in Istanbul.
- And if you want something very special, try the Golden Cake at the Ciragan Palace! Figs, pears, quince and apricots are marinated in Javanese rum for 2 years (!), Then Polynesian vanilla and French wheat are added to them, all this luxury is sprinkled with grated black truffle and edible 24-carat golden flakes. All that remains is to pack the yummy in a silver box, seal it with a gold seal - and give it to the wealthiest sweet tooth, taking the allotted $ 2200.
