Istanbul

The exotic crossroads of Europe and Asia

Istanbul is home to a layering of civilization on civilization, of empire built on empire. It's as momentous as Rome and as captivating as Paris. For centuries this city was a symbol of greatness and the center of civilizations as Black Sea and Mediterranean travel went through its strait. It served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman empires and the traditions inherited from 2,500 years of history are most evident in the Old City, known as Sultanahmet. A stroll through will reveal ancient Roman monuments, labyrinthine market places, and architectural splendors.

As a religious center (heart of the Greek Orthodox Church as well as the Islamic faith for centuries), Istanbul is the custodian of one of the world's most important cultural heritages and home to some of the most opulent displays of art and wealth, including monuments like the Hippodrome, Ayasofya and the sumptuous Topkapi Palace. Across the Golden Horn of the Bosphorus is the modern heart of the city, heir to the future of Turkey, pulsating with all the electricity of a cutting-edge international metropolis.

© 2009, Wiley Publishing, Inc.