“A European city in Asia and An Asian city in Europe.”

Istanbul a key point in geography, focal point of the interests of International powers, capital of empires, the only city in the world that belongs to two continents Europe and Asia. This unique position makes it the only city established on two continents where one could make an intercontinental trip on bus.

There is of course far more than geography to the magical hold Istanbul has exerted over man’s imagination throughout its fabled history. Three separate empires ruled the world from this powerful capital – the Romans, the Byzantines and the Ottomans. Traces of their presence – in ancient walls magnificent mosques, brilliant palaces – shape Istanbul’s alluring landscape and color its exotic texture. For more than 3000 years, this city has been a crossroads of cultures, a rendezvous of East and West.

The skyline of Istanbul is shaped and dominated by the domes and minarets of over 400 mosques. They are concentrated in what is called “ The Old City “ or the Historical Peninsula. The area of the Byzantine capital is still encircled by city walls.