Did you know these facts about Istanbul?

Istanbul (ancient Byzantium) was founded on Seven Hills like Rome.

Istanbul is the only city in the world which is both in Europe and Asia geographicaly.

 

Istanbul was the most crowded city of the world in 1502, than London took this title in 1840.

Istanbul was the capital city of the Byzantine Empire and than the Ottoman Empire during their rule.

Blue Mosque is the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets. It’s the only one in the city having six of them, which is the maximum number you can have in a mosque.

There are two suspension bridges on the Bosphorus Strait connecting Europe to Asia. And now a third one is planned.

 

Istanbul has the third oldest subway in the world, built in 1875. It’s 573 meters long and located in Tunel neighborhood at Beyoglu district. London subway was built in 1863 and New York subway in 1868.

Grand Bazaar is the biggest old covered bazaar in the world, with over 4.000 shops.

 

 

Hagia Sophia was the largest church in the world for about 900 years.

 

 

Four bronze horses which are decorating today San Marco Cathedral in Venice, were taken from Istanbul (Constantinople back than) by the Crusaders in the 13th century.

 

Sapphire skyscraper at Levent district is the tallest (261 meters – 856 feet) building between Dubai – Frankfurt on the world map. Second tallest building in Istanbul is Is Kule owned by Is Bank, 181 meters (594 feet) high.

 

During the Middle Ages in the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul had over 1.400 public toilets in the city meanwhile there weren’t any even at the palaces in France and other European cities.

Agatha Christie wrote her famous novel “Murder on the “Orient Express” at Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul.

The millennium stone at Sultanahmet square Istanbul was the zero meridian point of the world once upon a time.

Kasikci diamond one of the greatest pieces of the world and is displayed in Topkapi Palace.

 

 

Three of the 10 remaining icons of the world and according to the belief of Orthodox, Jesus Christ’s cross which he was crucified are in Hagia Yorghi church.

Hope to see you soon in Istanbul.