St. Sophia Excavations by Dmitri KesselLIFE Photo Collection
Visiting Istanbul can be an unbelievably rich experience. The city is the only in the world to be divided between two continents. It has acted as the capital to three different major empires—Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman. With a bit of digging one can begin to see just how fascinating life has been there over the years. Here are nine little known facts about the historical gem that is Istanbul.
1. Hagia Sophia
“Badass Viking was Here”
St. Sophia Excavations Dmitri Kessel (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)
2. Dolmabache Palace
The Ottoman Empire Shows Its Brawn (In Gold)
Dolmabahçe Palace and Mosque (Mid-19th Century) by Robertson & BeatoPera Museum
Dolmabahçe Palace and Mosque Beato, Robertson, James Robertson Mid-19th Century (From the collection of Pera Museum)
The Dolmabache Palace featured 285 rooms, 44 halls, 68 toilets, 6 bathhouses, fourteen tons of gold decorating the ceilings, and the world’s largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers.
Dolmabahçe Palace Imperial Gate (Mid-19th Century) by Robertson & BeatoPera Museum
Dolmabahçe Palace Imperial Gate Beato, Robertson, James Robertson Mid-19th Century (From the collection of Pera Museum)
3. Topkapi Palace
The Sultan’s Harem
A look inside one of the Harems at Topkapi Palace
While harems are typically now viewed as one-dimensional, the truth is they played a large role in educating women to the point there were phases of the Ottoman Empire where critical decisions stemmed from women in the harem.
Women Drinking Coffee (First half of the 18th Century) by Jean-Baptiste VanmourPera Museum
Women Drinking Coffee Jean Baptiste Vanmour First half of the 18th Century (From the collection of Pera Museum)
4. Galata Tower
One Man’s Flying (Scientific) Feat
Istanbul by James BurkeLIFE Photo Collection
Istanbul James Burke (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)
To experience how truly daunting this could have been, check out the Street View of the Bosporus. Looking straight ahead the tip of the Galata tower can be seen.
Street View of Bosphorus
5. The Grand Bazaar
An Ancient Shopping Mall
Street View of the Grand Bazaar
6. Sultanahmet Peninsula
Tulip Mania
Istanbul by James BurkeLIFE Photo Collection
Istanbul James Burke (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)
To get an idea of how important tulips are, the Blue Mosque is covered with over 50,000 distinct blue and white tiles. Within those 50,000 tiles there are 50 distinct tulip designs similar to the ones in this picture.
Detail of tile panel (17th and 19th centuries) by UnknownShangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design
Detail of the panel, Unknown 17th and 19th centuries (From the collection of Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design)
7. Maiden’s Tower
The Emperor’s Daughter Gets Her Own Room
Kız Kulesi, Galata and Fındıklı Residential Areas (Late 19th Century) by Pascal SébahPera Museum
Kız Kulesi, Galata and Fındıklı Residential Areas, Pascal Sébah, Pascal Sébah, Late 19th Century (From the collection of Pera Museum)
8. Istiklal Street
The Red Fox Trots Quietly at Midnight
Trams in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Beyoğlu'nda Tramvaylar, Istanbul (2004/2004) by Nuri Bilge CeylanBorusan Contemporary
Trams in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Beyoğlu'nda Tramvaylar, Istanbul Nuri Bilge Ceylan, 2004/2004 (From the collection of Borusan Contemporary)
The tram tracks and the respective trams that line Istiklal have become iconic to representation of the Beyoğlu neighborhood.
Istiklal Avenue (2013/2013) by Erdal İnciBorusan Contemporary
Istiklal Avenue, Erdal İnci, 2013/2013 (From the collection of Borusan Contemporary)
9. Bosporus Straits
A Seafloor Museum
Istanbul Rest by Stan WaymanLIFE Photo Collection
Istanbul Rest, Stan Wayman (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)
Can you imagine peeking out your window and catching a fleeting glance of an illegal warship passing through a sliver of moonlight? Indulge your imagination and take a virtual tour of the Bosporus yourself.
Street View of Bosphorus