The first time I visited Istanbul was about fifteen years ago. I was flying to Cairo. The "layover" was such that we spent a whole day in Istanbul. The Georgian airline, which values its image, provided us with a hotel and a city tour. That was when I first saw Istanbul.
A huge city: bazaars, mosques, ruins of ancient fortresses and castles... The guide told stories about the sultans, their feats, harems, and the riches of Turkish lands. We also went to the Bosphorus, crossing to the Asian shore on sightseeing boats, admiring the bridges and the views of the city from the sea. Istanbul left an impression as a beautiful and large Eastern city.
And now, a few years later, we are again in Istanbul, passing through on our way to the Middle East. Viktor Kadyrov, a well-known publisher in Bishkek and a regular participant in our travels, has a partner and good friend here, Ilyaz-bey, the owner of a large publishing house. To avoid wasting time, Viktor asked Ilyaz-bey to organize a tour and be our guide in Istanbul. Ilyaz-bey was happy to show his beloved city.
At nine in the morning, his car was already waiting at our hotel.
- Let's start with the fact that in 1453, a 250,000-strong army of Sultan Mehmed II besieged Constantinople. Emperor Constantine XII had only 7,000 warriors, but despite the overwhelming superiority of the Turks, the Byzantines held off the attacks for 53 days. However, on May 9, 1453, Constantinople fell.
From this time begins the history of Istanbul. Sultan Mehmed II moved the center of his empire to Constantinople. The city acquired a new face and a new name - Istanbul. Builders were invited here, who greatly changed the appearance of the city, giving it an Eastern flavor. Mosques, madrasas, Turkish baths, barracks for janissaries, fountains, gardens, and bustling caravanserais appeared here - in a word, everything that is hard to imagine a Muslim city without.
The new capital had nothing to fear; it became the center of a powerful military empire, where the sultan himself set an example of courage and led his army into battle.
