100 Interesting Facts About Istanbul for Fervid Learners

(Last Updated On: April 16, 2021)

There are many interesting facts about Istanbul. Istanbul is the largest and most populous city in Turkey. Spread across the Bosporus Channel, Istanbul is one of the largest cities in the world known for its magnificent historical monuments and natural beauty. Istanbul is a major tourist attraction, with an amazing cultural and architectural heritage lounge. Not only is it locally popular, but it is also fast becoming a destination for international tourists. In this article, I am going to talk about some interesting facts about Istanbul

Interesting Facts About Istanbul

Here are some interesting facts about Istanbul that will definitely help you learn more about this great city:

In the 17th century, Ottoman Sultan Murad VI made the consumption of espresso a capital offense. In addition, to closing Istanbul’s many coffee homes, he would disguise himself as a commoner and stalk the streets of Istanbul together with his executioner, beheading any coffee-drinkers that he caught.

Every Saturday in Istanbul, a gaggle of girls gathers for a half-hour’s public silence to protest Turkey’s compelled disappearances and political murders. Considered a “model of civil disobedience”, they’re The Saturday Mothers.

Istanbul is the fastest-growing tourism vacation spot on the earth. According to an examination by MasterCard Worldwide Index on the earth vacationer vacation spot, Istanbul will surpass New York and Amsterdam by way of the variety of guests in 2011. 9.5 million individuals visited in 2012 and the Istanbul Cultural and Tourism Directorate recorded 10,474,867 guests in 2013.

It’s a typical false impression, however, Istanbul shouldn’t be the capital of Turkey – the capital of Turkey is definitely Ankara. This is one of the vital Istanbul facts.

Istanbul is dwelling to the best variety of mosques on the earth, exceeding 3,000 (Sultanahmet and the Sulemaniye mosques).

With a size of 573 meters, Istanbul is dwelling to the third oldest subway on the earth, right under London and New York.

Istanbul has identical inhabitants, 13 million, as one of many smaller nations of Europe – Belgium.

Istanbul has been the capital of a few of the greatest empires: Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman. It is now Turkey’s largest city with over 13 million individuals – greater than the inhabitants of Belgium – and the second largest on the earth by inhabitants inside city limits. However, it’s not Turkey’s capital. Ankara has been the capital since Turkey has proclaimed a republic by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923.

Istanbul is the one city on the earth that straddles two continents: Asia and Europe.

Istanbul, whereas being the traditional capital of many empires, from Rome to the Ottoman period, it isn’t the fashionable capital of Turkey as Ankara is.

Istanbul, which was once often known as Constantinople due to the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, is constructed on seven hills to match the seven hills of Rome.

Under the Ottoman Empire, the town was famed for having more than 1,400 public bathrooms, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

Istanbul is the one transcontinental city on the earth located on two continents, Europe and Asia. This is one of the crucial Istanbul facts.

With a population of 13.9 million, Istanbul is likely one of the largest city agglomerations in Europe and is the 2nd largest city on the earth by inhabitants inside city limits.

Istanbul is dwelling to the most mosques in Turkey. It has 3,113 mosques, together with the historic Sultanahmet Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque.

During the ninth century AD, two Vikings graffitied their names within the runes of Hagia Sophia. These carvings have survived since the Byzantium period, and are nonetheless viewable in modern-day Istanbul.

While not the capital, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city with greater than 13 million individuals – 99 p.c of that are Muslim.

Tulips, the image of Holland, originated in Istanbul and had been despatched from Istanbul to the Netherlands, a useful fact about Istanbul.

The Grand Bazaar is the most important outdated coated bazaar on the earth, with over 3.000 retailers.

British writer Agatha Christie wrote her well-known novel “Murder on the Orient Express” at Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul.

Istanbul is surrounded by sea, with the Bosphorus slicing proper via it. And but, snow is widespread within the city, with the annual common being 18 inches.

Istanbul has the same inhabitants – 13 million and rising – as one of many smallest nations in Europe, Belgium, Istanbul facts and figures.

In its 1000’s of years of historical past, it has been the capital of three nice empires – Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. However, the modern-day capital of Turkey is Ankara. This is one of the vital Istanbul Turkey facts.

Constantinople turned Istanbul as a result of individuals began referring to it as “The City” and the Greek phrase for “In The City” is pronounced “Is Tin Poli.” Over time, this turned Istanbul.

Istanbul has a merchandising machine that releases meals and water for the town’s stray canines in trade for recycled plastic bottles.

It has been a famous inspiration for authors from Paul Theroux and Ernest Hemingway to Orhan Pamuk and Abdülhak Sinasi Hisar, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul,

Istanbul was as soon as famed as probably the most crowded city on the earth – in 1502. This is one of the important Istanbul facts.

Istanbul has the third oldest subway on the earth, built-in 1875. It’s 573 meters long and positioned within the Beyoglu district.

Istanbul was the European Cultural Capital City in 2010 however has by no means hosted the Olympics.

It has been the capital of a few of the largest empires together with Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman.

Originally named the Tower of Christ, the Galata Tower was inbuilt 1348 on the apex of fortified partitions and was used to accommodate prisoners of warfare, later turned into an observatory, however, now affords a 360-degree viewing gallery of the town.

You may assume that tulips originate from the Netherlands. However, the primary tulips bulbs had been despatched from the Ottoman Empire to Vienna in 1554 and so they had been distributed additional to Augsburg, Antwerp, and Amsterdam. Afterward, they grew in recognition within the Netherlands as they proved to have the ability to tolerate the harsher climate circumstances.

The 4 bronze horses adorning the San Marco Cathedral in Venice had been taken from Istanbul (Constantinople at the moment) by the crusaders within the 13th century.

When Roman Emperor Constantine the Great made the town the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire in 330 AD, he determined to construct it on seven hills similar to Rome. The city additionally took his name – Constantinople (“City of Constantine”) after having been known as Byzantium since 660 BC. It was formally renamed Istanbul in 1930 however many nonetheless known as it Constantinople. To make sure the utilization of the brand new name, the Turkish submit workplace didn’t ship the mail addressed to Constantinople.

During the instances of the Ottoman Empire, there have been 1400 public bathrooms across the city whereas in the remainder of Europe there have been none. This is one of the Istanbul history facts.

Istanbul has the third oldest subway in the world. It was inbuilt in 1875 after those in London and in New York in 1863 and 1868, respectively. It is 573 meters lengthy and it’s positioned within the Beyoglu district.

British writer Agatha Christie wrote her well-known novel, Murder on the Orient Express at Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul. The Orient Express practice ran between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul) from 1883 to 1977.

The Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest historic bazaar on the earth with 3000 retailers protecting 61 streets. You would want three days to see all of them.

This city was once recognized by three names within the historical past as Istanbul, Constantinople, and Byzantium, and in addition some less-famous names like Lygos and New Rome. It was also called Stamboul. It is of significance due to UNESCO World Heritage websites within the Old city space, a useful fact about Istanbul.

The Golden Horn is the estuary that separates the European aspect of Istanbul into distinctive districts.

Due to the choking visitors throughout peak hours in Istanbul, taxi drivers could encourage you to cease close to your vacation spot as a substitute for sitting in visitors. It is greatest to have a map helpful to notice the place you might be alighting relative to your vacation spot.

Istanbul is best visited in late spring or early fall when the climate is nice for strolling excursions. Fewer crowds additionally imply much less ready time.

The nargile or Turkish water pipe, which was the middle of Istanbul’s social and political life continues to be fashionable with locals as we speak and is one thing attention-grabbing to strive.

Tea has become a nationwide drink solely lately. Before that, it was Turkish espresso however when it turned costly and tea leaves might be grown within the Black Sea area, tea took its place. Coffee can’t be produced in Turkey due to the unfavorable local weather for its manufacturing.

Istanbul was the European Cultural capital in 2010. Two years later it became the world’s fifth-most-popular vacationer vacation spot. Currently, it’s bidding for the 2020 Summer Olympics. This is one of the distinguished Istanbul facts.

A worldwide city, Istanbul is likely one of the fastest-growing metropolitan economies on the earth and accounts for greater than 1 / 4 of Turkey’s GDP, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

And in fact, it’s widespread information that Istanbul is the one city in the world to straddle two continents however nonetheless value mentioning. The historic heart lies on the European aspect of the town. The Bosphorus Strait divides the town (and implicitly the 2 continents) and is the hyperlink between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.

The Galata Tower built-in 1348, initially known as the Tower of Christ, was used to accommodate prisoners of warfare. It now affords a 360 view of the town.

In 1502, Istanbul was often known as being probably the most crowded city on Earth.

The worst riot in Istanbul’s historical past killed 30,000 individuals, burned down half the town, and was began due to a chariot race.

The Roman Emperor Constantine constructed the town on seven hills to match the seven well-known hills of Rome. Imperial mosques are positioned in each of those seven hills. Istanbul facts and figures.

Tulips are a widely known image of The Netherlands, nonetheless, the story originated in Turkey, after the flowers had been launched to The Netherlands by way of the Silk Road. To have fun with its fashionable flower, Istanbul (like Amsterdam) celebrates a Tulip Festival yearly across the time of April/May. This is one of the fun facts about Istanbul.

Some of the most effective nightlife venues that may be present in Istanbul are positioned within the Galata district. These venues embody Istiklal Street, Taksim Square, and Beyoglu.

Istanbul has by no means hosted the Olympics, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

The Blue Mosque is the one mosque within the city with six minarets. Legend has it that when it was constructed, it had one minaret greater than the Grand Mosque in Mecca (4 was the widespread most at the moment) and this was thought-about disrespectful within the Muslim world. In order to resolve the difficulty, yet one more minaret needed to be added to the Grand Mosque.

Hagia Sophia was the biggest church on the earth for about 900 years till Seville Cathedral was accomplished in 1520. It was additionally one of many 20 finalists for the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The cymbal producer Zildjian was based in Istanbul practically 400-years-ago. This is one of the Istanbul history facts.

Istanbul is in each Europe and Asia because it straddles the Bosphorus strait, which historically separates each continent.

Iceland has its personal name for Istanbul, which fits again to the time of the 11th-century Viking raids on the Black Sea, once they referred to it merely as the “Great City”.

There is a Down Cafe in Istanbul, whose total of employees has down syndrome, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

Turkey is about to start out constructing a 45 km lengthy canal connecting the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, that are already related via Bosphorus Straits in Istanbul.

‘Murder on the Orient Express’, the well-known novel was written by Agatha Christie, was written at a lodge in Istanbul.

Istanbul is legendary for its seafood eating places, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

It is a city of many names. The Megarian colonists gave the name ‘Byzantium’ (referred to the legendary King Byzas) in 660 BC. It was then known as ‘Constantinople’, named after the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The city was formally named Istanbul (comes from the Greek expression ‘Is Tin Poli’ (In The City)) in 1930. At one time limit, the Turkish submit workplace stopped delivering mail with the deal with ‘Constantinople’, as many individuals had been nonetheless utilizing it.

There is an island Sivirada off the coast of Istanbul, the place, in 1911, virtually 80,000 stray canines perished after being rounded up and exiled there. A severe earthquake adopted the occasion and was perceived by locals as “a punishment by God for abandoning the dogs.”

Around 60-years-ago there was a collection of riots organized by the Turkish authorities in opposition to Greeks residing in Istanbul, much like Kristallnacht.

Istanbul had over 1400 bathrooms for public use when the remainder of Europe had none. This is one of the significant Istanbul facts.

Sultanahmet or the Old City is the place a lot of the well-known historic sights of Istanbul are positioned.

Istanbul constitutes the nation’s financial, cultural, and historic coronary heart. It’s business and historic heart lies in Europe, whereas a 3rd of its inhabitants live in Asia.

The Grand Bazaar in operation since 1461, is likely one of the oldest and largest coated markets on the earth with 60 streets and 5,000 retailers. It attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 guests day by day.

While not the capital, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city with greater than 13 million individuals 4. 99 p.c of Istanbul’s inhabitants are Muslim

Galleria Ataköy which opened in Istanbul in 1987 ushered within the age of modern procuring malls in Turkey.

Istanbul was ranked seventh among the many fastest-growing metropolitan economies in accordance with a report launched by the Brookings Institution.

Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest coated bazaar with 5,000 retailers unfold in 60 streets.

The third oldest subway on the earth at 573 meters lengthy is in Istanbul. It was inbuilt in 1875 after those in London and in New York in 1863 and 1868, respectively.

Istanbul was as soon as acknowledged as probably the most jam-packed city on earth – in 1502.

Istanbul could be characterized by seven hills, every topped by imperial mosques, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

Although most taxi drivers are pleasant and trustworthy, they aren’t accustomed to English. It is greatest to make use of the written deal with your vacation spot when hailing a taxi.

The delicately preserved historical past permits guests to step again in time and relive Istanbul as the middle and mirror of two world empires and a couple of world religions over 16 centuries.

Istanbul has had a number of totally different names previously, together with Byzantium, Constantinople, Stamboul, and Tsarigrad.

Most guests to Istanbul are from Germany, Russia, France, UK, Netherlands, Italy, and Iran.

Mahmutpasha Bazaar has been Istanbul’s main spice market since 1660, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

Istanbul was the European Cultural Capital City in 2010 however has by no means hosted the Olympics.

Istanbul has the third oldest subway on the earth, inbuilt 1875, and is 573 meters lengthy.

While most retailers in Istanbul converse some English, it’s best to test and reconfirm costs to keep away from misunderstanding. Better but use a calculator to indicate the precise quantity.

The Hagia Sophia, constructed as an Orthodox Christian cathedral in 537 CE, was a mosque beneath Ottoman rule after 1453. It turned into a museum after the founding of contemporary Turkey in 1935. Prior to the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520, Hagia Sophia was the biggest church on the earth for about 900 years. It attracts over Three million vacationers a year.

Some of Turkey’s oldest sports activities golf equipment reside in Istanbul together with Beşiktaş J.Okay. which was established in 1903 as Turkey’s solely membership.

Leonardo da Vinci envisioned a bridge over the Bosphorus, 471 years earlier than the primary one was constructed, a useful fact about Istanbul.

Princes’ Islands is an archipelago of 9 car-free islands and a preferred getaway from the town. This is one of the crucial Istanbul Turkey facts.

Istanbul is the world’s high vacation spot within the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Destinations awards, voted for by thousands and thousands of holidaymakers, forward of Paris, New York, Rome, and London.

It has most mosque round 3,113 together with the historic Sultanahmet Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque.

The Galata Tower, built-in 1348 to accommodate prisoners of warfare, now affords a 360-degree observing platform of the town.

Istanbul is dwelling to the world’s largest diamond which is held in high-security circumstances at Topkapi Museum. The actual story about the way it was acquired is unknown however the well-known one is that it was discovered by a fisherman. He is unaware of its value, offered it to a jeweler for 3 spoons, and from there it discovered its option to Ottoman royalty palms.

Istanbul is legendary for its historic seafood eating places. The Kumkapı neighborhood alongside the Sea of Marmara alone homes some 50 fish eating places and lots of the city’s eating places line the shores of the Bosphorus.

To guarantee individuals used the Istanbul name in and after 1930, the Turkish submit workplace did not ship the mail addressed to Constantinople.

To punish disorderly male Istanbul supporters, the Turkish Soccer Federation determined to solely permit females and kids into the following two matches, versus holding them behind closed doorways. Almost 42 000 attended.

Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen airport is called after the world’s first feminine fighter pilot. Sabiha realized to fly in 1935 at age 23 and shortly turned a decorated pilot within the Turkish air force.

The Grand Market, in Istanbul, Turkey, attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 guests day by day, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

This city has been an inspiration to famed writers like Agatha Christie, Paul Theroux, Ernest Hemingway, and plenty of more. This is one of the crucial Istanbul facts.

Istanbul has the third oldest subway which was inbuilt in 1875 and is positioned within the Beyoglu district

While not the capital, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city with greater than 13 million individuals 4. 99 p.c of Istanbul’s inhabitants are Muslim, a useful fact about Istanbul.

The tallest constructing in Turkey is within the Levant which can be the primary ecological skyscraper of the nation. It is 238 meters above ground level.

Agatha Christie’s well-known novel “Murder on the Orient Express” was written at Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul. The Orient Express practice traveled between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul) from 1883 to 1977.

Istanbul has extra individuals residing within the city than Belgium Galata Tower, also called Tower of Christ, which was inbuilt 1348 on the entrance of fortified partitions and was additionally used as a jail. Now it’s used to offer a 360-degree view from the gallery

This city has been an inspiration to famed writers like Agatha Christie, Paul Theroux, Ernest Hemingway, and plenty of more

Istanbul is surrounded by sea, with the Bosphorus slicing proper via it. The European financial institution of the Bosphorus is dotted by palaces and parks whereas the Asian financial institution homes pretty residential neighborhoods.

The Galata Tower, inbuilt 1348 to accommodate prisoners of warfare, now affords a 360-degree viewing gallery of the town.

Most of Istanbul’s nightlife venues could be discovered within the Galata district which includes Beyoğlu, Istiklal Street, and Taksim Square. This is one of the fun facts about Istanbul.

Istanbul had 1400 public bathrooms across the city in the course of the instances of the Ottoman Empire whereas the remainder of Europe had none.

Valens Aqueduct carried water into the outdated city for greater than a thousand years. It was nonetheless energetic at the beginning of the 20th century, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.

There are 237 hammams in Istanbul however solely 60 of them are nonetheless in use. While decommissioned, the oldest and largest Hamam in Istanbul is the Tahtakale Hamami, relationship again to the 2nd half of the 15th century.

You will find a mosque in every corner of Istanbul. It has a total of 5 mosques, the highest in Turkey.

Istanbul is the only city in the world that is half in Asia and half in Europe. The Bosporus Strait, which divides the two continents, crosses Istanbul, and the link between the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea is fascinating!

Despite being the capital of many great ancient empires – Byzantine, Roman, Ottoman, Istanbul is not the modern capital of Turkey. Ankara, the Turkish capital.

Although not the capital of Istanbul, Turkey is the largest city with 13.5 million people living here

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul now stands as a magnificent historical museum but did you know that it was built as an Orthodox cathedral in 537 AD and converted into a mosque in Ottoman rule after 1453? It is the second most visited museum in Turkey and attracts more than 3 million tourists every year

Another interesting detail of Hagia Sophia is that it was the largest church in the world for almost 900 years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral of Spain in 1520.

Effective since 1461, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest markets in the world. It is a buyer’s paradise with more than 5,000 shops and 60 streets, attracting more than 300,000 visitors daily. The Grand Bazaar was the largest tourist attraction in the world in 2014 with an annual 91,250,000 visitors.

You might think tulips originated in the Netherlands but this is not true! The first tulip bulbs were shipped to Vienna from the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul in 1554 and were further distributed in the Netherlands. They became fond of beautiful flowers and started growing them later.

Although Istanbul is surrounded by the sea, passing through Bosporus through it, snow is quite common in the city, with an average of 17 inches annually.

That’s right! Built-in 1875, Istanbul is the third oldest subway system in the world. Originally located in the Bayougou District and 574 meters long, it is only older than the London Tube (1863) and the New York subway system (1868).

Although there was nothing in the rest of Europe, Istanbul’s Ottoman Empire had 3 toilets all over the city. This is one of the mentionable Istanbul facts.

Agatha Christie wrote the murder mystery novel “Murder on the Orient Express” at the Para Palace Hotel in Istanbul. The Orient Express train traveled between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul) from 1883 to 1977.

The Princess Islands is a chain of nine small islands located just off the coast of Istanbul that is only accessible by horse and carriage. You will not receive any traffic here as all motorized vehicles are prohibited on the islands. The Princess Islands are at the top of the list of must-visit places in Istanbul to avoid the busy city life of a day or two.

In 60 BC, Istanbul was called Byzantium by the Major Colonists. Later, when Roman Emperor Constantine the Great made it the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, it was named Constantinople. In 5, it was officially renamed Istanbul, but as people continued to call it Constantinople, the Turkish Post Office did not provide any mail addressed to Constantinople for years to ensure that people used the new name.

Four bronze horses adorning the San Marco Cathedral of Venice were taken by the Romans to the Hippodrome in Istanbul in the 13th century. This is one of the notable Istanbul facts.

At the 25 Travelers’ Choice Destination Awards, millions of voters voted for Istanbul to become the world’s top destination, which is one of the interesting facts about Istanbul.