From the City of Ages, to the European Capital of Culture 2010 : Istanbul

During the excavation works of the Marmara Subway project, a settlement has been discovered. It brings to light the 8500 years of historical development of Istanbul as a settlement and civilization center. Because of its strategic position , Istanbul was the capital city of several civilizations. In the ancient ages Istanbul was a city state and it had to visit the Romans for developing and its golden age.

During the Byzantine period the city was the shinning star of medieval European darkness. Istanbul bestowed on world culture Hagia Sophia, while the remains of ancient cultures in Europe were devastated. After the conquest of Istanbul by Ottomans in 1453, the city returned to its glorious and wealthy days. Even in the days of decline and collapse period of Ottoman Empire. Istanbul did not lose its charm and importance. After the proclamation of republic, the city was changed radically. On the north part of Golden Horn appeared new settlements. The city was surrounded with slums as a result of industrialization period of the 1950″s. Today’s Istanbul tries to transform urban sprawl into modern settlement. The European Capital of Culture 2010, Istanbul awaits visitors from all arround the world with its cultural heritage, ambiance, and modern face.

Roman and Byzantine Period (3rd cent. BC – 1453)

The first settlement on the Historic Peninsula the pagan Byzantium. After the decline of Rome, Constantinople became the strongest city of the world and new center of Christianity. Constantinople, built on seven hills, just like Rome, was the exhibition platform for the rulers. In order to demonstrate their might, they ordered the construction of palaces, churches, cisterns, monuments and the Hippodrome. The magnificent examples of oriental influenced and domed architecture of Byzantine can be seen in Hagia Sophia and the works of civil architecture such as Hippodrome, Tekfur Palace, and Basilica Cistern. The most beautiful pieces of Byzantine mosaics are also in Istanbul.

Towers and Monuments

• Column of Arcadius (Avrat Taş, 395-408)
• Burnt (Constantine) Column (Çemberlitaş) (330)
• Hippodrome (203) :

It was commissioned by Septimus Severus (just like Circus Maximus in Rome) for chariot races. It was enlarged by Constantine I in 325. The U-shaped racetrack was about 450 m long and 130 m wide. Its stands were capable of holding 100,000 spectators with 40 steps. The actual track is some 5 m below the present surface. The surviving monuments of the Spina (the middle barrier of the racecourse), the two obelisks and the Serpentine Column, now sit in holes in a landscaped garden.

• Galata Tower (1384) :

The tower was built on the highest point of city walls, in the time of Genoese colony in 1384. In 16th century it was used as dungeon for the Kasımpaşa fleet captives. In Selim II era the tower had been used for an observatory. Until 1964, it’s been used as fire tower. In 1967 the tower remained closed for the restoration. Having been restored in 1967, the tower was once again opened to the public. During the restoration the modifications of Ottoman era have been reevaluated and the authentic Genoese touch has been reconstructed. Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi flew using artificial wings for gliding from this tower over the Bosphorus.

• Goths Column (4th century)
• Columns of Constantine (Örülü Sütun, 944)
• Column of Marcian (Kıztaşı, 452)
• Million Stone (4th cent.): Million Stone, that stands today near Basilica Cistern had been perceived in Byzantium as the center and zero point of the city.
• Theodosius Obeliks (394 – 395)
• Serpent Column (Burmalı Sütun, 324)
• Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) (B.C. 410) :

The architectural process goes backs to 341 BC. In 410 BC the iron chains were strached between Sarayburnu and the Island, and then the tower became customs maritime station. During the conquest of Istanbul the tower the tower was used for defense purposes. With the addition of a beacon, the tower gets the guide function. After the fire of 1719, which had started by flames of beacon, the tower had been repaired and it has been slightly renovated. A glassed chalet and leaded dome have been built. The entire building has been masonry rebuilt. In 1920 the tower gets a new automatic lighting system. Until 1959 the building served as radar station. Nowadays the tower is being used as restaurant.

Aqueducts and Cisterns

• Basilica Cistern (527) :

The cistern was built in 6th century by Roman Emperor Justinian in order to provide water for the city. This cistern is underground chamber of 143 m by 65 m. The ceiling, which covers 9,800 sqm, is being carried 336 marble columns, each 9 m. high. The capitals of the columns are mainly Ionic and Corinthian styles, with the exception of a few Doric styles with no engravings. The bases of two of the columns reuse earlier blocks carved with the head of a Medusa. They are located in the northwest corner of the cistern. The origin of the two heads were brought to the cistern, in order to protect it from evil. According to legend she was one of three gorgons, a female monster, gazing upon her would turn onlookers to stone. The cracks and the columns were repaired in 1968. Having been restored in 1985 by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the cistern was once again opened to the public in 1987.

• Makios Cistern (Altınmermer, 5th century)
• Philoxenus Cistern (Binbirdirek Sarnıcı, 4th century)
• Studion Cistern (5th century)
• Theodosius Cistern (Şerefiye Sarnıcı, 4th century)
• Valens Aqueduct (Bozdoğan Aqueduct, 364) :

The Aqueduct of Valens is the oldest aqueduct of İstanbul.The aqueduct commissioned by the order of Emperor Valens. During the reign of Theodosius I, it was extended to the other water resources.The aqueduct was the major water providing system of ancient Istanbul for more than 1500 years. It provided the water of Basilica Cistern.The Aqueduct of Valens had a length of 970 m and a maximum height of approximately 23 m (63,5 m above sea level).