Istanbul’s historic monuments

In the Basilica Cistern deep beneath the streets of Istanbul lie mysterious statues of the monstrous gorgon

Istanbul, Turkey 1616 – Present

324 CE CONSTANTINOPLE FOUNDED Constantine selects Byzantium as ...

Stretching across two continents separated by the Bosphorus Strait, this ancient Silk Road city was once the capital of both the Christian Byzantine and Islamic Ottoman empires. Crumbling hammams rub shoulders with striking contemporary buildings, while the call to prayer from Hagia Sophia mosque can be heard from the 15th-century Grand Bazaar, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants. Istanbul is sewn together by a series of storied districts, which results in a varied hotel scene. Relive the Ottoman heyday in a Sultanahmet townhouse; book a boutique stay fuelled by cafes and galleries in Karaköy; or check in among the designer stores of Nişantaşı.

Ten creative thinkers who across the centuries helped shape Istanbul into the city it is today

Charles FitzRoy immerses us in the experiences of people who travelled to the city in the 18th century