Istanbul May 2026

: After the Ottoman conquest by Mehmed II in 1453, the city became the seat of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 500 years. It was officially renamed Istanbul in 1930. Architectural Landmarks and Layers

Istanbul's history is often told through its three distinct eras and names: istanbul

: Founded by Greek settlers from Megara, the city began as a strategic trading post on the Bosphorus. : After the Ottoman conquest by Mehmed II