"Istanbul-the meeting point of the... " a Istanbul Travel Page by voyageur2

Istanbul is a big city connecting two continents:Europe and Asia.
It is the most valuable city of Turkey because of its special place in all aspects of life(culture, history, politics, industry, arts etc.)
Its story goes back to mythological era. It was believed that Byzas is the founder of the city. Its first settlement(approximately Sarayburnu area in historical peninsula on European side) was called "across the land of blinds" by a magician. There was an earlier settlement on Anatolian side or Chalcedon(today, Kadikoy). Additionaly there are many proofs of ice age settlements(caves) around Istanbul. But city life probably began with Byzantion.
Commercial and political advantages made Istanbul an international point of interest and the city became the second Rome during Roman Empire. And it reached its peak in Byzantine era. Its central role of culture and civilisation progressed.
Financial and political crises, Crusader invasion in Byzantine era damaged the city and life seriously. And city earned its dynamism again because of its conquest by Turks on 29th May 1453.
Today, you can see its magnificent past in every corner though all negative efforts to destroy its unique values(architecture, nature, social life) by humans especialy during the last century.