It’s not for everyone but some with a strong cultural curiosity will find Istanbul irresistible. The city was founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BC. Roman emperor Constantine the Great renamed it first as New Rome and then as Constantinople, after himself. It was named Istanbul in 1930. To say it is rich in history is an understatement. Along with its storied past as a key city in Mediterranean history, it has religious significance to match. Both Muslims and Christians fought for the city and claimed it for its religious significance. On the west side of the Bosporus, Istanbul lies in Europe. On the east side, in Asia. The Bosphorus Strait is the only Mediterranean access to the Black Sea.
Blue Mosque and minaret on the skyline
Sis kebab was invented here and when you try Kahvesi (Turkish Coffee) you’ll think it was as well. There are Greek influences as well as flavors from the middle east. One of my favorites was the Kuzu tandir a lamb and rice dish slow cooked in a tandoor style. Locals have a unique way of cooking the lamb with little more than olive oil, salt and pepper, rosemary, lemon juice and bay leaves to produce a wonderful flavor.
As always, we walked the streets a bit. What better way to get a feel for a place? And to meet the dogs and cats that call Istanbul home. We bought some dog food at a conveniently located pet store and proceeded to feed half of them. We were surprised that the cats liked it but they jumped right in.
Be sure to enjoy a Turkish bath. I followed mine with an intense Turkish coffee but some may opt for raki, an anis based liquor. I’ll not spoil the fun of the bath experience. Enjoy.
You can find a great article on Istanbul here, in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).
