If the Earth was a single state, Istanbul would be its capital”. Napoleon Bonaparte said that many years ago. In the 18th century, the lively city also inspired the poet Alphonse de Lamartine to say, “If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul”. From then to the present day, the world has changed a lot. Empires have risen and fallen; however, those statements could still be true till this day.
For over 1500 years Istanbul has been ranked among the most important cities in the world. In the past, it reached worldwide fame thanks to its privileged location and to its political and economic relevance. It has been the capital of three major empires, and an important stop on the commercial route between Europe and Asia.