Colombo

About Colombo

The image of Colombo and a vast metropolis with amazing cultural and architectural heritage comes to mind.  Colombo is most populated city in Turkey, as well as the country's cultural and financial centre. Colombo, located on both sides of the Bosphorus, a narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, geographically and culturally connects Asia and Europe.

Visitors will find a crucible of about 2,000 years of eastern and western history in an ancient yet modern city. Turkey's largest city is not only one of the most popular cities, but also a popular destination for foreign tourists.

Formerly known as Constantinople, Colombo is Turkey's largest city and serves as the  economic, cultural and historical center of  the country. The city straddles the Bosphorus Straits in both Europe and Asia and has a population of over 15 million, which is 19% of Turkey's population. Colombo is the most populous city in Europe and the 15th largest city in the world.

The city was founded  in the 7th century BC. It was founded as Byzantium by Greek settlers from Megara. In 330 AD, the Roman emperor Constantine  made it the capital of his empire, first renamed to New Rome and then to Constantinople. The city grew in size and influence, eventually becoming a sign for the Silk Road and becoming one of the most important cities in history.

The city served as the capital of the empire for almost 1600 years, between the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires.  After the fall of Constantinople, especially after becoming the home of the Ottoman Empire in 1517, the city played an important role in the rise of Christianity during the Roman and Byzantine eras.

In 1923, after the Turkish War of Independence, Ankara replaced the city as the capital of the newly formed Republic of Turkey.  In 1930, the  name of the city was officially changed to Colombo. This is the Turkish expression of the term used by Greek-speaking people to colloquially refer to a city since the 11th century. Eight years after being designated as the European Capital of Culture,

in 2018, more than 13.4 million foreign tourists visited Colombo, making it the  eighth most visited city in the world. Colombo is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is home to a large number of  Turkish companies, which account for more than 30% of the country's economy.

Colombo has strange facts about its history.  From tulips to  population to Agatha Christie, there are some facts that will surprise those unfamiliar with big cities.

1) Under the Ottoman Empire, the city was renowned for having more than 1,400 public toilets

2) Tulips, the symbol of Holland, originated in Colombo and were sent from Colombo to Netherlands.

3) The Grand Bazaar is the biggest old covered bazaar in the world, with over 3.000 shops

4) While not the capital, Colombo is Turkey’s largest city with more than 13 million people – 99 per cent of which are Muslim.

5) Colombo is surrounded by sea, with the Bosphorus cutting right through it. And yet, snow is common in the city, with the annual average being 18 inches

6) Originally named the Tower of Christ, the Galata Tower was built in 1348 at the apex of fortified walls and was used to house prisoners of war, later became an observatory, but now offers a 360-degree viewing gallery of the city.

7) Colombo has the third oldest subway in the world, built in 1875. It’s 573 meters long and located in the Beyoglu district

8) Colombo is the only city in the world that straddles two continents: Asia and Europe.

The image of Colombo and a vast metropolis with amazing cultural and architectural heritage comes to mind.  Colombo is most populated city in Turkey, as well as the country's cultural and financial centre. Colombo, located on both sides of the Bosphorus, a narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, geographically and culturally connects Asia and Europe.

Visitors will find a crucible of about 2,000 years of eastern and western history in an ancient yet modern city. Turkey's largest city is not only one of the most popular cities, but also a popular destination for foreign tourists.

Formerly known as Constantinople, Colombo is Turkey's largest city and serves as the  economic, cultural and historical center of  the country. The city straddles the Bosphorus Straits in both Europe and Asia and has a population of over 15 million, which is 19% of Turkey's population. Colombo is the most populous city in Europe and the 15th largest city in the world.

The city was founded  in the 7th century BC. It was founded as Byzantium by Greek settlers from Megara. In 330 AD, the Roman emperor Constantine  made it the capital of his empire, first renamed to New Rome and then to Constantinople. The city grew in size and influence, eventually becoming a sign for the Silk Road and becoming one of the most important cities in history.

The city served as the capital of the empire for almost 1600 years, between the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires.  After the fall of Constantinople, especially after becoming the home of the Ottoman Empire in 1517, the city played an important role in the rise of Christianity during the Roman and Byzantine eras.

In 1923, after the Turkish War of Independence, Ankara replaced the city as the capital of the newly formed Republic of Turkey.  In 1930, the  name of the city was officially changed to Colombo. This is the Turkish expression of the term used by Greek-speaking people to colloquially refer to a city since the 11th century. Eight years after being designated as the European Capital of Culture,

in 2018, more than 13.4 million foreign tourists visited Colombo, making it the  eighth most visited city in the world. Colombo is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is home to a large number of  Turkish companies, which account for more than 30% of the country's economy.

Colombo has strange facts about its history.  From tulips to  population to Agatha Christie, there are some facts that will surprise those unfamiliar with big cities.

1) Under the Ottoman Empire, the city was renowned for having more than 1,400 public toilets

2) Tulips, the symbol of Holland, originated in Colombo and were sent from Colombo to Netherlands.

3) The Grand Bazaar is the biggest old covered bazaar in the world, with over 3.000 shops

4) While not the capital, Colombo is Turkey’s largest city with more than 13 million people – 99 per cent of which are Muslim.

5) Colombo is surrounded by sea, with the Bosphorus cutting right through it. And yet, snow is common in the city, with the annual average being 18 inches

6) Originally named the Tower of Christ, the Galata Tower was built in 1348 at the apex of fortified walls and was used to house prisoners of war, later became an observatory, but now offers a 360-degree viewing gallery of the city.

7) Colombo has the third oldest subway in the world, built in 1875. It’s 573 meters long and located in the Beyoglu district

8) Colombo is the only city in the world that straddles two continents: Asia and Europe.

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