{"id":13963,"date":"2015-05-28T14:27:31","date_gmt":"2015-05-28T14:27:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.flavorsandsenses.com\/en\/?p=1130"},"modified":"2019-03-21T10:24:29","modified_gmt":"2019-03-21T10:24:29","slug":"istanbul-old-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flavorsandsenses.com\/en\/istanbul-old-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Istanbul (Old city)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blue Mosque<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I always had an immense curiosity about Istanbul, mainly because as capital of the Eastern Empire, or Byzantine Empire, it was one of the most important cities in the world, alongside Rome. As you already know I\u2019m fascinated by History, therefore this kind of city always gets my interest.<\/p>\n

Besides, who doesn\u2019t want to have their feet in Europe with their eyes over Asia? Istanbul is the only city in the world located in two continents!<\/p>\n

Well, Istanbul greatly overcame my expectations; the city is magical, completely frantic, mystical, mysterious and able to seduce us in the most varied aspects.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0Blue Mosque<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It has a population of more than 15 million, the majority being Muslim. But that\u2019s not something to be afraid of, the recent events may lead to fewer people visiting Istanbul, but please don\u2019t miss the opportunity, moreover, I must confess I felt cherished, safe as in any other capital, and I can assure you I feared much more while visiting other regions inhabited by more Orthodox Muslims in Paris or Brussels than this time in Istanbul!<\/p>\n

Istanbul is the biggest city in Turkey, and the fifth in the world, as well as one of the most populated in Europe, but contrary to what many may think, it\u2019s not the capital, at least since 1923, when that title went to Ankara. However, Istanbul keeps the main focus in terms of industry, business and religion.<\/p>\n