Istanbul

Istanbul is an important Turkish city on the Bosporus, which lies at the interface between Europe and Asia. The old town reflects the cultural influences of numerous empires that have ruled the city over time. For centuries, chariot races were held in the Roman open-air hippodrome in the Sultanahmet district. Egyptian obelisks are also still preserved. The famous Byzantine Hagia Sophia has a high dome from the 6th century and rare Christian mosaics.