«Ankara or Istanbul the capital of Turkey?" - Wonder many foreign tourists.And very surprised when they hear that the main town is located somewhere in the north-west of the country.What makes people think that is the capital of Istanbul?Probably sensational series "Magnificent Century", an epic in which narrated about the vicissitudes of a family Ottoman Sultan Suleiman Qanooni (fair).Yes, the city on the Golden Horn was the capital.And by the way, not only in times of the sultans.But Ankara?Is it a "new building" as, say, the Kazakh capital Astana?On the vicissitudes of fate of the two cities, read this article.
Base Istanbul
Honor tab of the "first stone" in the city owned by Greek colonists.In 658 BC.e.they came from Megara and founded a settlement on a small island, which lies between the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn.Hometown They are named after their leader Byzantium.The favorable geographical position, which made it possible to monitor the passage of vessels of the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea and back, helped to enrich the people, the development of crafts and trade.The city of Byzantium - the future capital of Turkey Istanbul - quickly became one of the main Greek city.74 BC.e.Asia Minor conquered Rome.City, whose territory has long been extended far beyond the original island, continued to flourish.But the invasion of the barbarians, which became the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire, has shaken the well-being of residents and Byzantium.By the third century AD, the city went into decline.
Antique Ankara
If you ask what city ancient - Byzantium or Angira (such is the former name of the capital of Turkey), we have to admit that both the modern metropolis emerged about the same time, in the VII century BC,but Ankara has something to outdo Istanbul.Not far from it is a unique city Neolithic Çatalhöyük.Even in present-day Ankara in the XI century (long before the arrival of the Greek colonists) there was a fortress, formerly one of the links in the defensive chain of Hittite civilization.Interestingly, the Greek word for "Angira" translates as "anchor".Why the ship symbol in the city, remote from the sea?Angira lying at the crossroads of many roads connecting Asia Minor to Europe and Africa.Due to the favorable position of the city was the target of constant attacks.It owned the Persians, Phrygians, the Celts.A special impetus to the economic development has given the Roman conquest.Emperor Augustus built here his summer residence.In Angira as in ancient Byzantium, there were such creature comforts as sewerage, water supply, street lighting, the order followed the police and fire service.
Times decline
eastern part of the vast Roman Empire less affected by the invasion of the barbarians, than the Western.Therefore, a native of Trier (modern Germany) decided to Constantine the Great in 324 to move the capital of their state in Byzantium.In order to come to some decline of the city corresponded to the standards of the capital, the emperor started a large-scale construction.He introduced tax breaks for prospective immigrants - artisans and merchants.For six years, the area of the city has increased several times.Of course, he was smaller than modern Ankara or Istanbul.The capital of Turkey at that time was a small town.But Byzantium, which Constantine renamed New Rome, flourished.The Emperor was anxious that its capital eclipsed by its luxury the Eternal City.In addition to the benefits to entrepreneurs, he distributed from the treasury of bread, olive oil and fuel need.From Athens, Ephesus, Corinth, Rome and New Rome were invited sculptors and painters, architects and clerics.
Byzantine times
name did not stick, and after the emperor's death the city was renamed Constantinople.It was a real metropolis of the early Middle Ages.These were brought to the main power of the saints, built magnificent temples, baths, cisterns, the Hippodrome.City, placed under the patronage of Mary, had several commercial and military ports.After the final collapse of the Roman Empire, Constantinople became the capital of the new state - Byzantium.This powerful country, headed by basileis extends much further than the current Turkey.Capital (map of the Byzantine Empire, it demonstrates) was then almost in the center of the country.Still further extended spiritual influence of Byzantium.Religion Slavic peoples came to us from there.And Alphabet - Cyrillic.But Constantinople (as the Slavs called Constantinople) was the target of military campaigns.To capture their kings dreamed of the West, the Crusaders, Slavs, Huns, Persians, Avars, Arabs and Pechenegs.
Ankara during Byzantine times
luxury and splendor of a great empire even indirectly, affected the eastern neighbor of Constantinople - a modest Angira.After the city passed an important path to the East, to Asia.For the control of the "Silk Road" fought the Arabs and Crusaders.With the weakening of the Byzantine Empire, Ankara - the capital of Turkey in the future - it became the property of the Seljuks.This happened after Malazgitskoy battle in 1073.If the city does not Seljuks fell into disrepair.But here on the historical scene appeared Ottomans.At the beginning of the XV century their troops under the command of Sultan Bayezid I fought in the Battle of Ankara with the army of Timur.The city and its surroundings appeared badly damaged.However, the troops of the Sultan in the battle were defeated, and he himself was captured.
Magnificent Century
561 years ago on May 29, 1453 Constantinople was taken by the army Mehmed II Fatih (the Conqueror).Constantine XI Palaeologus, the last Basileus, was killed in battle.Thus ended the more than 1,100-year history of the Byzantine Empire.Constantinople was renamed Istanbul."Sublime Porte" (as contemporaries called the Ottoman Empire of the Turks), took possession of this economic potential, it has become one of the prominent players on the world political arena.Before Mehmed Fatih was not a question - Ankara or Istanbul.The capital of the Ottoman Turkey should conquer the imagination of foreign ambassadors luxury and unprecedented scale.It is built grandiose mosques and, of course, the Sultan's Topkapi Palace.
Ankara during the Ottoman Empire
current capital of Turkey before the fall of Constantinople to the Seljuks moved first, and then to the Ottomans.This city on the Anatolian plateau has long been accustomed to life frontier outpost.From VI to IX century (even during the Byzantine Basileus) in the town citadel was built with a double ring of defensive walls.The capital of Turkey, Istanbul has been associated with Ankara's trade route.Consequently, the provincial city still was not a backwater.Where mosques are being built - some directly on the basis of the Christian churches, which, in turn, was erected on the site of pagan temples.The oldest Islamic building in Ankara is considered Hadzhibayram Mosque, built in the XV century on the ruins of the Temple of Augustine and Roma.This religious building still performs its functions.Inside is the tomb of Haji Bayram, saint and founder of the monastic order, who died in 1430.
Ankara - the capital of Turkey
in 18-19 th centuries, the Ottoman Empire, weakened by constant wars, went into decline.Even in World War I, Turkey has decided to support Germany - and the result is divided with it the bitterness of defeat.Therefore, in 1918, Istanbul was occupied by the army of France, the UK and Greece.But soon after the struggle for independence, the world has recognized the sovereignty of Turkey.In 1923, the leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk proclaimed the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Republic.He wanted to distance itself as much as possible from the "sultan" of Istanbul, especially since there were many supporters of the old regime.In addition, Atatürk wanted to move the capital away from the 'line of military action. "Ankara has been chosen by chance.This town was relatively close to Istanbul, also has been linked to him the railway line.But the new capital of Turkey (photos of those years is eloquent testimony) is a complete backwater.The city had no running water, lighting, sanitation.Ambassadors sarcastically mentioned that the donkeys tied to a trellis window Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country.
Capital Turkey is Ataturk
a lot invested in the construction and development of the city.Now it is a multi-million metropolis.The main attraction is the Ankara mausoleum of national leader Ataturk.Next to the newest buildings here adjoin the narrow medieval streets and ancient mosques.But many embassies and government buildings dispel any doubt about which is the city - Ankara or Istanbul - the capital of Turkey.
