In a small village near Constantinople, there is a factory where the fezzes worn by Turkish soldiers are made. These traditional red hats are an important part of the army’s uniform and are still produced using local labor and materials.
The Streets of Constantinople – The City of the Grand Turk
Many poets, painters, and dreamers have described Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) with great emotion. They often speak of it as a magical city filled with beauty and wonder. While the city does have its own charm and unique character, it is not more beautiful than many other great cities around the world Scutari the City Across the Bosphorus.
In fact, cities like New York, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Naples, Hong Kong, or Stockholm each have their own special beauty. Compared to the dazzling colors of Moscow’s churches or the stunning temples of Kyoto and Beijing, Constantinople may seem less dramatic. It does not have the quiet elegance of Stockholm or the golden glow of Naples at sunset.
However, visitors often bring their imagination with them. They expect to see something extraordinary—and often convince themselves they have. Tourists tend to find what they want to find, even if it’s not really there. The same thing happens in Holland or Spain after reading romantic travel books, or in Venice after studying the detailed writings of John Ruskin.
Perhaps the disappointment lies in the viewer, who may not have the right kind of imagination or emotion to match the stories they’ve read. But if one looks closely and carefully compares what is real to what is imagined, a practical person might say that the legends are often exaggerated.
Where Europe Meets Asia
Constantinople is uniquely placed between two continents—Europe and Asia. They are separated by the Sea of Marmara, which stretches about 110 miles in length and up to 40 miles wide at its broadest point.
At the western end of the Sea of Marmara lies the famous strait known as the Dardanelles, also called the Hellespont in ancient times. This narrow and fast-moving waterway is about as wide as the Hudson River in New York Ephesus Sightseeing Tour.
The Famous Swim of Leander and Lord Byron
The Dardanelles is also the legendary location where Leander swam across to visit his beloved Hero. Many centuries later, the poet Lord Byron famously repeated the swim, turning it into a symbol of romantic bravery. Though it was considered a heroic act in ancient times, today many trained swimmers from athletic clubs could easily complete the same distance—just under a mile.
