Constantinople was its previous name.

Twice the capital of the world: once under the Byzantines, then with the Turks after Mehmet took the city in 1453 and made it Ottoman.

Istanbul is one of those cities that actually makes you think rom-com dramas could happen in real life. Narrow streets thick with the smell of fresh-ground coffee and the hum of the espresso machines. Kebab sellers shouting "abi" to fight for clients. A flock of tourists flooding from every corner. And of course the locals, the cats, who somehow run the place under their control.

@husan_thinking