This richly illustrated and thoroughly researched books takes the reader through the history of a fascinating city. As the capital of two great empires, Constantinople occupied a strategic political position between the West and the East for centuries and inspired artists from both cultures tocreate works of the very highest quality. All major culture treasures of the city are described here, from the masterpieces of the early Christian period to the magnificient palaces and mosques of the Ottoman era and the architectural achievements the nineteenth century.