From Constantinople to Istanbul: A Byzantine and Ottoman Metropolis

Constantinople. Byzantium. Istanbul. This city has been called by many names throughout the centuries. No matter its name, in its 1,700 years of history it has stood at the center of vast cosmopolitan empires. This course explores the city itself through that history and through its present vibrant culture. Sitting at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, Christianity and Islam, past and present, the "new" city of Constantine is a place of connections in time and space. Built as a second Rome, the city grew to become the largest in Medieval Europe and the terminus of the Silk Road. After 1453, it was the beating heart of the Ottoman Empire and the largest city in the Islamic world. Throughout all the turbulent changes in its history, there was always a core, continuous link between the cities’ inhabitants and its past: those who walked its streets from the moment of its founding to the mid nineteenth century were known by one name: Romans.

In this course, students encounter this connective history through the historical sources and sites of one city, spanning over 1,000 years of empires, religions, and ideologies.

Over spring break, the class travels to modern-day Istanbul, visiting many of the sites studied in the course—such as the Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, the medieval Walls of Constantinople, the Blue Mosque, the Ottoman imperial palace, and a boat cruise on the Bosphorus—while also exploring the nearby places of Iznik (Nicea), Bursa, and Mount Uludağ National Park. The trip coincides with the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, offering students a unique cultural and culinary experience in this vibrant global city.

Course Abroad Details

Take the First Step

Register for the course and apply to study abroad!

Apply to Study AbroadPassport Information

Back to Courses