Crossroads in Istanbul [Constantinople. Carrefour a Stamboul ]
During its reign as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, Constantinople was a prominent seat of world culture. Beautiful churches and monasteries were built all over the city. The 6th century Church of Holy Wisdom, better known as Hagia Sophia, drew pilgrims from all over the world. A lively street and cafe life, full of inhabitants from Ottoman lands in the Balkans, Central Asia and the Middle East developed. The Ottoman Topkapi Museum in Istanbul is a reservoir of unparalleled art objects from this period.