How did Istanbul, one of the world’s most fascinating and storied cities, come about?  This series of 5 lectures, presented by Sevan Melikyan, surveys the history, lore, people, art, and architecture that define a rich and complex metropolis that has been populated for over 2500 years.  
Zoom lectures on Wednesdays at 2:00 PM, in August and September.

$15 per lecture or $60 for the series (save $15). Register today!

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Lectures 1 and 2 focus on the origins and development of Byzantion, the ancient Greek colony that was the first iteration of Istanbul, before becoming the capital of the whole Roman Empire as New Rome and ultimately, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire as Constantinople. Marvelous vestiges from these successive eras include the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, the Theodosian Walls, Hagia Irene, the Galata Tower, and of course the majestic jewel of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia.

It took 1000 years and numerous sieges before Constantinople’s mighty walls were finally breached in 1453 by the forces of the fast-expanding Ottoman Empire. Over the ensuing 600 years, Constantinople becomes a destination for its myriad cultural achievements including the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, the Suleymaniye Mosque, and the breathtaking Blue Mosque.  Lectures 3 and 4 provides entry to many of the iconic sights that still draw world travelers and reveal the stories that lie behind their walls.

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The fifth and final lecture is recounted through the personal experiences of the lecturer Sevan Melikyan whose Armenian family settled in Istanbul after his grandparents survived the tragic events of 1915. They witnessed the remarkable transformation of Turkish society that emerged from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire under Atatürk's leadership. The lecture will take us to the Pera Palace Hotel, where Atatürk's room and many artifacts associated with him are on display. We'll then enjoy lunch at Pandeli, a historic restaurant that survived the devastating pogroms of September 6-7, 1955, which targeted Greek communities. The lecture continues with a virtual cruise along the Bosphorus, showcasing iconic landmarks, and concludes with a visit to Büyükada in the Marmara Sea—a magical island where Sevan, with his parents and two sisters, created some of his fondest childhood memories and experienced Istanbul's timeless beauty.