A
famous myth explains very precisely the unmatched location of
Istanbul :
Commander Byzas, who gave his name to the empire to be later
called as Byzantine, sets off to sail to build a new colony
from where Greece is located today. During the long voyage and
his searches, he goes to an oracle for advice. The oracle makes
this prediction: “You are going to build your city right
opposite of the land of the blinds!” Continuing his voyage,
Byzas reaches to the banks of Sarayburnu, the Istanbul of today.
When he sees this protected peninsula, he thinks that it is
just the place that he was looking for; meanwhile he notices
the area of residence on the opposite side (Kadiköy at
present). Byzas decides that the people who, given the excellent
area of residence right before them, do not prefer to reside
there are blind. And since it also coincides with the prediction,
he builds his colony on this land without hesitation…
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