The old name of İstanbul, immediately prior to its renaming, was Constantinople.
On March 28, many years ago, Constantinople was officially renamed İstanbul. This historical event is a significant moment in the city's long history of name changes.
A City with Multiple Names
İstanbul has held several important names throughout its existence, reflecting its strategic location and prominence through different empires and eras.
From Byzantium to Constantinople
As highlighted in historical records, including information referencing the renaming event:
- The city was originally known as Byzantium when it was an ancient Greek colony.
- Later, when the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great made it the new capital of the Roman Empire, he renamed it Constantinople in his own honour. This renaming occurred in the 4th century CE.
The Transition to İstanbul
Centuries later, after the Ottoman conquest, the name İstanbul gradually became common usage, eventually becoming the official name. The specific date of March 28 marks the formal adoption of İstanbul as the city's official name, replacing Constantinople.
So, while Byzantium is an older name, Constantinople is the name that directly precedes İstanbul in modern history, as confirmed by the historical event of Constantinople being renamed İstanbul.
