Istanbul sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, carrying centuries of rich history. Formerly known as Constantinople and Byzantium, this vibrant metropolis has been shaped by massive empires.
This trivia covers the city’s famous waterways, iconic bazaars, and legendary rulers. You will also see questions about its ancient engineering marvels and local cultural traditions.
Once you finish, why not explore our guides on cities of the world? We also recommend checking out our pages on historic places and sacred architecture.
Which major waterway divides the city of Istanbul into its European and Asian sides?
The Sea of Marmara
The Sea of Marmara
The Dardanelles
The Dardanelles
The Bosphorus Strait
The Bosphorus Strait
The Golden Horn
The Golden Horn
What was the name of the city during the era of the Byzantine Empire?
Ankara
Ankara
Izmir
Izmir
Constantinople
Constantinople
Bursa
Bursa
Originally built as a cathedral in 537 AD, what iconic structure now functions as a mosque?
Ortaköy Mosque
Ortaköy Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque
Süleymaniye Mosque
Süleymaniye Mosque
The Egyptian Bazaar is most famous for trading which type of goods?
Silk textiles
Silk textiles
Gold jewellery
Gold jewellery
Spices
Spices
Carpets
Carpets
Which beverage is the most commonly consumed hot drink in Turkish culture and often served in tulip-shaped glasses?
Ayran
Ayran
Coffee
Coffee
Black tea
Black tea
Salep
Salep
Which empire captured Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine era?
The Seljuk Empire
The Seljuk Empire
The Persian Empire
The Persian Empire
The Roman Empire
The Roman Empire
The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire
Construction of the Grand Bazaar began shortly after 1453; roughly how old is it today?
670 years old
670 years old
370 years old
370 years old
570 years old
570 years old
470 years old
470 years old
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is popularly known by what nickname due to its interior decor?
Green Mosque
Green Mosque
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque
Gold Mosque
Gold Mosque
Red Mosque
Red Mosque
Which historic site served as the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries?
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Çırağan Palace
Çırağan Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace
Which chewy, cube-shaped confection is a classic sweet souvenir brought from Istanbul?
Revani
Revani
Kunefe
Kunefe
Baklava
Baklava
Lokum
Lokum
Which mode of public transport is the most iconic way to commute between the Asian and European sides across the Bosphorus?
Bus
Bus
Ferry
Ferry
Tram
Tram
Metro train
Metro train
Which subterranean structure was built in the 6th century to provide water to the Byzantine capital?
The Valens Aqueduct
The Valens Aqueduct
The Column of Constantine
The Column of Constantine
The Hippodrome
The Hippodrome
The Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern
Which ruler oversaw the ‘Golden Age’ of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century?
Sultan Mehmed II
Sultan Mehmed II
Sultan Murad III
Sultan Murad III
Sultan Selim I
Sultan Selim I
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent
Which medieval stone tower, formerly known as the Tower of Christ, offers panoramic views of the Golden Horn?
Rumelihisarı Fortress
Rumelihisarı Fortress
Anadolu Kavagi
Anadolu Kavagi
Maiden’s Tower
Maiden’s Tower
Galata Tower
Galata Tower
What is the traditional Turkish art of marbling paper on water known as?
Calligraphy
Calligraphy
Kilim weaving
Kilim weaving
Ebru
Ebru
Ceramic glazing
Ceramic glazing
In Turkish culture, what is a ‘Hamam’?
A public park
A public park
A mosque courtyard
A mosque courtyard
A covered shopping arcade
A covered shopping arcade
A public bathhouse
A public bathhouse
Who was the Roman Emperor that moved the capital to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople?
Basil II
Basil II
Constantine the Great
Constantine the Great
Theodosius I
Theodosius I
Justinian I
Justinian I
In which Istanbul neighborhood are most of the major historic Byzantine and Ottoman monuments concentrated?
Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet
Pera
Pera
Üsküdar
Üsküdar
Beşiktaş
Beşiktaş
Who was the chief Ottoman architect responsible for the design of the Süleymaniye Mosque?
Anthemius of Tralles
Anthemius of Tralles
Sedefkar Mehmed Agha
Sedefkar Mehmed Agha
Mimar Sinan
Mimar Sinan
Balyan Family
Balyan Family
Which city became the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire in 1326?
Bursa
Bursa
Konya
Konya
Ankara
Ankara
Edirne
Edirne
What mysterious sculptural objects are found submerged at the bases of two columns in the Basilica Cistern?
Medusa heads
Medusa heads
Ancient coins
Ancient coins
Broken pottery
Broken pottery
Bronze dolphins
Bronze dolphins
In what year was the city officially renamed from Constantinople to Istanbul by the Turkish government?
1940
1940
1930
1930
1935
1935
1923
1923
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