What is simit, sold by street vendors all over Istanbul?

A ring of bread covered in sesame seeds

Istanbul Quiz: Bosphorus, Bazaars and Hagia Sophia in Türkiye

This Istanbul quiz explores Türkiye's largest city, which spans Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, from Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace to the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower, the Basilica Cistern, ferries, simit and the city's former names, Byzantium and Constantinople. Ten questions.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Names
Before it was called Istanbul, the city was famously known by which name for about 1,600 years?
Conquest
Which Ottoman sultan conquered Constantinople in 1453?
Mosques
Which 17th-century mosque, with six minarets, is nicknamed the Blue Mosque because of its blue tiles?
Palaces
Which palace was the main residence of Ottoman sultans for about 400 years?
Markets
The Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, has roughly how many shops?
Underground
Which ancient underground water reservoir, built in the 6th century, has two columns resting on Medusa heads?
Towers
Which medieval stone tower in the Beyoğlu district offers panoramic views over the Golden Horn?
Food
What is simit, sold by street vendors all over Istanbul?
Bridges
The 15 July Martyrs Bridge, opened in 1973, was the first bridge to link which two continents in Istanbul?
Waterways
Which narrow inlet divides the European side of Istanbul into its historic peninsula and Beyoğlu?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Before it was called Istanbul, the city was famously known by which name for about 1,600 years?
Answer: Constantinople
Emperor Constantine made it the capital of the Roman Empire in 330. Even earlier, the Greek colony there was called Byzantium.
Q2: Which Ottoman sultan conquered Constantinople in 1453?
Answer: Mehmed II
Mehmed II was only 21 years old. He became known as Fatih, the Conqueror, and moved the Ottoman capital to the city.
Q3: Which 17th-century mosque, with six minarets, is nicknamed the Blue Mosque because of its blue tiles?
Answer: Sultan Ahmed Mosque
More than 20,000 handmade İznik tiles decorate its interior. It faces Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square.
Q4: Which palace was the main residence of Ottoman sultans for about 400 years?
Answer: Topkapı Palace
Topkapı overlooks the meeting of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Its treasury holds the famous Topkapı Dagger.
Q5: The Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, has roughly how many shops?
Answer: About 4,000
Construction began in the 1450s. Its streets are lined with carpets, lamps, jewelry, ceramics and leather goods.
Q6: Which ancient underground water reservoir, built in the 6th century, has two columns resting on Medusa heads?
Answer: The Basilica Cistern
The cistern held water for the Great Palace. Its forest of 336 columns appears in films such as From Russia with Love and Inferno.
Q7: Which medieval stone tower in the Beyoğlu district offers panoramic views over the Golden Horn?
Answer: Galata Tower
Galata Tower was built by the Genoese in 1348. Legend says Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi flew from it across the Bosphorus with artificial wings.
Q8: What is simit, sold by street vendors all over Istanbul?
Answer: A ring of bread covered in sesame seeds
Simit is a classic breakfast on the go, often eaten with tea. Balık ekmek, a fish sandwich, is sold near the Galata Bridge.
Q9: The 15 July Martyrs Bridge, opened in 1973, was the first bridge to link which two continents in Istanbul?
Answer: Europe and Asia
Three suspension bridges and two undersea tunnels now cross the Bosphorus, along with dozens of ferry routes.
Q10: Which narrow inlet divides the European side of Istanbul into its historic peninsula and Beyoğlu?
Answer: The Golden Horn
The Golden Horn has been a natural harbor for thousands of years. The Galata Bridge crosses it near Eminönü.

Istanbul Quiz – A City on Two Continents

Istanbul is Türkiye's largest city and one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It sits on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, so part of the city lies in Europe and part in Asia. With more than 15 million people, it is a busy, modern metropolis that still carries the traces of empires that ruled from here for more than 1,500 years.

The city began as the Greek colony of Byzantium. In 330, the Roman emperor Constantine made it his capital, and as Constantinople it became the center of the Byzantine Empire for more than a thousand years. In 1453, the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II conquered the city, and it became the capital of the Ottoman Empire until the founding of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923.

This long history left an extraordinary skyline. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque and Topkapı Palace crown the historic peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beneath the streets lies the Basilica Cistern, and across the Golden Horn rises the medieval Galata Tower. Along the Bosphorus, Ottoman palaces and wooden waterfront mansions called yalı line the shores.

Daily life in Istanbul is full of energy. Ferries crisscross the Bosphorus, and markets such as the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar are packed with shoppers. Street vendors sell simit, roasted chestnuts and corn, while restaurants serve kebabs, meze and fresh fish. Turkish tea is enjoyed everywhere, and an evening by the water watching the sun set over minarets is one of the city's great pleasures.

This quiz covers the history, landmarks, neighborhoods and food of Istanbul.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for travelers, history fans and anyone planning a visit to Türkiye.

Istanbul's former names and history
Who conquered Constantinople in 1453
Famous mosques, palaces and towers
The Grand Bazaar and the Basilica Cistern
How the city connects Europe and Asia
Istanbul street food

Quick Facts About Istanbul

Istanbul is the only major city in the world that spans two continents.
Its historic areas are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Thousands of street cats live in the city and are cared for by residents.
Istanbul hosted the UEFA Champions League final in 2005 and 2023.
The Maiden's Tower stands on a tiny island in the Bosphorus.
Istanbul Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe.