Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires

This autumn, the V&A presents Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires, a major exhibition exploring sixteen centuries of art, architecture and design from one of the world's greatest cities. Bringing together remarkable objects from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, the exhibition reveals how Constantinople, later known as Istanbul, became a meeting place of cultures, religions and artistic traditions unlike any other.

This day school offers a rich introduction to the extraordinary history of the city and the artistic achievements that made it one of the world's great cultural capitals. Led by Dr Sarah James and Dr Michael Paraskos, the course explores Constantinople from its foundation as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire to its transformation into the Ottoman capital of Istanbul, examining how successive civilisations reshaped the city's appearance while also preserving elements of its remarkable past.

Through richly illustrated lectures, we will explore the architecture, mosaics, manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and luxury objects that defined the city across more than a millennium. We will examine masterpieces such as Hagia Sophia, the Great Palace, the Hippodrome and the great imperial churches of Byzantium before considering the magnificent mosques, palaces and decorative arts created under the Ottoman sultans. Along the way we will discover how ideas travelled between Europe, Asia and the Islamic world, making Constantinople one of history's greatest centres of artistic exchange.

The course will also consider the people who lived in the city, from emperors, sultans and patriarchs to merchants, pilgrims, craftsmen and travellers. We will explore the religious and political significance of Constantinople, the dramatic events of the Fourth Crusade and the Ottoman conquest of 1453, and the ways in which these moments transformed both the city itself and the wider Mediterranean world.

Throughout the session the emphasis will be on looking carefully at works of art and architecture while understanding the historical circumstances in which they were created. By the end of the course you will have a deeper appreciation of why Constantinople and Istanbul have remained one of the world's most fascinating cities, and how Byzantine and Ottoman artistic traditions continue to shape our understanding of cultural exchange, empire and identity.

The say school is ideal for anyone planning to visit the V&A exhibition, as well as those with an interest in Byzantine history, the Ottoman Empire, medieval art, architecture or the cultures of the eastern Mediterranean.

No previous knowledge of art or history is required. Everyone is warmly welcome.

For course content enquiries: Contact the Programme Manager, Dr Michael Paraskos, at m.paraskos@imperial.ac.uk

For enrolment and booking enquiries: Contact Christian Jacobi at c.jacobi@imperial.ac.uk

Class recordings

These classes are not recorded.

Imperial certificates

This course has no exams or assessments, so you can focus on enjoying your learning. Regular attendance may also lead to the award of an Imperial attendance certificate. (T&Cs apply).