This guide-book talks not a word about that, where in Istanbul to spend the night, what to feed and that to buy. And however taking him with itself is necessary. Sergey Ivanov, specialist on history and culture of Byzantium, professor НИУ "Higher school of economy", invites a reader to accomplish a double trip - in space and in time. A book will bring you over on the Istanbul streets to the bits and pieces of Constantinople, still keeping memory about his grandeur, to beauty and variety. In spite of indifference of Turkish authorities to these unique monuments, they until now are able to tell a great deal to the attentive observer - histories are dramatic and sad, funny and touching, complete adventures. The pages of guide-book will revive City before eyes, as if he nowhere disappeared: will conduct on palaces, monasteries, hospitals and schools, will acquaint with emperors and patriarchs, war-lords and eunuches, it will be led away merchants and artisans, saints and strange women, in the whirlpool of stormy and saturated life once boiling in the capital of great empire.