it just seems like such a place of rich cultural history

Man, history and so very rich!

You should definitely plan a visit. I think it has so much to offer in terms of history. It’s such an old place, and you can see remnants of the Roman Empire scattered throughout the city... This place is truly something else!

P.S: The Byzantine Empire, which succeeded the Roman Empire, also had its capital in Constantinople (Istanbul).

So yeah :))