Imperial Road or Divan Yolu Istanbul

The Imperial Road has been one of the most significant in Istanbul’s history since Roman times. Here you will find historic mosques, libraries, famous monuments, and old schools, all of which are among many restaurants and hotels and from where visitors can board trams to Sultanahmet Square, the Covered Bazaar ( also known as Grand Bazaar or Kapalicarsi ) and Cemberlitas .

The road was originally part of the Via Egnatia which ran 1000 kilometres from Sultanahmet Square to the port of Durres in Albania. On completion of the city walls in the 4th century the inner stretch of the road was renamed Via Regia (the Royal Road) but was more commonly known as Mese (Main Road).

The road fell into disuse during Byzantine times and was re-established by the Ottomans as the Divan Yolu where the Council of Ministers would proceed to their meetings at the Divan in Topkapi Palace .

Today the road situated in Fatih, merges into Janissary Street (Yeniçeriler Caddesi) and Army Street ( Ordu Caddesi).