İstanbul The Golden City (1996)

Overview

Directed by Süha Arın and Hakan Aytekin, the 1996 documentary explores Istanbul’s history through the enduring motif of gold. From Byzantion’s foundation as a trading colony to its role as the capital of three empires, the film traces how power and wealth were transformed into coins, art, architecture, and ritual. Moving from icons and mosaics to the Grand Bazaar and the modern gold exchange, the documentary presents Istanbul as a city where culture, economy, and daily life have been shaped by centuries of continuity and exchange of gold.