And when your capital city has a unique geography that makes it both difficult to attack and guaranteed to be a center of commerce. I love all the giant old st

And when your capital city has a unique geography that makes it both difficult to attack and guaranteed to be a center of commerce. I love all the giant old stone walls in Istanbul, the place is filthy with them. The people are totally used to it too - it's trippy to see schools and homes built around centuries-old ramparts.