Istanbul

Bettany Hughes Treasures of the World episode 5: The historian visits a dig in Istanbul containing artefacts from multiple eras, and follows in the footsteps of one of her heroes, Byzantine empress Theodora. She visits the restoration of the 6th-century Basilica Cistern, a marble-columned water reservoir under the city’s streets, Topkapi Palace, and Europe’s largest wooden building, Prinkipo Orphanage, which was once home to more than 1000 children.         Few cities capture the imagination of history-lovers like Istanbul, so it’s no surprise that Bettany Hughes has headed here to conclude her treasure-hunting tour. And once again, she’s