Why did Istanbul become a major centre of Turkish literary activity?

Istanbul became a major centre of Turkish literary activity primarily because it served as the central urban metropolis of the Ottoman Empire from the mid-15th century onward.1

As the imperial capital, the city functioned as a unique cultural hub for the Middle East, fostering an environment where literary production flourished. During the Ottoman period, the city's prominence was such that it was famously remarked that one could find a poet under every stone of Istanbul’s pavement. This concentration of intellectual and artistic life established Istanbul as the focal point for Turkish-speaking peoples, a status that persisted through the transition from the Ottoman era to the modern Turkish republic. Even in the 20th century, the city's distinct charm continued to influence and inspire major literary figures, such as Orhan Veli Kanık, who integrated "Istanbulian" aesthetics into his work.213