When Alice Roberts boards a train, history comes alive. In Ottoman Empire by Train, the acclaimed historian, anthropologist, and broadcaster takes viewers on a compelling journey through the landscapes once ruled by one of the most powerful empires in history—the Ottoman Empire. Spanning centuries and continents, this five-part series is more than just a travel documentary; it’s a deep exploration of the forces that shaped the modern Middle East, the Balkans, and parts of Europe. Through the rhythmic motion of train travel, Roberts connects the past and present, revealing how the echoes of the Ottoman world still reverberate in the cultures, architecture, and people of today.
A New Way to Tell History
The concept behind Ottoman Empire by Train is both elegant and innovative. By using train routes as a narrative thread, Alice Roberts transforms what could have been a straightforward historical documentary into an experiential journey. The train becomes both a literal and metaphorical vehicle—one that carries the viewer through space and time.
This format allows the audience to appreciate geography as a key player in history. The Ottoman Empire, which rose from the frontiers of Anatolia in the late 13th century, grew to dominate a vast area stretching from the Arabian deserts to the gates of Vienna. Tracing that reach by train emphasizes the empire’s remarkable span and diversity. The rails run through modern-day Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary—territories that once fell under the Ottoman banner—and along the way, Roberts reveals the interconnectedness of their histories.
Unlike static museum exhibits or classroom lectures, the series gives viewers the feeling of movement, of transition—just as the empire itself was constantly expanding, evolving, and eventually contracting.
The Journey Begins: The Roots of Empire
Alice Roberts begins her expedition in southern Turkey, close to the empire’s birthplace. Boarding a train in Adana, she travels through the Taurus Mountains to Konya, one of the early centers of Ottoman culture and spiritual life. It’s here that she delves into the world of the Whirling Dervishes, followers of the mystic poet Rumi, whose teachings influenced Ottoman philosophy and art.
This opening leg sets the tone for the series—it’s not merely about dates and conquests but about the people, traditions, and faith that defined the Ottoman identity. Roberts visits mosques, tombs, and bazaars, weaving together historical insight with human stories. She shows how the early Ottomans blended Turkish, Persian, and Islamic influences to create a culture that valued scholarship, architecture, and spirituality alongside political power.
Traveling by train through these landscapes gives a palpable sense of continuity. The same routes that connect Turkish cities today once linked the Ottoman provinces, moving soldiers, merchants, and pilgrims. It’s a striking reminder of how infrastructure—roads, bridges, and later, railways—served as the veins of empire.
The Rise of Power: Istanbul and the Golden Age
From Konya, Roberts continues her journey to the city that was the jewel in the Ottoman crown—Constantinople, later renamed Istanbul. Few cities in the world carry as much historical weight. When Sultan Mehmed II captured Constantinople in 1453, it marked not only the fall of the Byzantine Empire but also the beginning of a new world order.
In Istanbul, Roberts explores how the Ottomans transformed the city into a thriving imperial capital. She visits architectural masterpieces like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, reflecting on how Ottoman architects like Mimar Sinan combined artistic elegance with engineering genius. The skyline of domes and minarets becomes a visual symbol of empire at its zenith—majestic, ordered, and enduring.
Through her narration, Roberts conveys a sense of awe for what the Ottomans achieved. Under rulers such as Suleiman the Magnificent, the empire reached its greatest territorial extent and cultural sophistication. The Sultan’s court in Topkapi Palace became a microcosm of empire—multilingual, multi-ethnic, and teeming with scholars, artisans, and diplomats.
But Roberts also points out that beneath the grandeur was a complex system of governance that required constant balance. The Ottomans ruled over diverse peoples—Greeks, Armenians, Arabs, Kurds, Jews, and Slavs—each with their own faiths and traditions. The empire’s success lay partly in its flexibility, allowing local autonomy under the “millet” system while maintaining central authority from Istanbul.
The European Frontier: The Balkans
Leaving Istanbul, Roberts travels northward into the Balkans, crossing through Bulgaria and Serbia. Here, the train route follows the frontier of Ottoman Europe, where the empire met resistance and rebellion. The contrast with Anatolia is striking. In these lands, the Ottoman presence was both transformative and contested.
In Sofia, Roberts visits Ottoman mosques and public baths that still stand as reminders of centuries of Ottoman rule. Yet she also confronts darker legacies—tales of uprisings, occupations, and brutal reprisals. In the Serbian city of Niš, she visits the infamous Skull Tower, a chilling monument built from the skulls of Serbian rebels executed after a failed revolt. It stands as a haunting testament to the price of empire and the determination of those who resisted it.
This portion of the series captures one of its most powerful themes: the duality of empire. The Ottomans brought infrastructure, administration, and relative stability to many regions, but their rule was also marked by oppression, taxation, and periodic violence. Roberts treats this complexity with sensitivity, neither romanticizing nor vilifying the past. Instead, she invites viewers to see history in shades of grey.
Decline and Transformation
As Roberts continues westward into Romania and Hungary, the story shifts from expansion to decline. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Ottoman Empire was losing ground both politically and technologically. European powers were industrializing, and the railways that now carry Roberts across the continent once symbolized modernity—a modernity that the Ottomans struggled to match.
In Budapest, she reflects on the empire’s final centuries, when reformers tried to modernize its bureaucracy and military in a desperate attempt to keep pace with Europe. But corruption, nationalism, and foreign intervention gradually eroded Ottoman control. The Balkan wars, World War I, and the rise of new nation-states ultimately ended the empire that had lasted for over six hundred years.
One of the most poignant aspects of Roberts’s journey is her ability to connect the empire’s past to the modern nations that emerged from its collapse. In each city, she meets locals who share how Ottoman history still shapes their identity. Some feel pride in the architectural and cultural legacy; others feel resentment over centuries of domination. The empire may have fallen, but its memory lives on in the collective consciousness of millions.
The Power of Travel as Historical Lens
What makes Ottoman Empire by Train so engaging is Alice Roberts herself. Her approach is accessible yet deeply informed. She balances her background in anthropology and archaeology with genuine curiosity about the human stories behind historical events. Her narration feels like a conversation rather than a lecture, and her enthusiasm for discovery is contagious.
The train journey also lends the series a meditative rhythm. Between bustling cities, the camera captures rolling hills, rivers, and mountain ranges that have witnessed centuries of change. These landscapes are not just scenic—they’re historical actors. They shaped trade routes, determined battlefields, and influenced the empire’s expansion.
Roberts often pauses to reflect on how geography and technology intertwine with history. Railways, she notes, were a late addition to the Ottoman world but became symbols of modernization and imperial ambition. The famous Hejaz Railway, for instance, was intended to connect Damascus with Medina and Mecca, strengthening both faith and unity within the empire. Today, train lines like the ones Roberts rides echo that same desire to connect people across boundaries.
The Legacy of an Empire
By the end of the journey, the viewer comes away with a profound sense of how deeply the Ottoman Empire shaped the modern world. Its legacy can be seen in architecture, cuisine, language, and law across a vast region. Istanbul remains a bridge between East and West; the Balkans still carry traces of Ottoman towns and mosques; and even in Central Europe, echoes of Ottoman influence linger in culture and memory.
Roberts’s final reflections are both historical and philosophical. Empires, she suggests, rise and fall, but they never truly disappear. Their influence seeps into the societies that replace them, creating complex mosaics of identity. The Ottomans, with their blend of tolerance and control, spirituality and pragmatism, left a legacy that defies simple categorization.
Conclusion
Ottoman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts is far more than a travelogue—it’s a journey through six centuries of human ambition, creativity, and resilience. The train’s rhythmic clatter underscores the passage of time, while Roberts’s thoughtful storytelling bridges past and present.
Through her eyes, we see how an empire built on conquest and commerce became a cradle of culture and learning—and how its eventual fall reshaped the world. The series invites viewers to travel not just across countries, but through ideas: how power is gained, how it’s maintained, and what remains after it’s gone.
For anyone fascinated by history, culture, or the enduring ties between geography and human destiny, this series is a remarkable ride—a chance to experience the Ottoman world not as a static relic, but as a living thread woven through our collective story.
