It is known that there is little information and historical facts about the general history of Rome, which prevents us from understanding what place they occupy in the historical process. Considering the important position of Roma among ethnic groups in Turkey, it is necessary to explore their history not only in Anatolia, but also in Istanbul. 

The exact date of the Roma's arrival in Istanbul is unknown, but it is believed that they have been in the city since the Byzantine period. It is thought that not only the Turks but also the Roma migrated from Anatolia to Rumelia following the Turks' victory over the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. According to Evliya Çelebi, after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror ordered the Roma to settle in the Balat neighborhood. They are believed to have been Muslims and engaged in music and entertainment. In the 1477 census, 31 Roma families were recorded in Istanbul. 

According to İsmail Altınöz's notes, the Roma also settled in Kasımpaşa, initially in the Çürüklük area, and later in Ayvansaray, Sulukule, Sultan neighborhoods, and the Selamsız neighborhood in Üsküdar. It is known that the Roma in Kasımpaşa became skilled blacksmiths and stayed there, engaging in shipbuilding activities. During the construction of the Süleymaniye Mosque, the necessary materials were prepared by a master known as "Çingene Dervish."

In the Ottoman Empire, it was difficult to accurately record the number of Roma due to their nomadic lifestyle. Another reason was that during censuses, the Roma were often listed among the non-Muslim population. Evliya Çalabi mentioned that Roma lived in other areas as well. But his thoughts did not seem clear. He mentioned that in the Topkapi area, there were Muslim, Jewish, Armenian, and Greek houses, but no Roma or Frank inhabitants. However, it was known that Roma lived in Topkhana at that time. Eremya Çelebi Kömürjiyan also talked about the Armenians who lived in Kumkapi and Topkapi in the middle of the 17th century and were called "Posha".

Starting from the middle of the 18th century, Roma left the territory of Edirnekapı intended for them and began to settle in the inner districts of Istanbul, and based on the dissatisfaction of the population, they were sent back to their territories. When Ghugas Inciciyan talked about 18th century Istanbul, he also gave information about Roma. Here he said that a part of Roma was Armenian, that men made sieves for the house, and women went around the city and sold them. Some of these Roma converted to Islam during the reign of Sultan Ahmed III and Sadrazam İbrahim Pasha.

Reşat Ekrem Koçi noted that the Roma living in Istanbul adhered to three religions: pagan (non-religious), Muslim Coptics, and Nazareth Copticss. Christian Coptics had been followers of this religion since the Byzantine period and had adopted Greek names such as Lambo, Dimitri, and Kosti. Additionally, Reşat Ekrem Koçi categorized the Roma based on their professions. Non-nomadic Roma were involved in activities such as playing musical instruments, singing, dancing, portering, shoe polishing, and working as bath attendants (tellak, dellak, and natır). Nomadic Roma engaged in blacksmithing, harvesting, bear training, horse acrobatics, fortune-telling, itinerant gardening, and selling lavender, hibiscus, and dandelions.

The Roma held an important place in Istanbul's entertainment culture. In his "Seyahatname," Evliya Çelebi mentioned Roma living in 70 residences in Balat, where they played tambourines, trained bears to dance, and collected money from people. 

Although not as much as in Europe, music played an important role in Roma life in Istanbul. In connection with the arrival of spring, Roma celebrates a holiday called Kakava or Saucepan by setting up a tent in the valley between the Böyükdere and Çörekçi streams. Of course, this holiday included dance, music and feast. According to the information provided by Tayyib Gökbilgin, this holiday was celebrated on May 6 (April 23 according to the Julian calendar) in almost many areas of Rumeli. 

In neighborhoods such as Lonca, Sulukule and Selamsız, not only men, but also Roma women excelled in the field of music. Roma musicians such as Gülistan, Safinaz, and Andelip were especially notable during Hıdırellez celebrations. Considering that it was mainly during the republic that women became famous for their artistic personalities, it is admirable that Roma produced successful female artists even during this period.

It is also important to address the influence of the Roma not only on Istanbul's culture but also on its literature. Examples include Ahmed Midhat Efendi's "Çingene" (1886), which tells the story of a Roma girl living in Kağıthane, and Osman Cemal Kaygılı's "Çingeneler" (1939), which depicts famous Roma musicians living in various parts of Istanbul.

Sulukule, Selamsız and Ziba settlements are the most populated areas of Roma in Istanbul, and the first neighborhood where they settled permanently is considered to be Hacı Husrev. Ayvvansaray-Lonca, an important place of entertainment, was considered to be the most Roma-populated area in Istanbul. 

The Roma living in the Sukulele area were mainly engaged in entertainment and led a poor lifestyle compared to the generally better living conditions of the Roma of Lonca. Although the Roma living in Istanbul are mostly Christian, the Roma living in Sulukule and Ayvansaray-Lonja are areas where Muslims live.

Although the Roma in this area spoke in Istanbul jargon, this language contained elements from both the Roma and Greek languages. Additionally, Çelebi mentioned the use of argot words among the Roma themselves.

In the early 20th century, it is noted that both Muslim and non-Muslim Roma lived in the Topkapı Bayındır Ağa area of Istanbul. In 1908, around 84 Roma from the Balkans settled in the Okmeydanı area of Istanbul. Additionally, despite having permission documents (mürur tezkeresi), many Roma were not allowed to enter Istanbul.

During the Republic period of Turkey, the inhabitants of the densely populated areas of Roma often had to change places, sometimes they were forcibly relocated. Sulukule neighborhood continued to be one of the most populated areas of Roma. However, the inhabitants living in this area today claim that they came here 250-300 years ago, which calls into question the possibility that they are related to Roma. During this period, Sulukule experienced difficult times. A part of the neighborhood was demolished, and the Roma population was exiled to the outskirts of the city. The people who later moved into the area settled in the remnants of the old houses. However, in 1982, Sulukule was again demolished, and the old area near Millet Street was completely removed. The modern Sulukule area is now located within the Sultan neighborhood. In 2010, Sulukule was changed again within the framework of the Istanbul European Capital of Culture project, and its population was moved to Tasholuk, 40 km away.

Hacı Husrev, the old Roma quarter, has also undergone population change. Muslim Roma, which was transferred from Greece by the Treaty of Lausanne, was also settled in this neighborhood. The occupation of this Roman was mainly tobacco farming. Also, Roma, whose houses were demolished in Bursa, was moved to Hacı Husrev quarter. This group is still believed to reside there.

The Roma neighborhood in Küçükbakkalköy, which existed during the time of the empire, still preserves its presence today. Additionally, some Roma relocated from Thessaloniki initially settled in Şile and later in Küçükbakkalköy. The Abdal Roma, who were the oldest residents of this neighborhood, moved to Alemdağ and Dudullu areas in the early 2000s due to the demolition of their homes.
As can be seen, the lives of the Roma who have lived in Istanbul for many years have not always been easy.