What is the Golden Horn in Istanbul? History of the Golden Horn Bay in Istanbul

The Golden Horn in the capital of Turkey is one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the whole world. During the time of the Sultan, merchant ships of the Ottomans and Byzantines, and even warships, were located in these places. Today, pedestrian sidewalks and landscaped parks stretch along the banks. This place is visited by many tourists.

The Golden Horn Harbor is a bay of the Bosphorus, which, thanks to natural disasters and currents, has acquired a curved shape and digs deep into the shore. The length of the bay is about 13 km, the width is 120 m, the depth of the Bosphorus is 47 m. In the western part of the bay, two rivers flow into it: Kiathanesu, the so-called ancient Barbizes, and Alibeisu, or ancient Kidaros. These waters wash the shores of the European part of the city of Istanbul. There are 4 bridges across the bay: the Old Galata Bridge, but it no longer fulfills its functions, as well as the Galata Bridge and the Halic Bridge and another Ataturk Bridge.

About 7,000 years ago, the local waters of the Bosphorus Bay and the Alibey and Kagythane rivers, which still flow into the Golden Horn, merged into one and formed a natural, very beautiful harbor, which is shaped like a horn. For many centuries, the Golden Horn has been considered one of the world's most beautiful natural harbors. Its waters were full of fish, and the fertile soil along the shores of the bay produced rich harvests, which attracted the local aborigines, who eventually settled on both sides of the harbor. The Golden Horn Bay was also called the cornucopia, and it is also believed that Byzantium himself named this bay in honor of his mother, whose name was Keroessa, from the Greek Golden Horn sounds - Krysokeras. There is another myth that under the bright rays of the shining sun, the water surface of the bay shimmers with real gold.

Golden Horn Bay in Istanbul

Today the Golden Horn is called Halich-i Dersaadet, which means “Bay of the Gate of Bliss” in Turkish.

In summer, during the peak period of tourism in the Golden Horn, the weather is very changeable. The prevailing wind is south and southeast, with frequent rain and fog. Autumn and winter are also windy, but the wind blows from the north and northwest.

In the Balat and Fener districts, located in the very center of the Golden Horn Bay, there are numerous streets with ancient houses and churches, synagogues built during the era of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Now these are the shores inhabited by modern residents living in beautiful and modern buildings. Almost along the entire length of the bay, its shores are fortified with strong walls, which are equipped with berths and piers. The depth at the entrance to the Golden Horn Bay ranges from 20 to 27 meters, depending on the location.

This is an extraordinary beauty, having been at least once in this place, you can feel the period of the Sultanate and the former antiquity, this warm summer air will transport the soul to nirvana. After such a rest, no depression is scary.

Location

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At school, everyone wants to take part in a quiz show like the one on TV. Therefore, first we conduct a qualifying round, and then those who pass it successfully continue the game.
Questions may be on different academic subjects. Here are examples of those questions from the qualifying round and the main game that relate to geography.

1. Arrange these continents in the order of their discovery, starting with the earliest:

Antarctica
Africa
South America
Australia

2. Arrange these planets in order of distance from the Sun, starting with the first:

Mars
Venus
Earth
Mercury

3. Arrange these plants in order of increasing height:

Eucalyptus
Lilac
Poppy
Birch

4. Arrange the vertices by height, starting with the smallest:

Chomolungma
Kosciuszko
Belukha
Aconcagua

Main game

1. Name the third planet of the solar system. (Earth)
2. Name points on Earth, to determine the position of which it is enough to indicate only their latitude. (North and South Poles)
3. Where is it warmer during the day in summer weather - in the forest or in the field? (in field)
4. Name a point on Earth, to determine the position of which it is enough to know only longitude. (there is no such thing)
5. Is it possible to ever see the sun in the north somewhere in Russia? (beyond the Arctic Circle at noon in summer)
6. What is the modern name of Burma? (Myanmar)
7. What is the name of the set of measures to increase land fertility or general improvement of the area? (reclamation)
8. What is the name of the water shell of the Earth? (hydrosphere)
9. When was the Strait of Magellan discovered? (first trip around the world, 1519-1521)
10. What is the destruction of soil horizons and parent rocks by surface water called? (soil erosion)
11. What is the name of the device for measuring atmospheric pressure? (barometer)
12. Which US state does the Arctic Circle pass through? (Alaska)
13. Which continent do all meridians cross? (Antarctica)
14. The spread of what type of transport led to the introduction of standard time? (railway)
15. What is the top fertile layer of the earth called? (the soil)
16. Many bays, straits and islands have made the coast of this country the longest in the world. (Canada)
17. Is it true that the entire landmass of the Earth could be located in an area equal to the area of ​​the Pacific Ocean? (Yes)
18. You are flying from Rome to Belgrade. What sea can you see from the porthole? (Adriatic)
19. What is the name in South America for what is called steppe in Russia and prairie in North America? (pump)
20. Which city is called the “city of the Golden Horn” and in which state is it located? (Istanbul, Türkiye)
21. Which city is called “granite” and in which country is it located? (Aberdeen, Scotland)
22. Which city is called the “lily city” and in which country is it located?

Istanbul Map

(Paris, France)
23. In what place do southern winds always blow? (at the North Pole)
24. Where is it colder - at the North or South Pole? (on Yuzhny)
25. Which sea has no shores? (Sargasso)
26. What is the name of the air shell of the Earth? (atmosphere)
27. Name the largest river that does not flow into the World Ocean. (Volga)
28. Which states are located in two parts of the world? (RF, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia)
29. Name four seas that have colored names. (Black, White, Red, Yellow)
30. Name the largest and deepest sea off the coast of Russia. (Beringovo)
31. Name the shallowest sea on Earth. (Azovskoe)
32. Name the coldest and most icy sea off the coast of Russia. (East Siberian)
33. Name the largest peninsula in Russia. (Taimyr)
34. Name the largest island in Russia. (Sakhalin)
35. Name the longest mountain system in Russia. (Ural)
36. Name the highest peak in Russia. (Elbrus)
37. Name the deepest lake in the world. (Baikal)
38. Name the longest river that flows only through the territory of Russia. (Lena)

Dear visitor to my blog or visitor!

Istanbul needs no introduction to such an extent that even talking about it feels extremely awkward.

When starting a conversation about its most famous places, skepticism among readers is inevitable: “Well, there, this one goes there too!”

And it would seem illogical to start a journey through Istanbul from its hidden corners when the main landmarks - landmarks - are not placed.

Therefore, I apologize in advance to experienced travelers, since this article is exactly what placement of landmarks . Around which, I hope, we will wander a lot more, looking for places invisible to the gaze of the “jumping” tourist.

The one who ticks off the guidebook so that he can conscientiously bypass everything from it and then remain for the rest of his life in full confidence that he has recognized the “real Turkey”.

My entire blog is a protest against such a superficial approach, when a person looks at you soulfully and says:

Don't teach me how to live! I've been to Turkey five times...

And yet, I am convinced that even the most established list of attractions can add something new, even just a dash. Especially when it comes to such a truly immense topic as Istanbul.

Istanbul is a city of superlatives...

Whatever you say about him will be the true truth...

The City of Contrasts, the Pearl of the Bosphorus, the Wonder of the World, the Capital of Emperors - this is all Istanbul - the most luxurious, the most stunning, the most unique, in a word, the very best city in Turkey!

Exaggeration? Enthusiasm? - Nothing happened...

A multimillion-dollar metropolis spread over two continents - in Europe and Asia on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait and washed by the waters of the Marmara and Black Seas.

Over the entire history of its existence, the city managed to be the capital of four states: the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires, and also changed several names.

Arriving in Istanbul

There are currently two international airports in Istanbul. Ataturk Airport located in the European part of the city. Second airport named after the adopted daughter of a Turkish leader - the first Turkish female pilot, Sabiha Gokcen , is located in the Asian part of the city.

A huge third airport is also being built to help the first two, which are not coping very well, and also on the European part of the city. It is planned to be commissioned in February 2018.

It is important that from each terminal there are options for economical transfers, which are noticeably cheaper than “regular” taxis. So, don't rush to wave your hand...

Europe is not Asia!

It is believed that the bulk of the attractions are located on the European part of the city. This fact should be taken into account when choosing an airport, in terms of accommodation and further movements. As well as the fact that this is the only way it is “considered”.

Let’s take note of the topic of “Asian Istanbul”, but in the meantime we return to our “European classics”, dividing the program items according to location on one or the other side of the Golden Horn Bay and devoting a separate article to each part with five main attractions . Today, accordingly - Part I.

1. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is located in the center of Istanbul, in the Sultanahmet district.

Built in the 4th century AD. by order of the Roman Emperor Constantine (in whose honor the city was actually called Constantinople), it remained one of the largest Christian churches for almost a thousand years.

However, in 1453, Sultan Fatih Mehmet converted the cathedral into a mosque, performing his first Friday prayer there after conquering the city.

These days, the Hagia Sophia is open to tourists as a museum, but current Turkish leaders are talking about turning it back into a mosque. “I stayed too long,” they say, “in museums.” In general, hurry to see it while there is still access - at any time.

2. Sultanahmet Mosque, or Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is located opposite the Hagia Sophia, you just need to take literally two steps through Sultanahmet Square.

It was built by order of Sultan Ahmet I in the period 1609 - 1616. and is so far the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets.

I’ll lift the veil of “secret” - the second one should welcome its first believers in 2018.

For the construction of the Sultanahmet Mosque, over twenty thousand white and blue Iznik ceramic tiles were needed, which ultimately led to its second name - the Blue Mosque.

When planning to visit the Blue Mosque, keep in mind that, of course, tourists are only allowed here during breaks between prayers.

While in the Sultanahmet area, be sure to dine at some rooftop restaurant . So that Hagia Sophia is on the left, the Blue Mosque is on the right, and the Bosphorus is in front of you, enjoying the panorama of the city.

And secondly, as an option where to stay: consider for yourself wooden boarding houses , of which there are so many in Sultanahmet. There is a characteristic Ottoman spirit, the smell of wood, engravings on the walls, creaking floorboards and metal beds. I like it, but, of course, it's a matter of taste.

3. Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace, known to Russians primarily for harem battles from series "Magnificent Century" , located on Cape Sarayburnu, at the confluence of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn into the Sea of ​​Marmara.

It was built by order of Sultan Fatih Mehmet the Conqueror in 1460-1478 and was used as an imperial residence for almost 4 centuries. In 1924, it was turned into a museum by order of the Republican Ataturk.

The palace is a large complex surrounded by a single wall, divided into four courtyards, surrounded by gardens and buildings for various purposes.

On the territory of the Topkapi Museum there are: the Treasury, the Church of St. Irene, the buildings of the mint and the office of the Divan, the Tower of Justice, pavilions and mosques.

4. Basilica Cistern or Yerebatan

One of the majestic historical buildings of Istanbul, located within walking distance from the places listed above, is the Basilica Cistern, built by order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD. to supply water to the Grand Palace.

It is an underground reservoir with an area of ​​9,800 square meters and a capacity of almost 100 thousand tons of water.

336 marble columns, about nine meters high, rise from the water to the ceiling.

They were collected from various ancient temples, so they differ from each other in the type of marble and decorations on the capitals.

In the southwestern corner of the reservoir, the heads of the Gorgon Medusa are placed at the base of two columns. One is on its side, the second is upside down.

Perhaps the architects thought that this way the “killer” look of the “young lady” would be less dangerous. But rather, they laid it down like God on my soul...

The music playing in the dungeon, the twilight, the endless rows of columns reflected in the greenish waters where huge whitish fish swim, combined with numerous legends about the Cistern itself, I must say, are impressive.

Come and experience the mystical atmosphere!

5. Covered market, or Kapalycharshi

A visit is a must, and I’m sure you don’t need any additional persuasion from me. Just in case, I remind you that it is located in the center of Istanbul, in the Fatih district on Beyazit Street.

The market has many entrances (more than twenty), one of them is located in close proximity to the attractions listed above, in the Sultanahmet area.

The covered market, also known as the Grand Bazaar, also known as Kapalycharshi, is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. And, of course, one of the most densely populated by pickpockets.

Its territory is divided into parts, each of which presents goods of a certain category.

Fabrics, carpets, clothes, shoes, bags, leather, ceramics, arts and crafts, jewelry, handmade gold and silver dishes, and souvenir shops occupy entire streets, intersecting in all directions.

Products presented there - various categories , from the highest quality to fakes of various world brands, in the manufacture of which the Turks have become quite adept in recent years.

Accordingly, the prices differ... But bargain , As always, - appropriate . True, you should be careful with jewelry products. In general, it is better to purchase it either in recognized chain stores or through an acquaintance, which guarantees no surprises.

Will the Covered Market survive the 2015 tourism downturn? About 15-20% of the pavilions have already ceased to exist, and the market, with its empty corridors, does not look like itself. Wait and see…

To be continued, about another part of the Golden Horn...

However, before finishing, I will not abandon the tradition that has begun to take shape and will provide below a link to a “song about Istanbul” - one of those that, in my opinion, tunes in to its wavelength and allows you to feel its unique spirit. The choice is non-classical, to be honest:

Come to Istanbul and return to it again and again! He is inexhaustible!

It should be said that there are several geographical locations in the world called the “Golden Horn”. And there are even two bays with that name. One of them is in our country. It is located in the Primorsky Territory and divides the city of Vladivostok into two halves. And then there is Zlatni Rat - a beach on a huge, almost six hundred meters long, sand spit near the town of Bole, located exactly opposite the Makarska Riviera. This Golden Horn is one of the “calling cards” of tourist Croatia. The Belarusian analogue is little known even to residents of this country. After all, Zalaty Rog is a small village in the Khalchansky village council of the Vetkovsky district. But here we will talk about the bay, which is on everyone’s lips. This is Chrysokeras, which means “Golden Horn” in Greek. And also about its Far Eastern namesake.

The wealth of Istanbul

This curved, antler-shaped bay with numerous branches traces the European part of the Turkish city and divides it into southern and northern halves. Taking a ride on a pleasure boat along the Golden Horn is item No. 1 on the list of “What to do as a tourist in Istanbul.” Since the shores of the bay cut deeply into the historical part of the city, you can take very picturesque photos from board the ship. The Golden Horn Bay on Turkish maps bears the modest name Halic, which simply means “bay”. But don't underestimate the romantic Turkish soul. Haliç is for short. And the full name of the bay is Halich-i-Dersaadet, “Bay of the Gate of Bliss.” No more and no less. After all, on the high bank stands the Sultan’s Topkapi Palace. God knows what kind of bliss the Gurias who lived in the local harem promised its ruler.

Bay formation

The Golden Horn Bay was created by a sudden shift relatively recently - only eight thousand years ago. The shores of the Sea of ​​Marmara were already inhabited by people. As a result of the displacement of plates, the Bosphorus was formed. The salty waves of the Mediterranean Sea poured into the Black Sea. This not only increased the level of the last reservoir, but also caused almost all the fish to die out. After all, the Black Sea for a long time had no connection with the World Ocean and was fresh. There is an opinion that the toxic hydrocarbon layer that has accumulated at the bottom is nothing more than the remains of the corpse decomposition of the former fauna of this water area. But the crack that formed the Bosphorus Strait also deepened into the European part of present-day Istanbul. This is how the bay arose, called Chrysokeras by the Greeks.

What kind of gold is hidden in the “Horn”?

Even the ancient geographer and historian Strabo noted that thanks to the currents, a lot of fish enter the Golden Horn. He writes that in certain seasons it could even be caught with bare hands. However, he designates the bay itself as the “Horn of Byzantium.” In addition to its fame as a fishing spot, the bay has earned itself a reputation as a convenient harbor for the fleet. Even serious storms have little effect on the calm surface of the bay. Therefore, after whom the city was named, he ordered the construction of shipyards here. It is also difficult to overestimate the transport significance of the bay. The shores of Greek Chrysokeras were inhabited by merchants. So that large merchant ships could enter the bay, in the 16th century Hurrem-Sultan, better known to the world as Roksolana, ordered the bottom of the Golden Horn to be deepened. Modern Turks also recognize the importance of this waterway. Therefore, along with the name “Gate of Bliss” you can often hear Altin Boynuz - Golden Horn.

What does the natural harbor look like now?

Previously, settlements of Jewish and Armenian merchants stretched along the shores of the Golden Horn Bay. For some time there was even a colony of the Genoese Republic. But during the time of Constantinople, at the ends of the Golden Horn, in the Greek region of Blachernae, the palaces of the emperor and all the Byzantine nobility were located. During late antiquity, the coastal region was called Galata. It was to the local Christians that one of the Messages was addressed. Now the ship is sailing past ancient mosques, the Galatian Tower, museums and landscaped parks. The length of the bay is more than twelve kilometers, and the width is small - only one hundred meters. This allows you to see all the sights along the banks. They are connected by four bridges: Old and New Galata, Halich and Ataturk.

Golden Horn Bay, Vladivostok: a glimmer of glory

The world-famous Turkish harbor also gave its name to the bay located many thousands of kilometers east of it. Even during the Crimean War, there was a small Chinese village in the Primorsky Territory, whose residents were engaged in the production of seafood, fish and growing vegetables. They themselves called their bay Haishenway, “the bay of the golden sea cucumber.” The British who arrived here renamed the water area Port May, after the name of the ship's captain. In 1852, when the territory became part of the Russian Empire, the bay was named in honor of Peter the Great. But this name didn’t stick either. Seven years later, the Governor General saw in the winding shores of the bay similarities with the Istanbul harbor. That's why he renamed the former Haishenway to the Golden Horn. And on the shores of the bay he founded the military fort of Vladivostok, which later turned into a city.

PART 5 (1)
Walk about the Golden Horn

Most tourists who come to Istanbul for at least two or three days, of course, take a large or small walk along the Bosphorus (“Bosphorus tour”), but Golden Horn- a bay or bay dividing the European part of the city into two parts: the southern, with its famous “historical peninsula” (Fatih district) and the northern (Beyoglu district), remains beyond their attention.
And completely in vain.

I can honestly say that on two previous trips to magnificent Istanbul, we ourselves tried to see, first of all, what belonged to the “must see” category.

And it came to the Golden Horn only during the third visit to one of our favorite cities (beginning of January 2018).
No, of course, you can’t help but see the Golden Horn while in the center of Istanbul, but it’s one thing to see it while crossing or crossing the Galata Bridge (or the recently built Halic metro bridge), and quite another thing to take a short but very interesting trip along it bay by ferry.

I will have to divide this part of “Notes about Istanbul-3”, illustrated only with my own photographs, into several subparts, since there are a lot of impressions and photographs.
We present to your attention a story about how the trip along the Golden Horn begins, which the Turks unoriginally call simply “Khalich” (i.e. “Gulf”).

It doesn’t matter where exactly your little trip along the Golden Horn starts from: Eminonu or Karakoy (or even from Üsküdar, if you are staying on the Asian side of the city), it will still be the same ferry. It runs once an hour (the schedule varies depending on the time of year).

Ferries plying the Golden Horn look like this:

They are small (without high superstructures and masts), since otherwise they simply would not be able to pass under the four bridges spanning the bay - the Galata Bridge, the Metro Bridge, the Ataturk Bridge and the Halic Bridge.

These bridges do not need to be high, since the Golden Horn is not the Bosphorus, and huge ships (tankers, dry cargo ships, etc.) plying along the Bosphorus, connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean, do not come here.

Here you can see either small motor ships - ferries that act as public transport in Istanbul (and the fare is exactly the same as on the metro or tram, regardless of the travel distance - 4 TL, or 2.60 TL if according to Istanbulkart), or pleasure boats , whose passengers went for entertainment, or small technical or police boats.

However, even in January you can see a kayaker on the Golden Horn:

In any case, no matter where you take the ferry along the Golden Horn, the first of the bridges under which your ship will pass will be Galata.

This bridge itself, which performs a very important function - the fastest and easiest way to travel from Eminonu to Karakoy, on foot (which is more interesting) or by tram line T1, does not represent anything special from an architectural point of view, but still it is one of the attractions the center of Istanbul, and primarily because there are numerous restaurants on its lower tiers on both sides.

I warn you right away, since this is one of the popular tourist places, the prices in the restaurants of the Galata Bridge are clearly inflated, although the views, of course, are impressive. Apparently there is an extra charge to the check amount for the types. Well, that's fair.

On the upper level of the Galata Bridge, fishermen can be seen at any time of the year and in any weather.

For some reason, there are much fewer of them on other bridges across the Golden Horn, and even the Bosphorus embankments cannot compete with the number of fishing enthusiasts that is on the Galata Bridge.

I am not sure that the fish caught in this place can be edible, given the number of ships at the mouth of the Golden Horn. Therefore, as I assume, the fishermen here act as actors for a tourist attraction (I wonder if someone pays them for this?), or maybe they are driven purely by sporting interest: who will catch the most?

But the most interesting thing is that there is a catch!

True, I don’t know how long the owner of this record catch stood with a spinning rod on the Galata Bridge (and all the fishermen there are with spinning rods), and what will he do with it later?

Somehow I don’t want to think that the delicious fish soup that I have repeatedly eaten in Istanbul restaurants is made from fish caught in the muddy and dirty waters of the Golden Horn. I also don’t even want to assume that the fish fillet in my favorite Istanbul “fast food” - “balyk-ekmek”, sold next to the Galata Bridge (10TL) is made from these fish (however, judging by the size, most likely not) .
At least I, who adore any seafood, have never been poisoned after eating several “balyk-ekmek”. And my beloved wife, who is indifferent to seafood, wanted to try this dish (I wouldn’t want to when it’s cooked right in front of you on the grill, wrapped in the freshest pita bread, seasoned with aromatic spices and handed to you with a good-natured smile, wishing you bon appetit !), I also ate it with pleasure. Starting to eat the balyk-ekmek, she warned that if she didn’t like it, then I would have to finish it. I, anticipating an additional portion, agreed. But she was there! I don't have a piece left!

Finally, about what seemed strange to us.
It would seem that fishing is an exclusively male activity or hobby (especially in a Muslim country).
But here's a refutation for you.

Istanbul is a unique city with its own face and unique history. He had a chance to visit both ancient Greek Byzantium and Byzantine Constantinople. History walked confidently through its squares and imprinted its traces on the walls. Constantinople, and later Istanbul, saw the Crusades, Ottoman conquests, periods of decline and prosperity.

Today it is a huge, modern, rapidly developing metropolis, carefully preserving its historical districts, blooming with all the splendor that the East is capable of. Curious travelers come here from all over the world to see the stunning historical monuments of Istanbul and plunge into the modern life of the city.

History of the Golden Horn Bay in Istanbul

The strait now called Golden Horn (Turkish Halic), supposedly formed more than 6 thousand years ago, but the territory could have been inhabited much earlier. In VII BC. the mouth of the bay began to be even more actively populated, which led to the formation of a small Greek colony, which was first called Byzantium, and later turned into Constantinople. Even during the Greek period of the formation and growth of the city, mainly Jews and Italian merchants settled in the Golden Horn Bay. In the 10th-11th centuries in Constantinople, two quarters were founded in these areas: the Venetian and the quarter of the so-called Pisan and Genoese republics.

After the destruction of Constantinople by the Crusaders, a suburb of Western Europeans called Galata was formed in the bay area. There is not much information about the Ottoman period in the history of the Golden Horn. What is known for certain is that the wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, Hurrem Sultan, gave the order to deepen the bay in 1541. This was done in order to create better conditions for the Ottoman fleet: now large ships could sail into the Golden Horn Bay. The bay area was the financial center of Istanbul. Numerous Muslim temples and a large shipyard were also located here.

The history of the name of the Golden Horn Bay is closely connected, first of all, with its shape. Because of its external similarity - which is noticeable even on the map - the bay has been called “Horn” since ancient times. It was probably named “Golden” because of its favorable geographical location and the beauty of the local landscapes. It seemed to the romantic Greeks that in the light of the setting sun the waters of the bay shimmered with pure gold. In Greek, the bay was called Chrysokeras, which literally means “golden horn”. Another name for the area has been preserved - Horn of Byzantium. The Greek philosopher and geographer Strabo mentions it. Later, using the tracing method, the name was translated into other European languages, where it literally means “golden horn”. In Turkish, the Golden Horn Bay is simply called Halic, which translates as “bay” or “bay”.

If previously the bay was an important strategic object in numerous wars, the 20th century brought it completely new problems. The ecology of this stunningly beautiful place began to deteriorate sharply. Since a huge number of industrial enterprises and various kinds of workshops were concentrated on the banks of the Golden Horn, tons of sewage and hazardous waste were discharged into the waters. As a result, the once clear water of the “golden” bay turned into dirty slurry. In 1984, the authorities of Istanbul began to reorganize the city and save Turkey's beautiful natural heritage. Businesses and even residential areas were removed from the coast; A modern sewage treatment system was installed.

Golden Horn Bay as it is

Golden Horn Bay in Istanbul is located in its European part, dividing it into the southern and northern halves. The Golden Horn Bay flows into the place where it connects with the Sea of ​​Marmara. The Golden Horn is one of the most picturesque natural harbors in the world. The length of the strait is just over 12 kilometers, the width in different places varies from 90 to 700 m. The depth of the Golden Horn Bay is about 47 meters. From the west into it 2 streams flow into:

• Ali-bey-su
• and Kiat-hane-su.

The bay has a very advantageous position: protected literally on all sides from destructive storms and limited on the northwestern side by the Shkota Peninsula. Part of the coast has a hilly surface, the other part is flat. The once abundant shores provided the inhabitants of Byzantium with rich harvests, and the waters of the bay were full of fish. Now the ecology of the region is just being restored. The weather in the bay is very changeable. In summer, winds blow from the south and southeast, and heavy rains often occur. It can be foggy in the mornings. In autumn, winds blow from the northwest, but the weather is mostly clear and dry. The shores of the bay are fortified throughout. Available everywhere piers and berths:

• Ayvansaray,
• Haskoy,
• Sütlüce et al.

Bridges over the bay

Throwed across the Golden Horn Bay 5 bridges:

• Ataturk Bridge,
• Galata Bridge,
• Halic bridge,
• The old Galata Bridge, which has already been decommissioned,
• and the new Zolotoy Rog metro bridge.

>
It was built on the site of the ancient Virtue Bridge, which was also called the Jewish Bridge. Through it, anyone could get from one part of Istanbul to another completely free of charge. A modern bridge cannot be crossed for free. All travelers are charged a fixed price, which goes towards the improvement of the city. Ataturk Bridge is a transport bridge, the fourth largest in Europe. Located in the area and.

The Galata Bay Bridge consists of two floors. The lower floor is a cozy walking area, in the central part of which there are numerous fish restaurants and bars. On the top floor there is a track intended for trams and cars. In the central part, the Galata Bridge is a drawbridge, which was made specifically for the ease of passage of large ships. Next to it is the New Mosque. The Old Galata Bridge, built by the German company MAN, was once a pedestrian bridge, but after a fire it ceased to function and was moved upstream.

Metrobridge
Of particular interest is the Golden Horn metro bridge. This is the newest bridge across the Golden Horn Bay. It was opened in 2014. This high cable-stayed (suspension) bridge is dedicated to the metro line. Its length is 926 m. The bridge connects the Yenikapı transport hub and the Istanbul subway station “Hadzhiosman”.

Coast of the Golden Horn Bay - areas and attractions

Now on the shores of the bay some of the most ancient quarters are located Istanbul:

• Haskoy,
• Ayvansaray,
• Fener

Basically, these are poor neighborhoods adjacent to important historical monuments and architectural monuments. The shores of the Golden Horn Bay overlook large urban areas:

After the reorganization aimed at saving the ecology of the Golden Horn Bay, its coastline began to make a more favorable impression. Now parks and squares stretch along the shore; There are also neat pedestrian areas for walking. The bay divided the European part of Istanbul into the old and new cities. If the “new” city is famous mainly for its entertainment venues, then the “old” is a real collection of treasures of the former power of the Ottoman Empire.

In the central part of the bay, where the Fener and Balat quarters are located, there are many ancient buildings, churches, synagogues that were built in the Byzantine and later Ottoman eras.

One of the most important attractions of the bay is the beautiful Ottoman building -. It was built on

The border of the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn. Topkapi is a huge complex of the Sultan's residence, covering an area of ​​more than 700,000 square meters. m.

In the Beyoglu region there is another historical relic that is worth seeing - the 60-meter high, which is a symbol of Istanbul. Mentions of this ancient structure are found in archival documents of the 5th century AD. Its observation deck, located high above the ground, offers stunning panoramic views of the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn itself.

Another decoration of the shores of the bay is a huge, stunningly beautiful and majestic one, built during the heyday of the Ottoman Empire. The order to build this grandiose structure was given by none other than Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent himself.

In the Eminonu quarter rises another amazing creation of skilled Ottoman architects -. This is one of the largest mosques in Istanbul and, perhaps, the longest “long-term construction”: the new mosque took 66 years to build! Today it is the most visited Muslim temple in the city.

There are still many different attractions on the coast of the Golden Horn Bay, varying in significance, but none of them are exceptionally interesting. Definitely need to check it out:

• and to the Church of Our Lady of Blachernae,
• Miniature
• and Tekfur Palace.

And in order to fully experience the beauty of the Golden Horn Bay, a visit to these wonders should be combined with a boat trip.

Hotels in the bay area

Since the Golden Horn Bay is of exceptional historical interest, hordes of tourists always flock here. In areas located on its coast, there are many hotels of different classes. Among them there are real masterpieces. These include:

Grand Hotel de Londres
Grand Hotel de Londres, welcoming guests for more than 120 years. It was here that passengers of the famous Orient Express stopped, because Istanbul was its final stop. The hotel was opened in 1892 and immediately became the best establishment in the city, along with the no less famous Pera Palace. The Grand Hotel de Londres is exquisitely decorated on the outside and equally magnificent on the inside. Wealthy guests of Istanbul also chose it for its stunning views of the Golden Horn. At one time, the hotel fell into oblivion due to the appearance of new luxury hotels in Istanbul - Hilton and Divan. However, in the late 80s of the 20th century, tourism began to develop rapidly in Turkey, and the Grand Hotel de Londres literally experienced its rebirth.

Sea Mansion Suites & Spa
In addition to this historical establishment, there are many more cool hotels in the Golden Horn Bay area. The magnificent Sea Mansion Suites & Spa is located in the Fatih area. Excellent service and a high level of service are combined with a convenient geographical location. All the most significant attractions of the city are located 300-700 meters away from the Sea Mansion Suites:

• Blue Mosque,
• in the past the cathedral, and now the Hagia Sophia mosque,
• Column of Constantine, etc.

Raymond Blue
Fatih is also home to the luxurious Raymond Blue Hotel. The exquisite ambiance of this elite establishment is a combination of the best national traditions and the most modern trends in design. Within walking distance from the hotel are the treasures of Istanbul:

• luxurious palace of the Topkapi Sultan,
• Saint Sophie Cathedral
• and the famous Istanbul Archaeological Museum.

You can find out more about this and other hotels located in the Golden Horn Bay on the website: www.booking.com.

Where is the Golden Horn Bay and how to get to it

The Golden Horn is located in the European part of the metropolis. To get to it, for example:

Near Ataturk Bridge, you need to sit down:

• on bus no. IETT 48 E, which goes in the direction GÖKTÜRK - EMİNÖNÜ,
• or at bus number 1453(direction MİNİATÜRK - PANORAMA). In both cases, you need to go to the stop UNKAPANI - KADİR HAS Ü.
• You can take a ride and by light rail. Suitable numbers are M2, 54 TE, 46 С, 46 СY, 47 С, 54 HS, 77 С, EM 1 or EM 2.

Another way to travel towards the bay is istanbul funicular.

• To the Karakoy stop Trains numbered F 2, 46 C, 47 C, 48 E, 54 TE, T 1, 77 C, 97 GE will be delivered.
• To Tunel station There is a funicular No. NT 1.
• To Beyoglu— No. F 2.
• You can also use by tram(No. T 1, 54 TE, 48 E, 77 C, EM 2 or 46 C) and follow to Eminonu station.

More detailed information about getting around Istanbul can be found on the website www.placesinistanbul.com.

Golden Horn Bay on the map of Istanbul: