The Bosphorus has long attracted the attention of travelers and explorers. Uniting Asia and Europe, it fills the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul with oriental and European flavor. The Bosphorus is a symbol of the ancient city and country, one of the main attractions, its blue-blue waters, bridges and tunnels impress both tourists and local residents.

Three great empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman left indelible historical traces on its shores. Great civilizations, their culture, customs and mores were born on the banks of the stormy Bosphorus. Witness of great battles, change of rulers, love stories, it still keeps many secrets that are just to be discovered.

The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black and Marmara Seas

The Bosphorus is translated from the Turkic language as "cow's ford". beautiful legend says that the great Zeus fell in love with the daughter of King Inach named Io. The lovers were not destined to be together, the angry wife of Zeus Hera turned the girl into a white cow. And she had no choice but to search for salvation in the depths of the fabulous Bosphorus.

Now the strait: the world's main water artery. It connects the Black and Marmara Seas, and then passes into the famous Dardanelles Strait, merging with the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. This is a huge transport tourist centre uniting countries and continents. The length of the water artery is 30 km, the width in some places reaches 4 km, and the depth is up to 80 m.

The view of the strait from the plane is mesmerizing

The Bosphorus is famous for its heavy traffic of ships, boats, ferries and other water vehicles. The movement takes place against the backdrop of weather changes, especially in winter and autumn. This is what makes the Bosphorus interesting: unusual natural phenomena, mass shipping, the extraordinary beauty of the European and Asian parts of the great city. It is better to see Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the water, and for this it is worth taking a memorable ferry trip -. It offers tourists both long and short tours, you can read more about the duration and organization of such tours.

You can also combine a sightseeing tour of the Bosphorus with a trip to.

Bridges across the Bosphorus

It is impossible to imagine the magical Bosphorus without majestic bridges connecting it. This is Business Cards Istanbul and all of Turkey. Back in the 6th century AD. Persian wars were transported through the sea barrier on the flooring laid on top of the boats, which were fastened together.

New technologies of the twentieth century made it possible to create truly monumental structures. In total, three bridges are thrown across the Bosphorus, and each differs in technical features, design solutions and different time periods of their construction.

Bosphorus Bridge - 15 July Martyrs Bridge

Bosphorus Bridge (Boğaziçi Köprüsü)

Istanbul needed modern crossings like air, however, political turmoil and lack of Money not allowed to start building them. The first suspension bridge was conceived, being in projects on paper, back in the middle of the 20th century, but its construction began only at the beginning of 1970. In the autumn of 1973, the bridge was solemnly opened, the date was not chosen by chance, October 29 marked the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of M.K. Ataturk Education of the Republic of Turkey.

The design and construction of the monumental structure was entrusted to the German company Hochtief and the English company Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company. For the sample, a building located in Northern England. Work began to boil: thousands of people worked on its construction, 23 million dollars were spent - for today a meager amount.

View from the Bosphorus bridge to the strait

What is the Bridge of the Martyrs on July 15? The structure is installed on only two pillars, each 165 m high, so it seems that the bridge is hovering over the Bosphorus. This height was not chosen by chance, the vessels have a maximum height of 60 m in height and freely pass under the bridge. Its length: 1.5 km, width: 33 m, main span: 1 km 75 m, from the carriageway to the surface of the water 64 m. . You have to pay for travel.

Initially, it was called the first Bosphorus bridge, since later a new bridge appeared across this huge waterway: named after Sultan Mehmed Fatih, which became the second Bosphorus.

The bridge changed its name several times, now the official name of the bridge is the 15th of July Martyrs Bridge. The new name was given by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the events called a coup d'état in 2016, in honor of the fallen heroes for the freedom and independence of Turkey.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü Bridge

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

Istanbul, a city where all religions of the world are mixed and their brightest representatives are respected. The second Bosphorus bridge is named after Sultan Mehmed Fatih: the famous Ottoman conqueror who commanded the troops of his empire. Under him, under the onslaught of the Turkish hordes, the great Constantinople fell.

The construction of the crossing began in 1985 in order to be in time for a significant date: 535 years of the conquest of the city by the Ottoman troops. And on May 29, 1988, the bridge was solemnly opened.

This time, the choice fell on Japanese designers and builders, who, in a record time of three years, erected another decoration of the Bosphorus: the Mehmed Fatih Bridge. This time it cost taxpayers more: $130 million. The structure was erected at the narrowest point of the strait. Here once Darius built his first pontoon ferry for his army. Thus, another path was laid, connecting the European region of the Rumeli Hisarı metropolis with its Asian part of Anadolu Hisarı.

The length of the structure is 1.5 km, of which a little more than 1 km is occupied by a suspension structure, a width of 39 m. This is one of the largest bridges in the world. It, like the Bridge of the Martyrs on July 15, is supported by two huge pillars, the height of which is 65 m each. You have to pay for the passage on it, it is closed to pedestrians, the traffic flow is 150 thousand cars a day.

The cost of passing the bridge for cars is 7 Turkish lira.

Sultan Selim Yavuz Bridge

Sultan Selim Yavuz Bridge

Modern construction technologies have made it possible to unload traffic in Istanbul. For 15 million residents of the metropolis, two crossings across the strait were clearly not enough, and in 2013, in the presence of Turkish officials, the first stone of the monumental structure was laid. In 2016, on August 26, the bridge was opened, giving it the name of Sultan Selim Yavuz. Historical sources speak of the ninth ruler of the Ottoman state as a formidable and merciless ruler, a remarkable strategist and conqueror.

The third bridge in Istanbul was opened in 2016

The Turkish authorities have not betrayed themselves when deciding on the choice of contractors in favor of well-known companies. And this time, the construction of the crossing was entrusted to the large Italian company Astaldi. However, the amount that the construction cost has increased significantly: they spent 3 billion dollars.

In order not to disturb the overall picture, the bridge of Sultan Selim Yavuz was also made suspended. Its length is 2 km 164 m, the suspension part is 1 km 400 m, the width is 59 m, the height of each support is 322 m. It connected the northern districts of Pashakoy and Odayeri, being part of the global project "The northern Marmara highway project", which determines the transport development of Istanbul and the country generally.

The fare for passenger cars on the bridge is 11.95 TL.

Transport tunnels under the Bosphorus

The rapid development of Istanbul and its environs, the growth of population, the increase in tourist flow and the transformation of the Bosphorus into one of the world's main waterways, made it necessary to look for new ways of transport crossings. The tunnels have become an excellent addition, partially unloading the active traffic of Istanbul and reducing air pollution in the metropolis.

Underwater railway tunnel Marmaray (Marmaray tüneli)

Marmaray railway tunnel

The development of new technologies made it possible to realize a bold project. The construction of the tunnel began in 2004, and dragged on, as the designers and builders thought through every little thing, taking care of the safety of passengers, most importantly, about seismic fitness. In addition, in the course of the work, it was discovered historical values hiding under the earth. The project had to be quickly changed, it took a lot of time. A section of the track was opened only in 2013 instead of the planned 2009, in 2015 the second section began to work, thus, the tunnel was fully commissioned. Marmaray is the first Railway Istanbul, connecting the European and Asian districts of the city.

Marmaray got its name by combining two concepts (Marmara - Sea of ​​​​Marmara) and (rail - rail). The length of the tunnel is 13.6 km, of which part of the deep drilling is 9.8 km, part of the path lies under water for 1.4 km, the deepest section of the tunnel was laid 60 meters from the surface of the Bosphorus.

Road tunnel "Eurasia" (Avrasya Tüneli)

Tunnel Eurasia (Avrasya Tüneli)

The cost of accommodation starts from 500 liras / day.

Conrad Istanbul

View from the Bosphorus suite at the Conrad Hotel

A magnificent view of the Bosphorus opens from the bar on the 14th floor, as well as from the Bosphorus suite, executive king room and executive room.

A 15-minute walk is Yildiz Park, and a 14-minute walk is Besiktas Marina, from where you can take a ferry to and walk along Bahariye Street, or take a trip to.

The cost of living is from 500 liras / day.

Renaissance Istanbul Polat Bosphorus Hotel

The Renaissance Hotel has several types of rooms overlooking the Bosphorus

A breathtaking view of the Bosphorus opens not only from the terrace of the bar on the top floor, but also from the hotel rooms. In all its glory, you can watch sunrises and sunsets from the window of the room.

This is a fairly modern and comfortable hotel in a good location.

Near the hotel there is a stop Darphane (Darfan), from here on buses 29C, 29D, 41E, 62 or 63 you can drive 7 stops to Fındıklı (Findikly), then walk a minute to the T1 tram stop Nut Mimar Sinan University and get straight to Sultanahmet.

The cost of living is from 220/day.

Deep Hotel

Breakfast on the balcony of the Deep Hotel

The hotel is located in the Besiktas area, on the hillside of Portakal Yokuşu, which is why some of the hotel rooms offer not only a beautiful city panorama, but also the Bosphorus is visible.

The hotel is small, there are several accommodation options: small room, standard, deluxe and suite.

The cost of accommodation is from 200 liras / day.

What to look for when booking a hotel

The vast majority of tourists, when choosing a hotel, read reviews before the trip and look at photos of the rooms. Now, when many people share their impressions and reviews, it has become easier to choose a place to stay for the duration of the trip. I would like to recall some of the nuances that can be overlooked when choosing a hotel.

View from the Shangri-La Bosphorus hotel room

• Speaking about viewing photos of hotel rooms, you should first of all pay attention to those posted by the tourists themselves, because such photos, as a rule, are without embellishment. Also pay attention to the size of the room, because in the photo it may seem larger than in reality.
• It is worth looking at the map where the hotel you are interested in is located and whether there are public transport, metro or tram stops nearby, is it easy to get to historical center Sultanahmet. After all, if you want to save money, and the hotel has an unfortunate location, you will have to spend money on a taxi. Public transport in Istanbul is very well developed and it is quite comfortable (as far as public transport can be comfortable in principle), so where possible, feel free to use trams, metro, ferries and buses.
• If you are going on a trip to Istanbul in the "off season", then, if you have doubts about choosing a hotel, you can pre-book it for 1-2 days. It is very convenient to book only for a day, and not for the entire period of the trip, because if the hotel disappointed you or did not like it at all, you can easily move to another place the next day or the next day. Lately I have been doing just that, because in winter, late autumn or in early spring a very large selection of hotels and available rooms.
• Hotel prices may vary on different sites - on hotel sites, as a rule, more expensive. There are various discounts and discounts in online booking systems. Special offers, so even in an expensive hotel you can book a room at a good price.
• Do not forget that in Istanbul, in small hotels and inns, they only offer, and a choice of different types of breakfast is usually in large hotels. Therefore, if you book a hotel for the entire duration of your trip, please note that there are busy streets with various cafes next to it - this will help you out in case of unsatisfactory food at the hotel.
• Since we are talking about hotels overlooking the Bosphorus, you need to understand that not all rooms have a view of the strait: somewhere it is a view from afar or the sea is partially visible. In hotels located far from coastline, you should choose higher floors.

When you have definitely decided that you want to stay in a hotel overlooking the Bosphorus, then you should start searching and booking. One of the most popular and convenient online services for choosing and booking hotels is Booking.com. When booking a hotel, carefully read all the terms and conditions, so that your trip is not overshadowed by accommodation issues.

You can use the search form and start choosing options - for this, enter the desired dates, city or a specific hotel and start choosing.

We wish you new experiences and pleasant travels!

Content 1 - Bosphorus Strait 2 - How to get to the port 2.1 - Public transport, ticket prices 2.2 - Commercial ferries 2.3 - Private boats 2.4 - City transport 2.5 - "Street" excursions 2.6 - Book in advance 3 - What can be seen on the walk 4 - Reviews of tourists who have been on cruises 5 - Tours of the Bosphorus 5.1 - Treasures of the Bosphorus 5.2 - Istanbul without a cover or how to get lost in the city

Most often, they “walk” along the Bosphorus on the first or second day of rest. Such a walk does not require activity, and this is exactly what a tired, recently arrived tourist needs. On board ferry, you can order a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and enjoy all the beauties, sitting in a comfortable chair. Don't forget to charge your camera!

Bosphorus

It is also called the Istanbul Strait. This is a place that connects Europe and Asia, as well as an incredibly important route for Turkey and the rest of the world. Since the strait is the only link between the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Marmara, ships arrive around the clock. The strait is narrow, collisions of ships often occur. The maximum width is 3700 m, and the minimum is 700 m. In addition to merchant ships, here you can also see cruise ships, fishing boats, warships. The length of the Bosphorus is 30 km.

How to get to the port

- a place where every tourist who wants to “walk” along the strait should first of all get. After all, it is here is the main port. The easiest way to get there is from the nearest metro station - Halic. A train and a bus leave every minute from there, and in twenty minutes it arrives directly at the square. If you go on foot, you can get there in a quarter of an hour.

Immediately at the pier are bright and unusual boats. These are places where popular metropolitan sandwiches are sold. One has only to imagine: a fresh, still warm bun, and inside there are crispy vegetables and juicy fried fish. All this is poured with a special sauce and served hot. Definitely worth trying!

Next is the tour. To choose the right one for the price, duration and program, you need to go to the ticket office on the pier. There is a list of options with schedules and prices. Each of the excursions is interesting in itself, so any choice will be successful.

Public transport, ticket prices

The walk takes on average about six hours: two hours one way, the same amount in the other, and another two hours on final stop. If the choice falls on this excursion, then it is better to devote the whole day to it. Let the time be spent not on your feet, but the road still takes strength. The cost of the tour is 25 lira per person, one way - 15 lira.

There is also another short state tour to the Ortakey stop. In this case, the ship sails to the Fatih Bridge, then returns to the starting point. The price of the tour is 12 lire, and it is only available from April to October.

Such ferries go three times a day. We have only five stops and the final one is A.Kavagi. Further, the strait becomes wider, mixing with the Black Sea. At the final stop, tourists have a few hours to walk. There you can wander through the ruins of a 19th-century Genoese castle. After that, tourists often dine in the neighboring village, where delicious local dishes are prepared. After the walk, the ferry goes back with the same stops.

Beginning from the last month of autumn and until the first month of spring, walks daily only one flight because there are fewer tourists at this time of the year. It is better to check the most up-to-date information on the official website: sehirhatlari.istanbul

There is nothing unusual on the ship, everything is quite modest: a lot of wooden benches and always an open deck so that you can see the beauty better. On the deck you can buy tea or juice, and they will be offered delicious homemade pies. Very colorful!

Commercial ferries

There are many options for this walk. a bunch of. Each ferry has its own price and schedule. It's better to check on the spot. The duration of the walk is one and a half hours, and this is more than enough to enjoy the scenery of the capital. The ferry sails along the Asian side and returns in the same way. It swims only to the Fatih bridge. The ticket price is 12 lire. The frequency of departures is 1 time per hour. This is a great advantage, since with such a schedule it is simply impossible to be late for an excursion.

Private boats

In addition to the above options, you can also rent small boat with a private "captain". The cost of such an excursion depends on its duration, as well as on the ability to bargain.

The size of the vessel should be taken into account if a large company of people is going for a walk. In this case, it is better to rent two boats at once or go on a classic ferry. More people, but all together!

Schedule city ​​ferries can also be viewed at the checkout. The payment is equal to the fare on any other public transport in Istanbul. It is carried out by Istanbul card or token. It is easier for a tourist to travel with a token, since in most cases only local residents have cards. You can buy a token at the same box office in the port.

The most popular routes are: Eminonu - Kadikoy and Eminonu - Uskudar. Eminönü also departs for Golden Horn cruises. They are carried out daily and last about two hours.

"Street" excursions

What can be seen on the walk

When the ship sails from the pier, then every tourist is simply obliged to look back. From this angle, the Suleymaniye Mosque looks even more majestic and beautiful. Further admiration will await the palaces and mosques of the 19th century, the entrance doors of which are turned towards the Bosphorus. From this building become even more magnificent.

Along the coastline you will also see a large number of restaurants and wooden summer villas. After Bosphorus Suspension Bridge is the ninth longest in the world. At night it is especially beautiful when it lights up with bright lights. And what photos can be taken! After it there will be a second Bosphorus bridge, or as it is also called - Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. At the end of any of the walks on the left side will be neat and very compact, compared to everything else, Maiden's Tower- another attraction.

Any of the tours are not particularly informative. This is a real walk, in which you just need to enjoy the views, from time to time being distracted by the camera to take some gorgeous pictures for memory. This journey is a must. This is not only relaxation, but also a sea of ​​emotions that will burn for a very long time!

Reviews of tourists who have been on cruises

Reviews from tripadvisor.com

Boat trip along the Bosporus, which divides the city into two parts: Europe and Asia. On the yacht we boarded, we were immediately served dinner, and the guide told the story of some of the houses and people who lived on the shore. The Asian part of Istanbul, which we saw, is rich in modern buildings, private villas, hotels adjacent to old houses. We sailed under bridges, cars and buses drove from above. The sun, reflected from the waters of the bay, sometimes did not allow to see the details, other pleasure yachts sailed by. The Bosphorus is a strait between Europe and Asia Minor, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of ​​Marmara. (According to one of the most common legends, the strait got its name thanks to the daughter of the ancient Argive king - the beautiful beloved of Zeus named Io was turned by him into a white cow in order to avoid the wrath of his wife Hera. The unfortunate Io chose waterway to salvation by diving into the blue of the strait, which since then has been called the "cow's ford" or the Bosphorus. Material from Wikipedia). The Bosphorus is considered difficult to pass due to the current and changeable weather. The guide told us that ships often crashed into houses located very close to the waters of the bay. While walking along the Bosphorus, we saw many minarets of mosques, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, they were all in full view. The former military academy, and the bridge named after one of the sultans, underwent changes after the events of July 15, 2016, when there was an attempted coup d'etat in the country. Since then, July 15 has been declared a day off in Turkey, Democracy Day. Interestingly, we visited Istanbul on this very day.
The Bosphorus walk was coming to an end, we enjoyed the magnificent views and amazing stories of the guide, casting farewell glances at historical part Istanbul. The tour delighted me to the core, made me think about history, learn more about the events of the past! The guide was right when he said that once you have been to Istanbul, you will want to come back again ...

We arrived for 2 days from Istanbul from Bulgaria with a travel agency. After reading the reviews, we ourselves arrived at the ferry stop port on Eminem Square and for 20 lira bought tickets for a Bosphorus cruise for 1.5 hours, using the maps.my map, we looked at the sights, it was very interesting, the views are gorgeous !!! A must to visit. As part of our 2 day tour, the guide offered a Bosphorus tour for 1.5 hours but already for 25 euros per person!

Excursions on the Bosphorus

A tourist, arriving in a particular city, always wants to learn as much as possible about this place. But the Bosphorus is like a small exception. Here it is better to silently observe everything from the ferry. You can discuss beauty with your neighbors, enjoy them silently, or just take beautiful photos.

Treasures of the Bosphorus

This excursion is a small cruise, which is a must for every traveler. It will not only be a classic “gazing at landscapes”, but also a walk along the coast, where you can see entire bay areas, ancient fortresses, beautiful yachts, as well as many other and interesting things around.

Tour details:

• duration - 3.5 hours;
• from 1 to 4 people;
• cost - 107 euros per tour;
• allowed with children.

Additional funds will be needed for tickets to the ship, bus, to the fortress. Also optional for coffee and food. There will be stops along the way that serve divinely delicious national dishes.

Reviews:

Hello. We heartily recommend Galina. A very versatile girl, light and sociable - she knows both encyclopedic knowledge and everyday questions - my mother and I were interested in some questions about history - not included in the tour, and Galya gave exhaustive answers to them. than to compare, we heartily recommend it. Galya is high on Istanbul, loves history, facts, but also with regard to modern issues, she will lead everything. everything was wonderful, Galya successes and all the best !!!

DD! I liked that the tour was held as a simple communication between people. The guide Gala not only spoke with love about the beautiful Bosphorus, but also gave us our opinion on this or that historical issue (my husband is fond of history). At the end of the tour, it seemed that we met with a kindred spirit! Thank you for the amazing story and conversation! Recommended to everyone, especially those who visit Istanbul for the first time.

Istanbul without a cover or how to get lost in the city

The tour is intended for those who are already tired of classic excursions, including the most popular places one city or another. This tour is for those who want to explore the city on their own in an unexpected setting. The tour will show you how to get lost in the streets, in history, tastes, traditions, incredible views - and get great pleasure from it!

What does the tour include:

• from 1 to 4 people;
• duration - 4 hours;
• allowed with children;
• cost - 82 euros for the entire tour.

Additional costs will be spent only on the ferry ticket. Everything else in the form of drinks and food is optional.

Reviews:

The excursion is good, in places where you are unlikely to reach yourself. Guide - Rita, lives in Istanbul, answered all our questions, oriented on the points of interest to us. Introduced to the life of Istanbul in great detail! We recommend this tour and Rita (guide) definitely!

Great walk with a great guide! We got a lot of impressions from walking through places that we would hardly have looked into ourselves. The route is very thoughtful, there is time for sightseeing, and for rest and all sorts of goodies. Rita is a very educated and pleasant girl, she helped us navigate the city and outlined a route for us to explore on our own. I wholeheartedly recommend!!!

The Bosphorus is a strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Marmara (further through the Dardanelles you can get into the Aegean Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean.

The Bosphorus is not just a strait. The Bosphorus divides the largest Turkish city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople, where Ukrainian Cossacks went on campaigns) into 2 parts.

It is also believed that the Bosphorus separates Europe and Asia (which is why this article is in 2 sections at once). Thus, Istanbul is the only city on the planet that is located on 2 continents at once :)

The length of the Bosphorus is about 30 km, the maximum width is 3700 m in the north of the strait, the minimum is 700 m. The depth of the fairway of the Bosphorus is from 33 to 80m.

The banks of the Bosphorus are connected by only 2 bridges. The Bosphorus Bridge was built in 1973 and has a length of 1074m. The second Bridge of Sultan Mehmed Fatih (length 1090m) was built to the north, 5km from the Bosphorus Bridge only in 1988.

Another 1275m long bridge will link the Trans-European Highway and expressway Northern Marmara. The new bridge will have 8 traffic lanes. In 2013, the Marmaray railway bridge is to be completed.

It is believed that the Bosphorus appeared only 5000-7500 years ago. Previously, the water level in the Black and mediterranean seas was lower, significantly lower and they were not related.

The Bosphorus is a very important strait. provides access for ships from Ukrainian, Russian and Transcaucasian and Eastern European ports to the Mediterranean Sea, and from there to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The Bosphorus plays a particularly important role in the export of Russian and Caspian oil.

Although a considerable number of dry cargo ships pass through it, following from America or Asia to the ports of the Black Sea.

Where is the Bosphorus located? Why is he interesting? We will talk about this in our article.

Between Europe and a peninsula in western Asia ( Asia Minor) is a zone of two straits: the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. The distance between them is 190 km. The Bosphorus (Istanbul Strait) connects the Black and Marmara Seas. The Dardanelles Strait connects the Marmara and Aegean seas. The length of this body of water is 120 km.

The Bosphorus Strait for Russia has long had important strategic knowledge.

The emergence of the strait

Geomorphologists (scientists who study the Earth's relief) believe that the water space between the seas arose about 7,500 years ago. In those days, the Black and Marmara Seas did not connect with each other, since the water level was much lower compared to the present geographical position.

During the ice age, a huge mass of ice and snow melted, as a result of which the water level rose significantly, forming a strait between these seas. Now the Bosphorus is a deepening of the earth's surface flooded with water, more than 30 km long.

It is noteworthy that this is the only strait in Europe in which there are two currents: the upper desalinated from the Black Sea to the Marmara, and the salty (lower) flowing from the Marmara to the Black. This is a natural phenomenon was discovered in 1881 by oceanographer and vice admiral Stepan Makarov.

The legend associated with the name of the strait

The Bosphorus has many legends offering their own explanations for the origin of the name. The most common myth that has come down to our time says that Zeus, the god of heaven and thunder, fell in love with Io (daughter of the ancient Greek river god Inach). Zeus's wife Hera (goddess of the hearth) suspected her husband of infidelity, and he, in order to save his beloved from the curse of his wife, turned Io into a white cow. Hera liked this animal, and she decided to take it for herself. Thus, Io became a slave who was tied to a tree. After some time, Zeus freed Io, but Hera, not resigned to this, sent a poisonous wasp at her. The cow girl, fleeing from a bite, rushed into the water of the strait, which, thanks to legend, was called the “cow ford” or the Bosphorus.

The scientific origin of the name "Bosphorus"

Historians suggest that the word comes from two ancient Greek words. "Bos" is translated as a bull or a cow, and "poros" - a ford, a passage. The phrase "bosporos" was eventually changed to "bosphoros", and then to "Bosphorus", which, as we already know, translates as "cow's ford".

History of the Bosphorus

We found out where the Bosphorus is located. Now let's talk about its history. Since the ten-year Trojan War, which, according to historians, took place in the period of the XIII-XII centuries before our era, the Bosphorus has been the cause of many international military conflicts.

After the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottoman Empire in 1453, the Turkish rulers erected various fortifications in the form of fortresses, villas and residences on the banks of the strait.

At the end of the 17th century, the Russian Empire gained a foothold on the coasts of the Black and Seas of Azov. At this time, a problem arose associated with the Bosphorus.

The main reason was that the coast of the Bosporus belonged to Turkey, and for many centuries the Turkish government unilaterally resolved the issue of the passage of Russian ships from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. This provision was the cause of armed conflicts between Turkey and Russia.

In 1774, in the village of Kyuchuk-Kaynardzha (now it is the territory of Bulgaria), a peace treaty was signed, on the basis of which Empress Catherine II ended the six-year war with Turkey (1768-1774) and Russian ships received the right of free passage through the strait to the Mediterranean Sea. It is noteworthy that, according to the agreement, Russia could now create its own Black Sea Fleet.

After the completion of the hostilities of the First World War, the Bosphorus becomes a neutral zone under the control of the first international organization - the League of Nations. Now the Bosphorus is considered " open sea» for all countries of the world. But Turkey retained the right to restrict the passage through it of ships of countries that are not included in the Black Sea zone and the passage of warships of any state in peacetime.

Communications of the modern strait

At all times, the passage of ships through the Bosporus was associated with difficulties: the passage is rather narrow for sea ships and has a winding configuration that follows the line of the coast.

But, thanks to the beacons installed in in large numbers, in the Bosporus there were no significant disasters associated with human casualties. Now its banks are connected by three bridges and two tunnels.

In 2016, the construction of a road and rail bridge (1,410 meters) was completed, which was erected in the northern part of the body of water. The bridge bears the name of the ninth Turkish sultan - Selim the Terrible. An automobile transport facility across the strait (1,100 meters) was built in 1988 and is considered the second suspension bridge, located at a height of 165 m above the water surface.

The first is the bridge, which is called the "Bosphorus Bridge". It was erected in 1973 and has a span of 1,075 meters. In addition to bridges this moment There are two underground structures.

This is a railway tunnel ("Marble"), 13.5 km long, which was opened in 2013. And automotive. It was opened two years later. Its length is 14.5 km. A feature of this underground structure is that 5.5 km pass under the strait at a depth of more than 105 meters.

Legend of the Dardanelles

The ancient Greeks called this strait the Hellespont, which in translation sounds like the “sea of ​​\u200b\u200bGella” and is associated with an ancient legend that says that the son of King Eol (lord of the Aeolian Islands) had two children - the son of Frix and the daughter of Hella, who after death mothers were raised by Ino's evil stepmother.

When they grew up, the stepmother decided to destroy her husband's children. The king's daughter and son tried to flee on a flying ram. During the flight, Gella, unable to hold on to the golden sheep's wool, fell into the sea and died. Since then, it bore her name - "the sea of ​​\u200b\u200bGella." Modern name the strait received thanks to the city of Dardaneus, which once stood on the banks of the Dardanelles.

History of the Dardanelles

In the 5th century BC e. the territory of the strait was the scene of the Greco-Persian wars. At that time, the Persian king Xerxes I instructed to build a bridge across the Dardanelles in order to transport troops to invade Greece.

Two bridges were built from interconnected sea vessels: the first bridge consisted of 360 ships, the second of 314. Thanks to this, the Persian troops fought across Europe.

In 334 BC, the strait was used by the troops of Alexander the Great. They made a successful crossing. After that, the commander began his historical campaign against Asia.

At the end of the 17th century, part of the territory of the coast of the Azov and Black Seas went to Russian Empire. The use of the straits has become a key issue at the international level. Possession of them is a long-standing dream of Russia. The Bosporus and Dardanelles opened up the possibility of dominating the most important sea lanes.

In 1841 an agreement was signed in London. It said that the passage through the Dardanelles to warships in peacetime would be closed. In 1936, in the city of Montreux (Switzerland), with the participation of the Black Sea countries, an agreement was concluded in which it was noted that the straits (Dardanelles and Bosphorus) receive the status of "open sea" for ships of all countries.

The main provision of the Convention is that the Republic of Turkey retains the right to close the straits during any hostilities in Eurasia. Since 2017, preparatory work has begun in Turkey on the construction of a suspension bridge across the Dardanelles.

Bridge 2025 meters long

Man-made structure with a length of 2,025 meters will be considered the most long bridge in the world. Now several specially equipped ships of the Turkish fleet have started drilling the sea soil to install the bearing elements of the bridge structure.

The construction of the Çanakkale-1915 bridge (as this structure will be called) should be completed by 2023. The name of the future bridge is associated with the victory of the military formations of the Ottoman Empire over the troops of the Entente countries in 1916 (Dardanelles operation).

In conclusion, we offer some interesting facts about the Bosphorus.

1. The shores of Europe and Asia were connected by an underground railway tunnel for the first time in the entire history of urban development. Part of it runs along the bottom of the Bosphorus Strait.
2. This project was proposed by architects during the Ottoman Empire, but it could only be implemented in our time, using modern technologies.
3. During the construction of the railway track, the Byzantine port of the 4th century BC was discovered.
4. The Bosphorus is considered the narrowest strait in the world, which is used sea ​​ships to travel from Europe to Asia and vice versa.
5. The width of the Bosphorus Strait is 800–1,700 meters. Average depth 65–70 meters.

Dardanelles. Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Dardanelles.

1. In 1810, the English poet George Byron swam across the Dardanelles, and thus repeated the feat of the ancient Greek hero Leander, who every night crossed the strait to meet his beloved Hera, who lived on the opposite shore. In 2010, in honor of this event, a mass swim took place along the poet's route with a length of 1.7 km, and taking into account drift downstream - 5 km.
2. During World War II, Turkey did not enter into hostilities (neutrality). At this time, the Dardanelles was closed to all warring countries.
3. The Turkish government is calling for a revision of the agreement signed at Monre in 1936.
4. This is due to an increase in recent times accidents of tankers with oil products, which, in case of damage to the ship, pollute the waters of the strait.
5. In 2011, Turkish archaeologist Rastim Aslan, during excavations on the territory of the ancient city of Kanakkale, discovered a settlement at the bottom of the strait that existed about 5 thousand years ago.
6. The banks of the Dardanelles have a steep, winding relief. Geologists explain this by the fact that in ancient times there was a riverbed at the site of the strait, which was flooded by the waters of the Aegean Sea as a result of the lowering of part of the land, relative to the level of the Earth's water shell.

Traveling through different countries, every tourist wants to see the most Beautiful places and breathtaking landscapes. Rest in this case will be memorable. One of the most popular tourist countries is Turkey. There are many attractions here. However, the Bosphorus in Istanbul deserves special attention. What a walk awaits travelers along this magnificent strait, Interesting Facts and reviews - all this will be discussed further.

general description

If one of these names is mentioned, the second immediately pops up in memory. Istanbul is ancient capital three empires. These are such powerful states as Byzantium, Ancient Rome as well as the Ottoman Empire. This city stands at the turn of the east and Western civilizations. Their culture and color are inextricably linked and intricately intertwined here.

To plunge into the special atmosphere of this ancient city, you should definitely go for a walk along the Bosphorus. In Istanbul, this is the main water artery. It is both the heart of the city and its main symbol. This strait holds many secrets.

Cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, you can feel how the city depends on this waterway. He draws from it not only physical, but also spiritual strength. So ancient city and the strait are one. They live for many years, merging inextricably into a single whole. A tourist who comes to this country should definitely go on a trip along the most beautiful strait, which is the Bosphorus. There is an ancient legend about its appearance.

According to legend, the strait that now separates Europe from Asia appeared in time immemorial. Its name is symbolic. The legend says that the lawful wife of Zeus, Hera, wanted to shed her anger on her husband's next beloved. Her name was Io. Zeus wanted to save her. So he turned Io into a white cow. So she managed to escape from Greece. Her path was directed precisely through this strait. Therefore, it was called the "cow's ford." In translation, this name sounds like the Bosphorus.

Geographic reference

A boat trip along the Bosphorus in Istanbul will be an unforgettable experience. This is a vast water artery, which, together with the Sea of ​​Marmara and the Dardanelles, divides modern Turkey into European and Asian parts. Its length is about 30 km. The width changes a lot. In some places, it reaches only 700 m. At its widest point, the strait has 6 km. The length and width of the Bosphorus is 2 times less than that of the Dardanelles. However, the beauty of this reservoir is amazing. In Turkey, it is called Istanbul Bogazy. It means "Istanbul Strait" in translation.

The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black and Marmara Seas. Through the Dardanelles, the reservoir communicates with the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Therefore, trade, oil ships and cruise, passenger liners regularly go through the strait.

The water in it is saline and desalinated. She moves across the strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of ​​Marmara. Further, the waters enter the Mediterranean Sea. This is a unique water system. The river valley is very old. It is flooded with water from the sea. At the same time, there are two opposite currents. The bottom carries salt water. The upper course is desalinated.

The view of the Bosphorus in Istanbul is so picturesque that tourists cannot resist taking pictures against the backdrop of this natural attraction. Boating is very popular here. At the same time, the history of the strait and its bridges is very interesting. This reservoir was formed for many decades.

First bridge

One of the main attractions is the Bosphorus Bridge. He has a long interesting story. There is another bridge here. It's more modern. It is called the Sultan Fatih Bridge. A third bridge was recently built across the Bosporus.

However, the history of the oldest communication across the reservoir deserves special attention. Attempts to connect the two sides of the strait were made by mankind several millennia ago. A similar enterprise has been dated to 490 BC. e. The Persian ruler Darius wished to cross the Bosporus. He wanted to transport his large army through this water barrier. However, this caused a number of problems.

To carry out his grandiose plans, Darius ordered a resident of Samos, whose name was Mandrocles, to build a temporary bridge here. The ancient engineer coped with the task assigned to him. He tied several thousand boats connected with ropes, a pontoon. It was a grand building for that time. It was of enormous size.

The bridge across the Bosphorus in Istanbul today, of course, is significantly different from the ancient structures. However, attempts by mankind to come up with a land crossing through the strait are impressive. On the first ancient pontoon bridge, an army of 70,000 fully equipped warriors was able to pass to the other side. The structure did not last long. People could only get to the other side by boat.

Subsequent projects

A bridge across the Bosphorus in Istanbul was necessary. This was clearly understood by the rulers of the past. They began to think seriously about the construction of such a message during the Russian-Turkish war (1877-1878). Projects of a similar design were created. However, construction was delayed. Only in 1931 was the construction of the bridge planned. Istanbul, once former capital Ottoman Empire, has now become a developed city. Its authorities sought to create new infrastructure. New residential areas and industrial facilities appeared. Under such conditions, the city badly needed the construction of a bridge.

During this period, many innovative projects for the industrialization of Istanbul were created. One of them was a plan to build the first transport route across the Bosphorus. It was a suspension bridge, an example for the construction of which was the construction in San Francisco. However, even at this time the project stopped at the development stage. It was never created.

bridge construction

Only in the 70s of the last century was the first modern communication between the two shores of the strait built. The first stone in the process of building the bridge was laid at the end of February 1970. The creation of this grand structure was entrusted to a Turkish firm and two foreign companies. These were construction organizations in Germany and England.

35 well-known highly qualified engineers, as well as 400 builders, worked on the creation of the bridge. The process dragged on for 3 years. The construction cost the Turkish government over $200 million. The opening of the first bridge was celebrated on 10/29/1073. This date coincided with the half-century anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

The length of the bridge across the Bosphorus (Istanbul) is such that it allowed the building to take 13th place in the ranking of similar buildings in the world. Its opening was a grand event. It was so important for the country that the President of the Republic Fahti Kortyuk personally came to the ceremony of celebrating this event. Prime Minister Mehmet Naim Talu also attended the opening of the bridge.

Bridge features

It should be said that other bridges across the Bosphorus were subsequently built. But the first building turned out to be the most grandiose. Its throughput remains the largest today. More than 200 thousand cars pass through it daily. During this time, more than 600 thousand passengers are transported through the bridge. The length of the bridge is 1560 m, and the main span is 1074 m. The width of this grand structure is 33 m. The distance from the water to the roadway is 64 m. The height of the bridge over the Bosphorus in Istanbul is 165 m. This distance is determined in highest point structures.

There is a toll on the bridge today. Pedestrians are not allowed here. The bridge can only be crossed by public transport.

Together with the construction of this great bridge, the goal of not only the Turkish government, but also many residents and visitors of this country was achieved. The great rulers of Antiquity could only dream of building such a large-scale facility. Modern technologies have made it possible to translate the plans hatched over the years into reality.

The bridge allows you to get from one part of the world to another in a few minutes. Since the strait had not seen such structures before, the structure was called the first Bosphorus bridge. It has 3 lanes for vehicles to move in both directions. One of them is reserved for emergency services. This is not only unique, but also the most beautiful design of the strait.

Bridges

The Bosphorus in Istanbul today has several bridges and tunnels. They are designed to move different kind transport. The first Bosphorus Bridge was renamed in 2016. Today it is called the Bridge of the Martyrs on June 15th. This decision was made in order to honor the memory of the victims who died as a result of the coup attempt.

The second bridge is also functioning now. It is called Fatih Sultan Bridge. This structure was built at the narrowest point of the strait. Here the reservoir has a width of only 660 m. This message was opened in 1988. The event was timed to coincide with the conquest of Istanbul, which took place 535 years ago. The length of this bridge is 1510 m. But the width of this structure is greater than that of the previous building. It is 39 m. The height of the roadway is at a height of 64 m above the water level.

Tourists say that these bridges are worth seeing in the evening. They are especially beautiful at night. Bridges are illuminated by a huge number of light bulbs. This gives them a special romantic charm and charm.

Relatively recently, a decision was made to build a third bridge across the Bosphorus. It is called the Bridge of Sultan Selim the Terrible. The construction started in 2013. The structure was erected in 2016. The opening of the movement took place on August 26, 2016. This structure is located north of Istanbul. The building was renamed in 2017. Now it is called the Bridge of Sultan Selim Yavuz. It is part of the Northern Marmari ring road.

The design is combined. One part of it is supported by shrouds, and the other by shrouds and cables. In the middle, the bridge is suspended on cables. It is the widest suspension bridge in the world. There are only 8 lanes for traffic here. There are also 2 tracks for the movement of trains. The height of the pylons is also a record. It is 322 m.

Tunnels

The Bosphorus in Istanbul also provides communication between the shores through tunnels. The first of them is called "Marmary". This is railway communication, which passes in a tunnel under water. Its construction began in 2004. The opening of the tunnel took place on October 29, 2013.

The length of the Marmari Tunnel is 9.8 km. The underwater part is 1.4 km. The tunnel is located at different depths. Railroad vehicles pass through here. At its deepest point, the tunnel is 60 km from the surface.

The second no less important message today is the Eurasian Tunnel. It was opened on 12/20/2016. Its length is inferior to the first tunnel. It reaches 5.4 km. Directly under the Bosphorus lies 3.34 km of this message. If we take into account the length of the access roads, then the Eurasian tunnel is longer than the Marmariy. Its total length is 14.6 km.

The Eurasian tunnel lies at a depth of 106 km. This tunnel is designed for bus and road transport. Freight transport is not allowed here.

Attractions

Tours on the Bosphorus in Istanbul involve visiting various attractions. You can go for a walk by public transport (vapurs). Also, cruise ships, pleasure boats and yachts, steamers constantly circulate on the water surface. Huge tourist ships also come here.

Walking along the Bosphorus in Istanbul will be unforgettable. On one of the pleasure boats you can see both of its banks. The population density here is quite high. You can make a route yourself, based on the schedule of city ships.

One of the places frequently visited by tourists is the Maiden's Tower. It is located on a small island. Here the strait connects with the marble sea. Palace complexes, luxurious villas of the Ottoman Empire are located almost at the water's edge. Today these are the most luxurious hotels in Istanbul.

In the narrowest part of the strait, two fortresses stand opposite each other on both sides. These are Rumeli Hisari and Anadolu Hisari. The architecture is mesmerizing. Numerous tourists like to enjoy spectacular landscapes.

Halic bay

A walk along the Bosphorus in Istanbul is recommended to be supplemented with a visit to the Golden Horn Bay. It is also called Halich. It is located on the European part of the strait. Here once existed great city antiquity Byzantium. It was also the capital of the Roman Empire. The city was also called Constantinople.

A favorite place for tourists here is fishing boats, which cook freshly caught fish. Balyk-ekmek is a local delicacy. This is red mullet served with bread. Fried anchovy is also popular among tourists.

Having considered the features and attractions of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, you can go on a trip along this magnificent strait. This time will be pleasant and unforgettable.