What is the name of the strait in Istanbul? Bosphorus Strait: description, features, interesting facts and location. Strait of discord: what could blackmailing Russia with the Bosphorus mean for Turkey?
The Bosphorus is a strait between Europe and Asia Minor, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. Paired with the Dardanelles, it connects the Black Sea with the Aegean, which is part of the Mediterranean. The largest Turkish city, Istanbul, is located on both sides of the strait. The length of the strait is about 30 km. The maximum width of the strait is 3700 m (in the north), the minimum is 700 meters. The depth of the fairway is from 33 to 80 m. The strait is of erosive origin; is an old river valley flooded by sea water during the Quaternary period. There are two currents in the Bosphorus - the desalinated upper one from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea, to the south (speed 1.5-2 m/s) and the salty lower one - from the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea, as was established by Admiral Makarov in 1881-1882 (speed 0. 9-1 m/s). The salty current continues in the Black Sea as an underwater river. According to one of the most widespread 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 to avoid the wrath of his wife Hera. Unhappy Io chose the water route to salvation, diving into the blue of the strait, which has since been called the “cow ford” or the Bosporus.
The banks of the strait are connected by three bridges: two road bridges - the Bosphorus Bridge with a main span of 1074 meters (completed in 1973) and the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge (1090 m; built in 1988) 5 km north of the first bridge, as well as a road-railway bridge Sultan Selim the Terrible (1408 m; completed in 2016) in the northern part of the strait, on the Black Sea coast. In addition, the two banks of the Bosphorus are connected by the Marmaray railway tunnel (total length - 13.6 km, under water - 1.4 km; opened in 2013), which united the high-speed transport systems of the European and Asian parts of Istanbul.
It is assumed (the Black Sea flood theory) that the Bosphorus was formed only 7500-5000 years ago. Previously, the level of the Black and Marmara seas was significantly lower, and they were not connected. At the end of the last ice age, as a result of the melting of large masses of ice and snow, the water level in both reservoirs rose sharply. A powerful stream of water made its way from one sea to another in just a matter of days - this is evidenced by the bottom topography and other signs.
The ancient Greeks also called the strait the “Thracian Bosporus” to distinguish it from the “Cimmerian Bosporus” (the modern name is the Kerch Strait).
The Bosphorus is one of the most important straits, as it provides access to the Mediterranean Sea and the world's oceans in large parts of Russia, Ukraine, Transcaucasia and southeastern Europe. In addition to agricultural and industrial products, oil from Russia and the Caspian region plays a large role in exports through the Bosphorus.
In the winters of 1621-1669, the strait was covered with ice. These times were characterized by a general decrease in temperature in the region and were called the Little Ice Age.
The Bosphorus Strait occupies a special place among the famous most difficult straits in the world due to the intense traffic of transit ships, ferry crossings, small ships, currents of up to 6 knots and sudden weather changes in the autumn-winter period. Many shipping companies recommend that captains use pilots for transit passage of the Bosphorus Strait. Transit speed in the strait should be no more than 10 knots. For passage through the straits, a lighthouse fee of about one thousand dollars is charged, depending on the class of the vessel.
Information
- Binds: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara
- A country: Türkiye
- Width: maximum 3.6 km
- Length: 29.9 km
- Greatest depth: 120 m
The Bosphorus Strait on the map divides Europe with Asia and connects the Black and Marmara Seas. The largest Turkish metropolis, Istanbul (ancient Constantinople), stretches along both its banks.
The width of the Bosphorus Strait is more than 3.7 km, and the length is about 30 km. The depth of the Bosphorus in the fairway is from 30 to 80 m. For several centuries this strait has been called the soul of Istanbul.
The ancient name of the Bosphorus Strait is cow or bull ford. According to legend, the daughter of the king and the god of rivers, whose name was Io, became the beloved of Hercules. But he was afraid that his wife Hera would be angry, so he turned the unfortunate Io into a cow, and she disappeared into the waters of the strait.
The Bosphorus Strait is the soul of Istanbul
This ancient city, by the very fact of its existence, divides and connects such different human civilizations of the West and the East: Rome and Byzantium, Europe and Asia, Christianity and Islam.
The greatness of Constantinople (Constantinople), its ancient temples and palaces are reflected in the waters of the Bosphorus. It juxtaposes the ruins of fortresses and modern skyscrapers of Istanbul, creating a truly unique spectacle.
Story
Scientists believe that the Bosphorus Strait appeared about eight thousand years ago. In those distant times, the water level in the Black and Marmara seas was much lower, and they were not connected to each other.
But during the massive melting of snow and ice at the end of the Ice Age, this level in the World Ocean in general, and in the Black and Marmara Seas in particular, rose significantly, and a huge flow of water connected them.
According to scientists, at first there was a river valley on the site of the Bosphorus Strait, which was later flooded with sea water. In the 19th century, Admiral Makarov established two currents in the strait: fresh from the Black Sea and salty from.
Archaeologists on the slopes of the Bosphorus in the 20th-21st centuries discovered ancient cities that were flooded thousands of years ago. Historians believe that the end of the last Ice Age and the appearance of the Bosphorus gave rise to the myth of the Great Flood, set out in the Old Testament.
What is the Bosphorus for Turkey? Thanks to this strait, the countries of the Black Sea region are provided with access to the Mediterranean Sea. Half of Turkey's GDP comes from the Bosphorus. This is its strategic and economic significance.
The Bosphorus Strait is considered one of the most difficult to navigate in the world, because... characterized by a high intensity of ships and vessels moving there, strong currents and rapid changes in weather conditions in winter and spring.
In Turkey, the fast current in the strait is called devilish. It usually accelerates especially at the beginning of spring, when the snow melts in the Danube basin. Melt water flows along the shores of the strait, seething and boiling in boilers in the narrowest places.
Today, the Turkish authorities are planning to solve the problem of the heavy congestion of the Bosphorus by building an oil pipeline about 100 km long. But all projects so far remain exclusively on paper.
Shores of the Bosphorus
Here, every city dweller can endlessly admire ancient marble palaces, stone fortresses, wooden Turkish yalis (mansions near the sea) and ultra-modern hotels.
Yali is a wooden multi-storey house built at the very edge of the sea. These buildings from the 17th century have survived to this day and today have become restaurants, hotels and houses where the local nobility live today.
To fully experience the beauty of this strait, you should travel on a tourist ship or ferry. You will surely get extraordinary pleasure from this walk.
Istanbul will open before you in all its beauty and oriental unusualness. And Russian tourists will certainly feel at the subconscious level the Byzantine essence of ancient Constantinople with its Christian traditions.
You will see how Istanbul lights up its lights among the ships and ferries of the Bosphorus. Hear the voices of the mullahs calling their flock to daily prayer at Hagia Sophia, which today is a mosque.
You can see all this from board a ferry, cruise ship or yacht from Eminonu to Anadolu Kavagi. At the end of the trip, you can go ashore, walk along it and return back using the same ticket.
Crossing the Bosphorus by ferry is a real adventure. Ferries in Istanbul are different: regular and tourist, expensive and cheap. You can cross the strait on a regular ferry in half an hour; a voyage on a tourist ferry will take much longer.
Exploring Istanbul and the Bosphorus by ferry or boat in the evening is the most exciting experience. It is at this time that the city and the strait, painted with a scarlet sunset, are the most mysterious and unusual.
Attractions near the Bosphorus Strait
Bosphorus Bay - Golden Horn
There are many bays in the Bosphorus, but the Golden Horn is considered the best. In its shape it really looks like a horn, and its banks are as winding as the shores of the Bosphorus. The Golden Horn has many excellent anchorages for yachts and ships, and the waters are clean and clear.
This bay is protected from strong winds; the mild Turkish winter comes here in December, and there is almost never snow. The best time to visit the Golden Horn is the velvet season, which lasts throughout the fall.
According to legend, the first bridge across the Bosphorus was erected by King Darius of Persia. He melted down his 700,000-strong army here using a system of rafts and ships. But this unique engineering structure did not help him; Darius’s army was destroyed by the Scythians.
Today, the banks of the Bosphorus and Istanbul, which lies on them, are connected by 3 bridges and 2 tunnels:
- Bosphorus Bridge, built in the early seventies of the 20th century;
- the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge, operating since the late eighties of the last century;
- the Sultan Selim the Terrible Bridge, commissioned just a few years ago;
- the Marmaray Tunnel, over 13 km long, connecting the Istanbul railway system;
- the Eurasia tunnel is more than 14 km long, part of which is located at a depth of more than 100 meters.
Bosphorus Strait on the world map.
Bosphorus(“Istanbul Strait”) is a strait between Europe and Asia Minor, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. On both sides of the strait stands the Turkish city of Istanbul. The strait provides access to the Mediterranean Sea and the seas of most of Russia, Ukraine, Transcaucasia and southeastern Europe.
Istanbul... The ancient capital of three mighty empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. A city that separates and at the same time unites Western and Eastern civilization and uniquely conveys the exquisite oriental flavor and culture of modern Europe.
Istanbul, a metropolis of 15 million inhabitants, dates back to the 7th century BC. And even in that distant time, when it was still called Byzantium, the city was a major port and center of maritime trade. This was facilitated by its strategically good location.
The magnificent city of Istanbul is located on the border of two continents, so the Bosphorus can rightly be called the heart of the city. The amazingly beautiful Bosphorus Strait enchants with its waters and contrasting shores. Next to fishing villages and modern skyscrapers, there are majestic palaces that perfectly reflect the fate of the city - a symbol of the interweaving of luxury and poverty, antiquity and modernity.
Bosphorus extends 30 kilometers in length, its maximum width is 3700 meters, its minimum is 700 meters, and the depth of the strait reaches 80 meters.
The mirror waters of the Bosphorus, betraying the charm of the old city, cannot be compared with anything else; they are in all possible shades of green, turquoise and blue. All the greatness and squalor of Constantinople is reflected in the sparkling surface of this strait. Summer residences and elegant palaces, which are scattered randomly along the banks, peacefully coexist with ramshackle villages inhabited by fishermen. Only occasionally the impression created by ancient buildings is destroyed by the steely shine of modern skyscrapers.
Map of the Bosphorus Strait in Russian
Sasha Mitrakhovich 21.10.2015 15:39
The Bosphorus is surrounded by many legends that have their own versions of the origin of the name of the strait. One of the most common is that the strait got its name thanks to the beautiful Io, which Zeus turned into a white cow. The unfortunate girl jumped into the water, which has since been called the “cow ford” or the Bosphorus.
The name of the Bosphorus Strait comes from two Greek words: “bull” and “passage” - “cow ford”, and the strait itself is closely connected with ancient Greek myths, one of which says that:
Zeus fell in love with Io, the priestess of Hera, who was the daughter of King Inachus. For this, the wife of the loving Zeus turned Io into a cow and sent a terrible hornet at her, from which Io tried in vain to escape. What helped her out was that she hid in the waters of the Bosphorus, which after that got its name - “cow ford”.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.10.2015 21:02
The Bosphorus Strait on the world map is located in the territory of modern Turkey and separates Europe and Asia, and Istanbul is located on both sides.
The Bosphorus Strait is a 30-kilometer winding crack connecting the Black Sea with and further, through, with the Mediterranean, has a depth of 30 to 80 meters, and its maximum width does not exceed 4 kilometers.
Bosphorus Strait on the World Map:
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.10.2015 21:11
The banks of the Bosphorus are connected by the Bosphorus Bridge, which is more than 1,000 meters long, and the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge, which is 1,090 meters long. It is also planned to build a third road bridge with a length of 1,275 meters.
If we turn to real, and not imaginary history, we can find out that the first to build a bridge across the strait was the Persian king Darius, who transported an army of seven hundred thousand across the Bosporus on a temporary bridge, which consisted of rafts thrown from ship to ship. As grandiose an undertaking as he accomplished in engineering terms, the campaign to the Scythian possessions itself was a mediocre failure. Without accepting a single battle, Darius lost his entire unimaginably huge army.
There are two bridges across the Bosphorus. The first of them is called Bosphorus. Since its completion in 1973, almost 200,000 vehicles pass through it every day from one continent to another. It is Istanbul's most famous landmark. The total length of this suspension bridge is 1560 meters.
The second bridge bears the name of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, it is also called the “Second Bosphorus Bridge”. The bridge was built near the Rumeli-Hisary fortress for the 535th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed Fatih, its length is slightly less - 1510 meters, it was completed in 1988. At the time when it began to be built, many said that the bridge could spoil the silhouette of the city and all the beauty of the Bosphorus. But, despite this, the bridge, built in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, among the great historical monuments, along with its mosques and palaces, was able to harmoniously fit into the convolutions of the surrounding hills.
Third Bosphorus Bridge(Sultan Selim the Terrible Bridge), the construction of which began in 2013, will cross the Bosphorus in its northern part, at the exit to the Black Sea. The bridge will combine two railway lines and eight car lanes at one level. Construction of the bridge is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015.
Monstrously huge, during the day they look like graceful thin threads stretched from one shore to another, and at night they shine under the starry sky with lights of all the colors of the rainbow.
Today's residents of Turkey are proud of their bridges across the strait.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.10.2015 21:13
Marmaray Tunnel under Bosphorus Strait. In the fall of 2013, a railway tunnel was opened along the bottom of the Bosphorus, connecting the two continents. Only four minutes on it - and the strait is crossed. And from the final station to the final station on the Marmaray line it takes 18 minutes, then you can change to the metro.
A tunnel was built to reduce the load on existing bridges across the Bosphorus and to reduce atmospheric gas pollution. During construction, engineers took special care of the safety of passengers; all possible measures were taken to ensure that the Marmaray tunnel was not damaged by tremors in this earthquake-prone area.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.10.2015 21:15
Beautiful panoramas do not cause satiety. On the shores of the strait there is a mixture of past and present, luxury and poverty: marble palaces adjoin the ruins of stone fortresses, modern hotels stand next to wooden yawls.
Since the end of the 17th century, during the Ottoman Empire, pashas, viziers and simply wealthy families built houses, mansions and palaces along the coast, where previously there was only a scattering of fishing villages. Then the architectural brainchild of the Bosphorus arose - the seaside mansion - yali. Translated from Turkish it means “house by the water”.
Usually it was a wooden house of several floors, standing at the very edge of the water. This tradition has survived to this day. Many ancient yawls that have survived to this day, after restoration, became restaurants, expensive boutique hotels and homes of the city elite.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.10.2015 21:19
There are many convenient bays in the strait. The most beautiful of which is. This bay, with its shape, resembled a horn, which is why in ancient times it was called “Horned Bay”. The shores of this bay are as winding as the shores of the Bosphorus, so the bay forms a convenient anchorage for large and small ships. There are no rivers at the mouth of this harbor, so the waters have always been clean and transparent.
In addition, the Golden Horn is reliably protected from the winds. Winter here begins no earlier than December, and snow on the Bosphorus is very rare. Autumn is quite long and is the best time to visit the strait.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.10.2015 21:20
The most common theory (the "Black Sea Flood Theory") states that the Bosporus Strait was formed around 5600 BC. as a result of the melting of large masses of ice and snow at the end of the last ice age, due to a sharp rise in water levels by 140 meters.
The level of the Black and Mediterranean Seas was then 120 m below the level of the World Ocean and there was no communication between the seas.
In just a matter of days, a powerful stream made its way from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea, which at that time was a freshwater lake.
This is indicated, in particular, by the bottom topography, as well as the change in aquatic plants and sedimentary rocks from freshwater to saltwater at approximately the time indicated above. Recent archaeological research has uncovered submerged cities on the underwater slopes of Turkey's Black Sea coast.
Most likely, it was the formation of the Bosphorus that became the reason for the emergence of the myth of the Flood and Noah's Ark. By the way, Mount Ararat is located relatively nearby, in Eastern Anatolia.
Another reason for the appearance of the strait could be an earthquake.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.10.2015 21:23
To fully experience the Bosphorus Strait, you need to take a fascinating cruise along the strait on board any tourist boat in the Karakoy quarter. A walk along the Bosphorus Strait is an indescribable pleasure. The whole of Istanbul with its inherent grandeur and pathos will appear before your eyes. Finding yourself on board a pleasure boat in the evening, you can try to look into the very soul of the “miracle of miracles” - the ancient Greek name for Constantinople.
The Bosphorus Strait has long attracted the attention of travelers and researchers. Having united Asia and Europe, it fills the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul with Eastern 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 morals arose on the shores of the stormy Bosphorus. A witness to great battles, changes of rulers, love stories, it still keeps many secrets that have yet to be discovered.
The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black and Marmara Seas
Bosphorus is translated from the Turkic language as “cow ford”. A beautiful legend says that the great Zeus fell madly in love with the daughter of King Inachus 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 seek salvation in the depths of the fabulous Bosphorus.
Now the strait: the world's main waterway. 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 and tourism center that unites countries and continents. The length of the waterway is 30 km, the width in some places reaches 4 km, and the depth up to 80 m.
The view of the strait from the plane is mesmerizing
The Bosphorus Strait is famous for its intense traffic of ships, boats, ferries and other water vehicles. The movement occurs against a backdrop of weather changes, especially in winter and autumn. This is what makes the Bosphorus interesting: unusual natural phenomena, massive shipping, and 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 -. Tourists have both long and short tours available; 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 on.
Bridges over the Bosphorus
It is impossible to imagine the magical Bosphorus without the majestic bridges connecting it. These are the business cards of Istanbul and all of Turkey. Back in the 6th century AD. Persian wars were transported across the sea barrier on a flooring laid on top of boats that were fastened together.
New technologies of the twentieth century made it possible to create truly monumental structures. There are three bridges in total across the Bosphorus, and each one has different technical features, design solutions and different time periods for their construction.
Bosphorus Bridge - Bridge of Martyrs July 15 (Boğaziçi Köprüsü - 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü)
Bosphorus Bridge
Istanbul needed modern crossings like air, however, political turmoil and lack of funds did not allow them to begin to be built. The first suspension bridge was conceived in drafts on paper back in the mid-twentieth century, but its construction began only at the beginning of 1970. In the fall of 1973, the bridge was inaugurated; the date was not chosen by chance; October 29 marked the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of M.K. Ataturk founded the Turkish Republic.
The design and construction of the monumental structure was entrusted to the German company Hochtief and the English company Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company. A building located in Northern England was chosen as a sample. Work began to boil: thousands of people worked on its construction, 23 million dollars were spent - a paltry amount for today.
View of the strait from the Bosphorus Bridge
What is the Bridge of the Martyrs of July 15? The structure is installed on only two supports, each 165 m high, so it seems that the bridge is floating above the Bosphorus. This height was not chosen by chance; ships have a maximum height of 60 m and can freely pass under the bridge. Its length: 1.5 km, width: 33 m, main span: 1 km 75 m, from the roadway to the water surface 64 m. It is estimated that the daily traffic flow of the bridge is more than 200 thousand cars, and the passenger flow is about 600 thousand people . You have to pay for the journey.
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 has changed its name several times; now the official name of the bridge is the Bridge of the Martyrs of July 15th. The new name was assigned by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the events called a coup in 2016, in honor of the fallen heroes for the freedom and independence of Turkey.
Bridge of Sultan Mehmet Fatih (Fatih Sultan Mehmet köprüsü)
Bridge of Sultan Mehmet Fatih (Fatih Sultan Mehmet köprüsü)
Istanbul, a city where all the religions of the world are mixed and their bright representatives are respected. The Second Bosphorus Bridge is named after Sultan Mehmed Fatih: a famous Ottoman conqueror who commanded the troops of his empire. Under him, the great Constantinople fell under the onslaught of the Turkish hordes.
Construction of the crossing began in 1985 in order to meet the significant date: 535 years of the conquest of the city by Ottoman troops. And on May 29, 1988, the bridge was inaugurated.
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 Darius once built his first pontoon crossing for his army. Thus, another path was laid connecting the European region of the metropolis Rumeli Hisarı with the Asian part of Anadolu Hisarı.
The length of the structure is 1.5 km, of which a little more than 1 km is a suspended structure, the width is 39 m. This is one of the largest bridges in the world. It, like the Bridge of the Martyrs of July 15, is supported by two huge supports, the height of which is 65 m. You have to pay to travel across it, it is closed to pedestrians, the traffic flow is 150 thousand cars a day.
The cost of crossing the bridge for passenger cars is 7 Turkish lira.
Bridge of Sultan Selim Yavuz (Yavuz Sultan Selim köprüsü)
Bridge of Sultan Selim Yavuz (Yavuz Sultan Selim köprüsü)
Modern construction technologies have made it possible to relieve traffic flows in Istanbul. For the 15 million inhabitants 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 did not betray themselves when deciding to select 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 construction cost has increased significantly: they spent $3 billion.
In order not to disturb the overall picture, the Sultan Selim Yavuz Bridge was also made suspended. Its length is 2 km 164 m, the suspended part is 1 km 400 m, the width is 59 m, the height of each support is 322 m. It connected the northern regions of Pashaköy 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 cost of crossing the bridge for passenger cars is 11.95 Turkish lira.
Transport tunnels under the Bosphorus Strait
The rapid development of Istanbul and its environs, population growth, increasing tourist flows and the transformation of the Bosphorus Strait into one of the world's main waterways, forced us to look for new transport routes. The tunnels have become an excellent addition, partially relieving the heavy traffic of Istanbul and reducing air pollution in the metropolis.
Marmaray underwater railway tunnel
Marmaray railway tunnel
The development of new technologies made it possible to implement a bold project. Construction of the tunnel began in 2004, and was delayed, as designers and builders thought through every detail, taking care of the safety of passengers, and most importantly, seismic adaptability. In addition, during the work, historical values were discovered that were hidden under the thickness of the earth. The project had to be quickly changed, which took a lot of time. A section of the route was opened only in 2013 instead of the planned 2009; in 2015, the second section began work, thus the tunnel was fully operational. Marmaray is the first railway in Istanbul, connecting the European and Asian regions of the city.
Marmaray received its name by combining two concepts (Marmara - Sea of Marmara) and (rail - rail). The length of the tunnel is 13.6 km, of which the deep drilling part is 9.8 km, part of the path of 1.4 km lies under water, the deepest section of the tunnel is 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
Magnificent views of the Bosphorus can be enjoyed from the bar on the 14th floor, as well as from the Bosphorus suite, executive king room and executive room.
Yildiz Park is a 15-minute walk away, and Besiktas Marina is a 14-minute walk, from where you can take a ferry and stroll along Bahariye Street, or take a trip on the.
Accommodation costs from 500 liras/day.
Renaissance Istanbul Polat Bosphorus Hotel
Renaissance Hotel offers several types of rooms with Bosphorus views
A stunning view of the Bosphorus can be seen not only from the terrace bar on the top floor, but also from the hotel rooms. You can watch sunrises and sunsets in all their glory from the room window.
This is a fairly modern and comfortable hotel with a good location.
Near the hotel there is a Darphane stop, from here you can take buses 29C, 29D, 41E, 62 or 63 7 stops to Fındıklı (Fındıklı), then walk a minute to the T1 tram stop Nut Mimar Sinan University and go straight to Sultanahmet.
Cost of living from 220/day.
Deep Hotel
Breakfast on the balcony of the Deep Hotel
The hotel is located in the Besiktas district, on the slope of the Portakal Yokuşu hill, which is why some hotel rooms offer not only a beautiful city panorama, but also the Bosphorus.
The hotel is small, there are several accommodation options: small room, standard, deluxe and suite.
Accommodation costs from 200 liras/day.
What to look for when booking a hotel
The vast majority of tourists, when choosing a hotel, read reviews before traveling and look at photos of rooms. Now that many people share their impressions and reviews, choosing a place to stay for the duration of the trip has become easier. I would like to remind you of some nuances that can be overlooked when choosing a hotel.
View from a room at the Shangri-La Bosphorus Hotel
- When talking about viewing photos of hotel rooms, you should first of all pay attention to those posted by tourists themselves, because such photos, as a rule, are not beautiful. Also pay attention to the size of the room, because in the photo it may seem larger than in reality.
- It is worth looking on the map where the hotel you are interested in is located and whether there are public transport, metro or tram stops near it, and whether it is easy to get to the historical center of Sultanahmet. After all, if you want to save money, and the hotel has a bad location, you will have to spend money on a taxi. Public transport is very well developed in Istanbul and it is quite comfortable (as comfortable as public transport can be in principle), so where possible, feel free to use trams, metro, ferries and buses.
- If you are traveling to Istanbul during 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 travel, because if the hotel disappoints you or you absolutely do not like it, you can easily move to another place the next day or the day after. Lately I have been doing just this, because in winter, late autumn or early spring there is a very large selection of hotels and available rooms.
- Hotel prices may vary between sites - hotel sites tend to be more expensive. Online booking systems offer various discounts and 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 breakfast, 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, make sure that there are busy streets with various cafes nearby - this will help you out in case of unsatisfactory food at the hotel.
- Since we are talking about hotels with a view of the Bosphorus, you need to understand that not all rooms have a view of the strait: in some places it is a view from afar or the sea is partially visible. In hotels located far from the coastline, you should choose higher floors.
When you have definitely decided that you want to stay in a hotel overlooking the Bosphorus Strait, 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 conditions and rules so that your trip is not overshadowed by accommodation issues.
You can use the search form and start choosing options - to do this, enter the desired dates, city or specific hotel and start choosing.
We wish you new experiences and pleasant travels!
The length of the strait is 61 kilometers, width - from 1.2 to 6 kilometers. The second bridge over the Bosphorus (Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge) was built at a place where the width of the strait is minimal (660 m). The official opening of the bridge took place in 1988, on the 535th anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul. The strait connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, otherwise the Strait of Constantinople. Istanbul. Türkiye. For some reason, these magnificent mammals avoided swimming into the waters of the strait for a long time.
The strait is of erosive origin; is an old river valley flooded by sea water during the Quaternary period. It is assumed (the Black Sea flood theory) that the Bosphorus was formed only 7500-5000 years ago. Previously, the level of the Black and Mediterranean seas was significantly lower, and they were not connected. The Bosphorus is one of the most important straits, as it provides access to the Mediterranean Sea and the world's oceans in large parts of Russia, Ukraine, Transcaucasia and southeastern Europe.
In the winters of 1621-1669, the strait was covered with ice. These times were characterized by a general decrease in temperature in the region and were called the Little Ice Age. Many shipping companies recommend that captains use pilots for transit passage of the Bosphorus Strait. On October 29, 2013, the Marmaray railway tunnel under the Bosphorus was opened, connecting the European and Asian parts of Istanbul.
The depth of the fairway is from 36 to 124 m. The historical city of Constantinople, now Istanbul, is located on both sides of the Bosphorus. The strait between the European Gallipoli Peninsula and northwestern Asia Minor. It connects the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean. Subject to prior notification to the Turkish authorities, the Black Sea powers can conduct their warships of any class through the straits in peacetime.
Bridges and tunnel across the Bosphorus Strait
In Turkish the strait is called IstanbulBogazi (Strait of Istanbul). The Bosphorus is unique in many respects - it is an old river valley, which is flooded with sea water and has two oppositely directed currents: the desalinated upper and salty lower.
The population density on both banks of the Bosphorus is high. The Maiden's Tower is located on a small rocky island exactly where the Bosphorus connects with the Sea of Marmara. The Maiden Tower is located closer to the Asian coast of Istanbul. Many hotels in Istanbul have rooms or luxurious terraces overlooking the Bosphorus, but not many are located directly on the shore. Bosphorus hotels located on the shores of the strait are mainly located in the Besiktas district of Istanbul.
Istanbul, a metropolis of 15 million inhabitants, dates back to the 7th century BC. And even in that distant time, when it was still called Byzantium, the city was a major port and center of maritime trade. There are two bridges across the Bosphorus. The first of them is called Bosphorus. It is Istanbul's most famous landmark. In the fall of 2013, a railway tunnel was opened along the bottom of the Bosphorus, connecting the two continents.
Now the strait has international status. According to statistics from the Turkish Maritime Pilots Association, approximately 155 ships pass through the Istanbul Bosphorus Strait every day. Of these, 28 vessels are tankers, six of them have a total length of more than 200 meters. But on the coast, on both sides, crowded settlements huddle close to the strait, and the huge city itself is spread out on the banks of the Bosphorus.
And now tankers four times larger than those to Nassia regularly ply through the Turkish straits. Certainly. Way out in the construction of pipelines bypassing the Turkish straits. Türkiye is extremely interested in such projects and is making significant efforts to implement them.
After all, without a traditional and unforgettable trip along it, a stay in Istanbul cannot be considered complete. Fishing has been the livelihood of the coastal Greek, Turkish and even Albanian settlements along the strait for centuries. The Bosphorus is something special. Your texts are very lively and turned out to be the most useful among a lot of information that I had to re-read while working on the topic of the Bosphorus Strait.
For example, the last passage of the text could be something like this: And suddenly, among the sunbeams dancing on the water, several dolphins unexpectedly jumped out with their fins shining in the sun. Ecologists explained their disappearance by the abundance of ships, but now the dolphins have returned and, moreover, have ceased to be rare!
Where is the Bosphorus Strait on the world map
I read it without stopping, now I especially wanted to visit Istanbul, to breathe the fresh breeze, as you rightly noted, from the Bosphorus Strait. This is what Orhan Pamuk writes about the Bosphorus in his book “Istanbul. For the time being, only Greek fishing villages were located on the banks of the Bosphorus; but starting from the 18th century, yawls began to be built here for representatives of the highest circles of the Ottoman Empire.” There are several routes along the Bosphorus.
It was built in 1970, its length is 1560 meters, width 33 meters, height above sea level 64 meters. The bridge is only for transport and is closed to pedestrians. Ortakoy Mosque (XIX century) in the neo-Baroque style.
Strait of discord: what could blackmailing Russia with the Bosphorus mean for Turkey?
The Rumel Fortress was built in 1452 by Sultans Mehmed the Conqueror at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus opposite the Anadoluhisar fortress, built by Mehmed's grandfather. On the Asian side, you can admire private houses with piers - this is some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Bosphorus.
Ferries in Istanbul
And alarming news from the Bosphorus did not take long to arrive. So, the day before, a number of media outlets reported that the Turkish Coast Guard somehow unexpectedly began training in the Sea of Marmara. True, in 1994 Türkiye adopted its own so-called Regulations for navigation in the straits. Nevertheless, experts consider the prospects for a real blockade of the straits for the Russian military and civilian fleet to be unlikely.
Closing the straits is a direct approach to conflict in the military sphere, emphasizes Nikolai Topornin. Russia will never allow someone to simply close international straits at will, in violation of international conventions. By the way, the expert’s opinion is confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Thus, the US permanent representative to the Alliance, Lieutenant General Douglas Lewt, emphasized that so far he has not seen any signs that Turkey intends to limit shipping through the straits in any way.
The Bosphorus Strait was closed to shipping for a week, causing damage estimated at $1 billion. Connecting Europe and Asia, the Bosphorus Strait moves desalinated-salty waters from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea, and further to the Mediterranean. BOSPHOROUS - Greek, from bus, bull, and poros, moving. Rumeli Hisar. Bosphorus. Both banks of the Bosphorus are connected by two suspension bridges.