The Golden Horn is a historical inlet dividing Istanbul into two parts and forming an excelent natural and extremely secure harbor since thousands of years. In the develepments of city the harbor played very important role. The inlet has a horn shape but the designation of “golden” in not known, probably because of the color the water get “golden” before sundown. The Golden Horn is about 8 kilometers long and about 35 meters deep very close to the Bosphorus. At its far end of Golden Horn two streams drain into this inlet. During Byzantine period a chain at the entrance to the gulf prevented unwanted fleets entry in to the Golden Horn. Along the seashore, walls were constructed to protect the city from naval attacks.

In Ottoman period after the city was conquered by Mehmet II Greeks, Jews, Italians and other non-muslims were living along the Golden Horn in Fener and Balat districts.

In recent years, over four thousand buildings on the shores of the Golden Horn have been demolished, the businesses moved to new centers outside the city, the shores turned into parks and gardens, and wastewater treatment plants involving vast canal systems and collectors constructed.

The Golden Horn today spanned by four bridges: Galata Bridge (replaced with Old Galata Bridge), Unkapani Bridge (Ataturk bridge), Old Galata Bridge and Halic Bridge. A fifth bridge is currently under construction to connect the subway lines to connect both side of Golden Horn.

Golden Horn on Google Maps

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