About the Bosphorus

For many years the Bosphorus has been the symbol of Istanbul and the concentration of numerous legends. Its image became an essential part of the mystery and beauty of Istanbul and the whole Turkey.

“Cow Ford”

This is the translation of “Bosphorus” from ancient-Greek. In connection with this name there is a legend about a girls – priestess Io and Zeus. According to it, Zeus had sinned with her and turned her into a white cow in order to protect her from the anger of his wife Hera. But it didn’t stop the angry Hera, and she sent gadflies to poor Io. The gadflies were stinging the cow and she was trying to escape them. The only place to hide was Kadikoy district in the Asian part of Istanbul. But in order to get there she had to swim across the strait, which was named after this legend – the Bosphorus, it means “Cow ford”.

And the story had a good end – Io moved to Egypt, returned her human aspect and found her beloved – Zeus.

The bridge across the Bosphorus

The first bridge across the Bosphorus was built by Persian ruler Darius in the 4th century BC. The temporary bridge consisted of rafts, thrown from one ship to another and served as the ford across the strait for his army.
The modern bridge – one of the most famous bridges of the world is Ataturk bridge, it was inaugurated on October, 29, 1973 – by the solemn date of Turkish Republic establishment. The building is really immense – 1560 meters in height and 33 meters in width, the bridge towers above the sea on the height of 64 meters. Moreover, the construction of the bridge across the Bosphorus is, probably, the brightest event for the whole existence of the strait, because this bridge was the first one to unite Europe with Asia! It’s not a surprise that passing this wonder of architecture and history is chargeable.

The fortresses of the Bosphorus

Near the narrowest point of the Bosphorus at the littoral road the walls of Rumeli and Anadolu fortresses raise. Their history deserves a separate tale.
Rumeli fortress was built in 1452 by sultan Mehmed the Conqueror with the purpose of seizing Constantinople. Opposite it there is Anadolu fortress situated, which was built 60 years earlier by Beyazit. For the construction of Rumeli fortress the best masons and carpenters from the whole empire were invited. The stone for its construction was brought from Anantolia. Today Rumeli and Anadolu fortresses are the architectural property of Istanbul and embellish the Bosphorus coast with its ancient walls.