The Bosphorus

Today you are in for a treat….no walking in the heat, just a relaxing boat trip along the Bosphorus looking at historical buildings. Ready, hat , sunscreen? Let’s go.

We are starting on the European side of the area they call the Golden Horn opposite the Asian side.

Each Sultan, when they came to power built a palace for their family, servants and visitors. It was a status symbol designed to impress. Many of these have now become hotels and museums ( they are huge covering not one but many buildings.

The gates are supposed to be exceptionally beautiful.

The waterway has always been busy and it has not changed. There are ferries, container ships and pleasure crafts like yachts, cruise ships etc.

Because it was of commercial importance, the entrance to the waterway was protected by fortresses on either side, There are remnants of these today. One is Rumeli Castle on the Asian side

A few more historical buildings.

Fishing, swimming ad just enjoying the sights are all popular activities here. It is school holidays at present so there were many boys enjoying cooling off and daring each other to jump from the top of the side rather than use a ladder. No , there were no girls swimming.
The fisherman use lines with multiple hooks to catch small fish.

Well one more historical sight, a bit of retail therapy on the upmarket Asian side or perhaps a Turkish coffee and then back to the  mooring.

This is the Maiden’s Tower. The story goes that a Sultan was warned his daughter would die on her 18th Birthday. He built and put her in this tower and showered her with gifts. On her 18th he sent her a basket of fruit and there was something in it that caused her to die. Probably it was a watch tower but the story is fun.

ps. I did succumb to retail therapy and bought some leather caps…..and the Turkish coffee was great too. Last day in Istanbul tomorrow.