Golden Horn

Experience The History and Beauty of The Golden Horn

Any visitor to Istanbul will no doubt know what the Golden Horn is without actually realising it. This is the iconic skyline, the point where the mosque minarets reach high into the sky, the glittering waters of the Bosphorus lap against the shores, the Sea of Marmara waits to one side, with the architectural wonder of the Galata Bridge on the other. In the distance you can see Fatih, to the shore line you can see fish restaurants, and eager locals fishing from the bridge itself. The whole vibe is busy, frenetic, yet so beautifully calm all at the same time.

There really is no better place in this huge and iconic city than the Golden Horn.

Called ‘Halic’ in Turkish, the Golden Horn could be described as a fjord in many ways, as it is the part of the city which is works as a natural harbour. It is shaped like a horn, hence its name, and this is where you will find some of the oldest structures and history in the city itself. The ‘golden’ part of the name will be very evident to you when the sun sets – the most stunning and glittering golden hue casts itself over the entire skyline, proving to be a picture you will need to capture on your camera to relive time and time again.

Put simply, this is not a history part of Istanbul, but a truly beautiful one too.

The History of The Golden Horn

Back in the day, both Ottoman and Byzantine ships docked in this very place, and it was a vital and strategic trading harbour throughout the time. In order to stop random ships docking there, a huge chain surrounded the area, keeping it firmly for those who needed it. This part of the city was also a very residential area during the Ottoman Empire, but also v very international one, with Spanish Jews, Armenians, Greeks, and even gypsies living in the old houses which overlooked the water. Even today, you’ll still feel a very international and cultural feel around the area.

Throughout history, the Golden Horn has gone from being a place of natural beauty, with tulip gardens and green spaces, to an industrial area, with factories and industrial regions. However, during the modern day, the 1980s in fact, a huge clean up operation occurred, and nowadays you can walk along the Golden Horn, taking in the stunning beauty, to your heart’s content. You’ll find promenades, green spaces, and playgrounds, even though there is a distinct smell of fish in the area, from the locals casting their nets over the neighbouring Galata bridge!

Speaking of the Galata Bridge, this wasn’t built until 1836, linking Karakoy to Eminonu. The bridge has undergone several restoration and rebuilds, with the last one taking place in 1993. There are actually two other bridge which span over the Golden Horn, the Unkapani Bridge and the Halic Bridge. These work to link traffic from both sides of the Golden Horn, but further upstream.

Golden Horn Neighbourhoods

Right on the shores of the water you will find vibrant Eminonu. You simply have to visit here, if not for anything else but the fish sandwiches! They are simply divine and extremely fresh. Fener is another neighbourhood worth visiting, as well as Balat. Here you will find old wooden residential houses which are typical of the Ottoman era, as well as churches from the Byzantine era, and a few synagogues which belong to the Jewish residents from many years ago.

As you travel further up the Golden Horn, you will come to Eyup. This is an extremely old and very important neighbourhood. You can catch the cable car up from here, and head up to Pierre Loti Hill, to get the most stunning overview of the Golden Horn, but from a religious point of view, Eyup is the site of the tomb of Eyub El Ensari, linked to the Prophet Muhammad.

However you choose to visit the Golden Horn, whether you go on a boat trip and look around, you venture on foot, or you head up to the top of Pierre Loti Hill and take it all in as a panorama, this is certainly one of the most stunning sights you’ll ever set your eyes on. You don’t even have to know about the history beforehand, as it oozes from every square inch. The beauty alone is enough to send even the most experienced photographer, into clicking overdrive!