The Bosporus

The Bosphorus, in Istanbul

The Bosphorus is the mythical strait of Istanbul, that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and separates Europe from Asia. The Istanbul audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this passage coveted since the dawn of time, key to Mediterranean commerce, whose name would mean in Greek "the passage of the cow", and that you discover ideally during a cruise between the two continents.

History

From here, you have an unobstructed view of the Bosphorus. Closely linked to the evolution of Istanbul, this strait has been coveted since the dawn of time: who controls the Bosphorus, as well as the Dardanelles on the other side of the Sea of Marmara, holds the grip on commerce in the Mediterranean. The Bosphorus links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and separates Europe from Asia. The legend tells that its name comes from ancient Greek and would mean "the passage of the cow": Io, daughter of the river god, had become the mistress of Zeus, who gave her appointments by changing into a cloud; surprised by Hera, the wife of Zeus, the god changed Io into a cow, but Hera, not fooled, sent a gadfly to sting the beast incessantly, that fled by crossing the strait. In any case, and despite the rise of air traffic, the Bosphorus remains an obligatory passage between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, seeing pass each year about five thousand cargo ships, as well as numerous cruise boats. To do a cruise on the Bosphorus is moreover one of the finest ways to discover Istanbul.

What to see

Here you contemplate the mythical strait of the Bosphorus, that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and separates Europe from Asia; coveted since always for its key to Mediterranean commerce, rich in legends, it sees pass cargo ships and cruise boats. A cruise on the Bosphorus is one of the finest ways to discover Istanbul. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Bosphorus crosses Istanbul, separating the European bank from the Asian bank, and is admired from the quays and the bridges, reachable on foot. Numerous cruises are offered from Eminönü and Karaköy, according to hours that vary. It is best to enquire before coming.

Why is the Bosphorus so important for Istanbul?

Because this strait links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and separates Europe from Asia: who controls it, with the Dardanelles, holds the key to Mediterranean commerce, which makes it a passage coveted since the dawn of time; still today, about five thousand cargo ships take it each year, and the cruise is one of the finest ways to see the city.

Where to admire the Bosphorus in Istanbul?

From the quays and bridges of Istanbul, or by cruise between the European and Asian banks, in Turkey.