Friends, we are back in Istanbul once again. Today, I’ll show you some photos of the famous Galata Bridge. This crossing cannot be called luxurious or elegant, but its prime location has made it one of the city’s most renowned tourist attractions.
History of the Galata Bridges
The need for a bridge connecting the two major districts of the city was evident since ancient times. The first ancient bridges connected the shores of the Golden Horn during the reign of Emperor Justinian. These crossings were destroyed during the Fourth Crusade. In the 16th century, projects for a bridge were presented to the sultan by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, but the construction never materialized at the time.
The first permanent Galata Bridge was constructed in 1845. It was later replaced by bridges built in 1863, 1875, and 1912. The latter served for 80 years. Shortly before it was to be decommissioned, the bridge was damaged by fire. The structure was moved upstream and repaired, but in 2016, the old Galata Bridge, often called the most elegant of all its versions, was completely dismantled.
The modern Galata Bridge was built in the early 1990s. It is a two-level structure, with the upper level accommodating automobile, tram, and pedestrian traffic, while the lower level houses restaurants. The bridge is memorable to many travelers for its abundance of fishermen with their rods. On the lower level, I frequently came across numerous Istanbul cats attempting to steal the catch from the Galata anglers.
Guidebooks often state that the Galata Bridge gave its name to the card game bridge. In a bridge guide published in the early 20th century, it was written that the game was invented by British soldiers stationed in this area. They would meet daily at a coffee shop, the route to which crossed the Galata Bridge. When asked to choose a name for the game, they settled on the word "bridge." However, I’ve come across alternative versions of the origin of this name.
After the construction of the latest Galata Bridge, another crossing, the Haliç Metro Bridge (as Turks call the Golden Horn), appeared nearby. The design began in 2004, but over time, the builders deviated from the original plans, reducing the bridge’s height by 17 meters, as a UNESCO report indicated that the structure negatively affected the view of the Süleymaniye Mosque.
Galata Bridge: What to See Nearby
The bridge connects the two shores of the Golden Horn in the European part of Istanbul. You can walk across it, for instance, on your way from Hagia Sophia to Galata Tower. Near the bridge, there are metro and tram stations, as well as a funicular line. You can plan your transportation routes using the Moovit app.
Galata Bridge is located in the very heart of Istanbul, so travelers should have no difficulty finding interesting places nearby. Close by are popular city landmarks: Galata Tower, Sirkeci Station, the New Mosque, and the Sultan’s Pavilion.
Have a nice trip!
