Haliç (Golden Horn)
The Happiness-Filled Place of Istanbul
The Golden Horn, which forms the entrance to the Bosphorus, is one of the most important sea routes of Istanbul. The Golden Horn, which takes its name from its characteristic horn-shaped appearance, has a deep-rooted history. This place stands out as an important port where the merchant fleets of the Ottoman and Eastern Roman empires once anchored.
Ancient poets often praised the Golden Horn, characterized by its tulip gardens and temperate environment, for its beauty. Surrounded by the Sea of Marmara and the Historical Peninsula, the Golden Horn has been the scene of many wars, battles and conquests. The Golden Horn, with the "old city" at one end; It hosts many historical monuments such as Galata Tower, Old Galata Bridge and Süleymaniye Mosque. The Golden Horn, which has been the subject of countless works of art with its wide view overlooking the coast, is a vibrant center of the city's historical, cultural and political life.
You can witness the sunset in all its beauty from anywhere in the city and end the day from two different continents and two different seas. Nothing can compare to the great pleasure of watching the sunset on both the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The sun, shining more beautifully than ever in the calm waters of the Golden Horn, is one step closer to the place defined by poets in the past as "Sadabâd" or "The place of happiness" with its unique dance.
The centuries-old importance of Istanbul stems from the natural protection harbor of the Golden Horn on the Bosphorus. The military and economic benefits of the Golden Horn enabled the development of empires. Today, lively neighborhoods along the Golden Horn; It impresses visitors with its museums, churches, synagogues, mosques and other attractions.
A walk next to historical sites in the Fener and Balat neighborhoods of Istanbul will take you to a microcosm of cosmopolitan Istanbul, where children play under the clotheslines strung between the buildings.
Fener and Balat, just beyond the Golden Horn, have been home to Orthodox Christian and Jewish communities for centuries. It's worth your time to find out what makes these neighborhoods a true experience of Istanbul.
The spirit of the past and the modern lines of today come together in the colorful, labyrinth-like streets where 3rd generation coffee shops and design boutiques are located next to traditional tea gardens and handicraft shops. Balat and Fener, where you can lose yourself in nostalgia, have their own, somewhat dusty, sometimes exaggerated, second-hand shops and antique shops. In some cafes, people organize antique auctions. When bidders shout at auctions, people passing by take a curious look inside because of the sounds that spread into the street!
