The magnificent and unique city of Istanbul, the capital of the Turkish state, is located right at the junction of the two continents. And between them is the famous Bosphorus - a strait that is among the wonders not only of Istanbul, but of the whole of Turkey. This amazing place can be safely called the heart of the city. Tourists from all over the world come here to admire the beauties of the city, take a walk along the outskirts of the strait or sail along it in a boat.
Incidentally, the name "Bosphorus" received the Strait since ancient times. It translates as "cow bridge." Not a very sonorous name, but it is precisely it that is mentioned in ancient Greek myths. According to legend, the lord of Olympus Zeus fell in love with the simple mortal Io. But the jealous wife of the Thunderer Hera turned the beauty into a cow and sent her a huge and evil hornet. Cow Io was not at ease from this bastard until she saw the strait, which became her salvation. And the strait got such a “cow” name thanks to this incident. Whether this is true or fiction is unknown, and we can only believe it, because there is no evidence for this.
The favorite place of many travelers seeking to see the Bosphorus is the East Bridge. It was built by the great Persian king Darius more than 2500 years ago. Over the bridge for the first time passed the seven hundred thousandth army of the ruler.
Since ancient times, the Bosphorus has played a crucial role in the development of trade and shipping. Its excellent location attracted the attention of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans focused on this strait: they built huge castles, fortresses, residences and villas near it. Undoubtedly, it was unrealistic to cover the entire strait in one go, so the troops divided it into several parts. First, fishing villages were built along the banks, then fortresses and palaces were already being built. All this contributed to the prosperity of the empire on the shores of the Bosphorus.
If you look at the Bosphorus Strait on the map, you will get the impression that the two continents practically converge together. Some scholars have even called it the narrowest strait in the whole world. The length of the strait reaches 30 meters and a depth of 120 meters.
As mentioned above, the Bosphorus Strait is the country's main trade hub. It is often called the Golden Horn. Thanks to the strait, the trade and economic sea routes of Turkey with neighboring states were born.
Today, the Bosphorus is a strait with international status. Ships sail in both directions. Travelers can often notice wreckage and other interesting things there. While walking along the strait, you can learn a lot about it. For example, the Turks call the rapid flow of the strait "damn course." It is very fast and dangerous, it begins to rage with the advent of spring, when snow begins to melt in the Danube river basin. Rapid streams rush along the coast, foaming water as during a boil. The Bosphorus Strait is a controversial "creation." It flows simultaneously in two completely different directions: from the Black Sea to the Marmara and vice versa.
Despite the many wars the Bosphorus witnessed, the strait still fascinates tourists. It is especially beautiful during sunset. At this moment, the city around the strait is changing beyond recognition. In the darkness of the standing ships during sunset, you can see how bright lights are lit on the hills. The voices of the muezzins performing the evening prayer sound in the air . Hagia Sophia rises right above the city, like a ship mast. This amazing Bosphorus Strait is a real treasure stored in the very center of Istanbul!