Address: Turkey, Istanbul
Start of construction: 1970
Completion of construction: 1973
Support height: 165 m
Bridge length: 1560 m
Bridge Width: 33.4 m
Coordinates: 41°02"49.3"N 29°02"00.0"E
Short description
The Bosphorus Bridge, also known as the Ataturk Bridge, is the first suspension bridge that managed to connect two parts of the world - Europe and Asia. By uniting the two parts of Istanbul, it has become its symbol, an architectural object and a tourist attraction in Turkey.
Judging by the name of the bridge, one can guess that it was thrown across the Bosphorus Strait, which follows from the Black Sea to the Marmara, and then to the Mediterranean.
For the first time, a bridge was built in this area more than 2 thousand years ago during the reign of the Persian emperor Darius I the Great. His idea to connect the shores of the Bosporus Bay led to the appearance of a pontoon structure, which allowed the ruler to transport a large army through the strait and pursue the invading Scythian enemies. The development of the project of the first permanent crossing over the Bosphorus was carried out by Ottoman sultan named Abdul Hamid II, and his "brainchild" was a pontoon bridge made of boats and ropes. So the army of Darius passed over the bay along wooden ladders and ended up on the opposite shore.
In the XX century. The Turkish government considered several ideas for building a bridge, and in 1957 they decided to carry out construction work to build a crossing over the Bosphorus. The beginning of the great construction was marked by the signing of a contract with the British masters Freeman Fox & Partners (1968). But the work itself, led by engineers W. Brown and G. Roberts, “boiled” only 2 years later, in February 1970. A little more than 3 years passed, and in honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, Grand opening bridge. The participants in the ceremony included President Fakhri Korutürk and Mehmet Naim Talu, the country's prime minister. So the Bosphorus Bridge began to function from October 30, 1973.
The design of the Bosphorus Bridge is a suspension structure with inclined suspension brackets and steel towers. Its length is 1560 m, width - 33.4 m. The height of the towers is 165 m, and the distance between them reaches 1075 m.
In the year the construction was completed, such a large-scale structure was considered the fourth longest in the world. However, over time, its place began to fall lower, because in other countries more solid bridge structures began to appear.
In 2007, a modernized Philips LED system was installed to illuminate the bridge. Thanks to innovative lighting, electricity consumption has been halved. In addition, with its installation, it became possible to obtain unusual patterns and color shades.
Legend of the Bosphorus Bridge
Like any building of extraordinary beauty, the Bosphorus Bridge has a legend associated with its appearance. So, if you believe the ancient Turkish myth, the ruler of Olympus Zeus fell in love with the earthly beauty Io with all his heart, and secretly from his goddess wife Hera, he often descended from heaven to meet his beloved. However, Hera found out about her husband's betrayal and set out to take cruel revenge on the separation woman. Wanting to somehow save his mistress from his angry wife, Zeus turned Io into a white cow. But even here Hera showed her divine power, recognizing the beautiful Io in the animal, and sent horseflies at her. Fleeing from stinging insects, the white cow rushed to the strait and found a ford. On it, she was able to cross to the other side and found shelter there. Today this place is called Kadikoy, and it is located in the Asian part of Istanbul. This legend explains the name of the Bosporus Strait, since in translation from Turkish this word means “cow's ford”. Be that as it may, the first idea to build a real bridge belongs to Darius.
Daily life of the Bosphorus Bridge
The bridge consists of 8 car lanes, incl. and emergency. Each direction includes 3 traffic lanes, 1 emergency lane and a sidewalk. The bridge crosses up to 200,000 units daily Vehicle carrying over 600,000 passengers. In 1997, the one billionth car crossed it. Interestingly, when fully loaded, the design of the Bosphorus Bridge in the middle of the span settles by 90 cm.
Immediately after the opening of the bridge, pedestrians walked on the bridge for 4 years. However, subsequently, in connection with frequent suicide attempts, a ban was placed on walking on the bridge. Trucks are not allowed here either. But there are exceptions to all rules. So, every year in October, during the Istanbul Marathon, the Bosphorus Bridge becomes accessible to pedestrians, but closed to motorists. Thus, the participants of the marathon will start in Asia and finish in Europe.
Of course, the Bosphorus Bridge is incredibly beautiful, but it is better to admire it from afar, for example, from a ship cruising along the strait. From afar, the large-scale construction seems like a thin thread along which thousands of cars move. And in the evening, the "cow ford" becomes simply fabulous, because after sunset the lights on the bridge turn on.
Istanbul. Bridge over the Bosphorus at night. View from Eminonu.
Bridges of Istanbul grandiose, graceful and famous. It cannot be said that they delight the eye with architectural delights - they are not there and they are not needed there! They don't need plaster decorations! They fascinate a person, as the night fascinates, pulling you out of everyday life and leaving you alone with the cosmos. When you see them, you will feel it for yourself.
Bridges of Istanbul not the largest in the world, but the only ones in the world that connect no more - no less than parts of the world! Although, of course, their meaning is not at all in this, but in connect Istanbul divided by the Bosphorus into a single whole. Of course, it is more romantic to cross the strait by ferry, but the bridge is still safer and easier.
By the way, a few words about what, in fact, to swim across or move - itself name of the Bosphorus translated from Greek means "cow ford". That is, approximately the same as the word “Moscow” means in translation from the Komi language (there is such a version!). Thus, both Istanbul and Moscow are interconnected, at least by cows. True, there is one “but” here! The point is that when On May 29, 1453, the Turks took Constantinople. and turned it into Istanbul, they were already Muslims, that is, strict monotheists, and naturally, Greek myths weren't interested. And that cow that swam across the Bosphorus came from the ancient Greek myth about the mistress of Zeus named Io. In an attempt to hide his mistress from the righteous wrath of his wife Hera, Zeus turned Io into a cow. This one cow and swam across the Bosphorus, fleeing from the terrible gadfly, which the vengeful Hera created especially for her ...
But, frankly, even if the Turks knew ancient Greek mythology, they would hardly have been able to imagine such an ugly behavior of a woman, even the wife of Zeus himself. As a result of this clash of civilizations, the Turks the Bosphorus began to be called simply the Istanbul Strait (İstanbul Boğazı)- it is clear, understandable and does not violate the order in the harem!
But back to our bridges. Now in Istanbul there are three bridges across the Bosphorus. The last of them, the bridge of Sultan Selim the Terrible, was opened on August 26, 2016.
Istanbul. Bosphorus bridge.
He is also: Boğaziçi Köprüsü or Boğaz Köprüsü - in Turkish.
He: Bosphorus bridge or First Bosphorus Bridge - in English.
Or more clearly - the First Bosphorus Bridge.
Sometimes, very rarely, it is also called the Atatürk Bridge.
The main characteristics of the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul.
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Bridge over the Bosphorus planned to begin construction in 1950. But apparently something did not grow together in the Turkish State Planning Committee and it took another 20 years until the first stone lay in the foundation of the first bridge across the Bosphorus. The bridge was built by the German firm Hochtif and the English firm Cleveland Engineering. The construction cost was about $200 million. I mentioned Gosplan for a reason - of course, there was no Gosplan in Turkey, there is not, and, hopefully, there will not be. Memories were inspired by the date of putting the bridge into operation - October 29, 1973, the Day of the Foundation of the Republic of Turkey. Immediately remembered Soviet times, gifts for holidays and congresses…. But as you can see, we are not alone. Travel on the Bosphorus Bridge is paid. But only when traveling Europe-Asia. IN reverse side for free. The fare, depending on the category of car, is from 4.25tl to 10.25tl. The bridge is closed to pedestrians. In order not to tempt a shortcut to better world. Because the cases were... |
Istanbul. Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge.
Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge.
He is also: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü - in Turkish.
He: Fatih Sultan Bridge or Second Bosphorus Bridge - in English.
Or more clearly - the Second Bosphorus Bridge.
I draw your attention to the fact that it is more correct to call this bridge a bridge Fatih Sultan Mehmed.
Key features of the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge in Istanbul.
The Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge is located next to the Genoese fortress.
Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge was built by a Japanese firm for $130 million.
And here we also see the magical date of the launch of the bridge - May 29, 1988 - the day of the 535th anniversary of the capture of Constantinople by the Turks. Fatih Sultan Mehmed, nicknamed Mehmed the Conqueror, commanded the Turks in those glorious times. Now we understand why the second bridge across the Bosphorus was named after him.
The bridge is closed to pedestrians. We already know the reason.
The Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge is toll-free. The amount of payment and conditions are similar to the first bridge - they pay only when traveling Europe-Asia and the fare, depending on the category of car, is from 4.25tl to 10.25tl.
Both the first and second bridges of Istanbul look very similar to each other. However, they can be easily distinguished from each other by the cables on which the bridge canvas is suspended. On the Bosphorus Bridge (the first bridge), these cables run in a zigzag pattern, while on the Sultan Fatih Mehmed Bridge, these cables are arranged vertically. This is especially well seen at night, when the illumination is turned on on the bridges. (See photo at top of page.)
Istanbul. Bridge of Sultan Selim the Terrible.
He is also: Yavuz Sultan Selim Köprüsü - in Turkish.
Or more clearly - the third Bosphorus bridge.
I don’t have photos of this bridge yet, because I was in Istanbul when this bridge was just being built.
In the name of the bridge, we hear "native" motives, because Russia had its own "formidable" ruler. Indeed, they both marked their mark in history with rivers of blood. And they lived almost at the same time - in the 16th century. Maybe it was the time?
The main characteristics of the bridge of Sultan Selim the Terrible in Istanbul.
On August 26, 2016, the official opening ceremony of the Selim the Terrible Bridge took place.
From 08/27/2016 to 08/31/2016, the passage on the bridge was free. Now the fare on the bridge is approximately $3.
The design of this bridge is a mixed cable-stayed and suspension. By appearance it is somewhat different from the previous two. In addition, its important difference is the presence of a double-track railway, which, it seems to me, will give a new impetus to the industrial development of the Asian part of Turkey.
Istanbul. Galata bridge.
Galata bridge from Eminonu embankment.
He is also: Galata Köprüsü - in Turkish.
He: Galata Bridge - in English.
The length of the bridge is 484 meters, the width is 42 meters,
the central part of the bridge 80 meters long - adjustable.
In Istanbul, in addition to bridges across the Bosphorus, there are several more bridges across Golden Horn bay(in Turkish Halic bay, bay). The most famous of them, which connects the districts of Istanbul Galata(now called Karakoy) and Eminonu(Eminönu). The bridge is automobile-tram-pedestrian. Bridge route tram - T1, or, as it is sometimes called, tourist - along its route, the main historical sights of Istanbul are located. So if you want to get from the Galata Bridge to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), or to the Grand Bazaar, then you just need it. Tram stops are located on both sides of the bridge.
The height of the bridge above the water level, as you can see, is small, which imposes significant restrictions on the size of ships and permissible weather. In order for the height of the bridge not to become a completely insurmountable barrier to navigation the central part of the Galata bridge is drawable.
The Galata Bridge is two-story, on the lower floor there are restaurants, mainly with a fish menu and beer. Speaking of fish, please note that all the railings of the bridge are plastered with fishermen. The catch, as far as I have noticed, is exclusively of feline interest.
Fish market from Galata (Karakoy).
And these are the results of "adult" fishing - near the beginning of the Galata Bridge from the side of Galata there is a fish market. Every time I buy fish in Moscow stores, I remember him with longing. I feel even sadder when I eat this supermarket fish.
Historic floating fish kitchens.
But on the other side of the Golden Horn (Khalich) on the Eminonu embankment, the same fish in the same bun will already cost 20% more, as much as 6 lira! And crowds of people stand in line here for this fish sandwich and no one goes to opposite side even for the sake of saving 1 lira! The reason, of course, is not that the Turks like to squander money, no, the reasons are different:
- Firstly, this is a historical place, and for hundreds of years there have been such (or almost such) pretty boats, floating kitchens on which this very fish is fried on this place. I mean, it's a tradition!
- Secondly, fifty meters from the floating kitchens is the bus station.
- Thirdly, the Eminonu pier is also located here, from which tourist boats and ferries depart to cross the Asian coast of the Bosphorus.
The combination of all these factors led to the fact that fish was fried at this place a hundred years ago, and they will be fried in a hundred years. Insha-Allah, as the Turks say!
On the bridges of Istanbul with GlobEx!
Istanbul. Bridges across the Golden Horn.
You can walk, ride or just stroll along the bridges of Istanbul by ordering a tour at the Globex travel agency. Read the Schedule of sightseeing tours in Istanbul. Maybe this will inspire you.
Overview of two bridges across the Bosphorus - the southern, visible from the center of Istanbul (First Bosphorus, 1973), and the northern, later (Fatih Bridge, 1988). Both bridges were built and opened on significant dates: the first - on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey M.K. Ataturk, the second - to the 535th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople from Byzantium. Both bridges are quite beautiful, but I liked the second one more. At the same time, you will see in the pictures how narrow the Bosphorus is, connecting two seas and separating two parts of the world.
Bridge them. Sultan Mehmed II Fatih, 1988
First, I will show you the First Bosphorus Bridge (Boğaz Köprüsü). Basic data :
The length of the bridge is 1560 meters, the length of the main span is 1074 meters, the width is 33 meters, the height of the supports is 165 meters above the water. From the roadway to the surface of the water - 64 meters. The laying of the bridge, planned back in 1950, was carried out on February 20, 1970. The opening of the bridge took place on October 29, 1973, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. The bridge was built by the German firm Hochtif and the English firm Cleveland Engineering.
2. Since I crossed the Bosphorus several times in different weather, the pictures will be different in mood. This one was taken when I was on the ferry to Haydarpasa Station. The weather was almost perfect. Pay attention to how obliquely the merchant ship goes along the fairway. As I later became convinced, the route along the main fairway there is not straight and rather complicated, so a pilot is required for the pilot.
3. And this is the same, but in cloudy weather. We leave from Uskudar.
4. Also, with seagulls interfering with shooting. For some reason, there are a huge number of them, and the most advanced locals buy bagels, crumble them and throw them to seagulls right on the go, and you can watch a real air-bird performance “Take a piece from a neighbor on the fly”.
5. Again in good weather. Again, a transit ship is caught in the frame, next to the Black Sea.
5a. In the evening, on some days, it is turned on, the backlight looks like this. But not every day! (I haven't been able to figure out the pattern)
6. Well, a shot made from a metrobus through the glass when I crossed it overland. Remember, I showed you the video “From Europe to Asia”?
The second bridge, them. Sultan Mehmet Fatih "The Conqueror" (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü) seemed to me noticeably more charismatic in appearance. All pictures were taken near the final bus that goes to the historical Rumelihissar fortress. Some - from the fortress, some - from above.
Data on it:
The length of the bridge is 1510 meters, the length of the main span is 1090 meters, the width of the bridge is 39 meters, the height of the supports is 165 meters above the water. From the roadway to the surface of the water - 64 meters.
The second bridge was built by the Japanese, not the Europeans, and in terms of height above sea level (64 m) and the height of the pylons (165 m) it is identical to the First. Both bridges are strictly closed for pedestrian traffic - you can only go by transport, from a motorcycle and above.
7. General view from above. Near the Asian shore, on a hill, there is a huge flagpole with the Turkish flag.
8. Somewhat closer, with a view of the Asian pylon. Notice how heavy the traffic is there. And for some reason, there are more trucks here than on the First Bridge - perhaps the Turks have some restrictions on this. And 80% of heavy trucks go from Asia to Europe, and not vice versa. I couldn't find an explanation for this fact.
9. An angle to the Bosphorus, which winds intricately there.
10. Another view from the fortress.
11. We climbed higher, the frame is facing north.
12. Trucks to Europe go almost continuously.
13. At the very top of the hill: you can see the flow from above.
14. View from the same place, but to the east, to Asia. Appreciate the narrowness of the Bosphorus - its width here is probably 600-700 meters. Near the shore, a large ship is moving along the main fairway, almost in the center is the tower of the “Cut Throat” fortress, built by this same Fatih in 1452 in just six months. With this construction, he finally blocked the free passage along the Bosphorus and concentrated troops and artillery there. A year after the construction of the fortress, the unfortunate Byzantine Constantinople will fall.
15. The same ship follows the Black Sea. The fairway winds there too.
16. Another view of the bridge. Did you pay attention to the main sign of Istanbul in the lower left corner? If I had noticed him earlier, this picture would have ended up in the post “Istanbul cats” 🙂
17. View of Asia.
18. ... and, for dessert, to the narrow Bosphorus. The fortress begins a little to the south, did not enter the frame.
First bridge linking two shores Persian king Darius commissioned the construction of a certain Mandrocles from Samos in 490 BC. This engineering structure, through which 70 thousand soldiers moved from one coast to the other, consisted of a huge number of boats. IN Ottoman times building idea bridge through was close to implementation even the day before Russian-Turkish war(1877-1878). In 1931, the authors of the first plan for the industrialization of Turkey prepared a draft of a hanging bridge, similar in design to the similar bridge in San Francisco, which would connect the Akhirkapı () and Salajak () districts. However, for the construction bridge returned only many years later.
bosphorus bridge(Boğaziçi Köprüsü), connecting Europe and Asia, after construction sultan's bridge also called First Bosphorus(Birinci Boğaziçi Köprüsü). The work was completed by October 30, 1973, and the opening of the engineering structure was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. bosphorus bridge designed according to the hanging scheme bridge(colloquially they are called "suspended"). The length of the structure is 1560 m, and the clearance from the water level is 64 m, which provides passage for ships with high superstructures. Despite the presence of sidewalks (for climbing the deck bridge elevators were provided in the supports), first Bosphorus bridge closed to pedestrians.
In honor of the memory of the victims of the failed military mutiny (2016), bosphorus bridge renamed to 15 July Martyrs Bridge(15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü). Recall that on the night of July 15-16, more than 240 people died, and about 2,200 were injured.
Sultan's Bridge(Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü) is also known as second Bosphorus bridge(İkinci Boğaziçi Köprüsü) and is located at a distance of 5 km from the first one. The construction connects the European coast of Istanbul in the region with the Asian coast in the region. By erecting this bridge(July 3, 1988) marked one of the anniversaries in the history of Turkey - the 535th anniversary of the conquest by the Sultan, whose name this building received. It is also noteworthy that bridge built on the same place where almost 2.5 thousand years before that the first crossing of King Darius was located. Second Bosphorus Bridge built according to the same design scheme as First. Length bridge is 1510 m, and the clearance from the water level is 64 m.
third bridge through named Sultan(Yavuz Sultan Selim Köprüsü), connects (Poyrazköy) in Asia and (Garipçe) in Europe. total length bridge was 2164 m, width - 59 m, and the length of the main span - 1408 m. The maximum height of the supports reaches 322 m. bridge is a combined design: part of the canvas is supported by the guys, part - by the guys and cables, while the middle of the main span is suspended on cables. For movement along bridge there are eight lanes for cars and two railway tracks. The fare will be paid and will amount to $ 3.4 for cars and about $ 15 for trucks when crossing bridge in the Asian direction. From Asia to Europe it will be possible to cross for free.
The Bosphorus Bridge is more symbolic than picturesque, but this does not prevent it from being one of the symbols of Istanbul today! Many events are associated with this building, historical, economic, and even sports. Surprisingly, the tennis match of the famous tennis player Venus Williams was held here
This bridge became the first suspension bridge across the Bosphorus and, as a result, connected the European and Asian parts of Istanbul
They talked about laying a suspension bridge across the Bosphorus Strait back in 1950, when the project of Oleg Aleksandrovich Kerensky was completely ready, but they began to build it only 20 years later - on February 20, 1970. Three years later, on October 29, 1973, the Bosphorus Bridge was inaugurated - this event was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey
In total, a huge sum for those times was spent on the construction of the bridge - $ 200 million, and the German company Hochtif and the English Cleveland Engineering were engaged in its construction.
According to such expenses, the technical data of the bridge are quite serious: the total length is 1560 (the length of the main span is 1074 meters), the width is only 33 meters, and the height of the supports reaches 165 meters above the water surface. The carriageway is separated from the water by 64 meters
Pedestrians have not been allowed for a long time - of course, because of “lovers of suffering and jumping from bridges”, because it’s worth appearing somewhere high bridge- clouds of suicide immediately run up ... But once a year, as an exception, people are allowed on the bridge - as part of the October Istanbul Marathon, the participants of which start in Asia and finish in Europe) During the marathon, car traffic on the bridge stops
Every day, 200,000 cars pass over the bridge from continent to continent - travel, of course, is paid
By the way, if I am not mistaken, the Bosphorus Bridge is today the 13th longest suspension bridge in the world and one of the largest structures of the 20th century.
In 2006, the Bosphorus Bridge was "updated" - thanks to Philips Lighting, which installed modern LED lighting on it. Unlike the previous backlight, this one consumes 50% less energy, and also has the ability to produce many colors that are different from the shades of conventional light sources.
This material was prepared with the support of the Tennis Park sports center in Moscow, where you can rent a court and play tennis to your heart's content. great game aristocrats also left their mark on the history of the Bosphorus bridge. In 2007, the bridge hosted an iconic tennis game between American tennis player Venus Williams and Turkish tennis No. 1 Ipek Shinolu. The match was significant because it took place not only between representatives of different continents, but also in Europe and Asia at the same time - the ball literally flew back and forth during the game, but after the match he was symbolically launched into the Bosphorus.
