TRAVEL INFO : BOSPHORUS STRAITS, TURKEY (2018)

The Bosphorus Strait is much more that just a scenic waterway, it is arguably the most strategically important and geologically unique strait in the world. 

It is a natural strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, which eventually leads to the Mediterrnean. 

It is the only natural waterway in the world that splits a single city (Istanbul) across two continents : Europe and Asia. 

It is about 31 km (19 miles) long. Its width is highly variable: it stretches to 3.5 km at its widest but narrows down to just 700 meters at its thinnest point (near the Rumeli Fortress you photographed).

The name Bosphorus actually means "Ox-passage" for "Ford of the Ox". According to the Greek myth, the god Zeus had an affair with a woman named lo. To hide her from his jealous wife Hera, he turned Lo int a cow. Hera sent a stinging horsefly to torment, causing Lo to jump across the strait to escape - hence the "Ox -passage". 

Based on the photo above, two of the most iconic sights along the Bosphorus, are the Suleymaniye Mosque and Rumeli Fortress. 

1. The Suleymaniye Mosque (Suleymaniye Camii) : it was designed by the legendary architect Mimar Sinan and completed in 1557 for Suleiman the Magnificent. It sit sits on the "Third Hill" of Istanbul, overlooking the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. 
2. Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisan) : the massive stone fortress , a medieval stronghold that tells the story of how the city was conquered. It was built by Sultan Mehmed II (Muhammad Al-Fateh) in just 4 month (1452) to cut off the Bosphorus and prevent help from reaching the Byzantine during the siege of Constantinople. Today it's an open museum. 

Modern Infrastructure

Today, the two continents are linked by several major engineering feats:

• Bridges: There are three suspension bridges: the 15 July Martyrs Bridge (1973), the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (1988), and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (2016).
• Tunnels: The Marmaray (railway, 2013) and the Eurasia Tunnel (vehicular, 2016) run deep beneath the seabed.

Visiting the Bosphorus

The shores are lined with historic wooden mansions (yalı), Ottoman palaces like Dolmabahçe, and vibrant neighborhoods. 

• Cruises: Taking a Bosphorus Cruise is considered a quintessential Istanbul experience. Public ferries (Şehir Hatları) and private tours offer routes ranging from short hops to 90-minute trips toward the Black Sea.
• Waterfront Villages: Popular spots to visit along the banks include Ortaköy for its iconic mosque, Bebek for its upscale cafes, and Kandilli for its historic atmosphere.

Reference:

1. Wikipedia : Bosphorus
2. Marine Insight : 6 Bosphorus Straits Facts you must Know.
3. Bosporus Cruise : The Strategic Importance of the Bosphorus in History.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL
1/1/2026: 1.00 p.m