Bridges of Istanbul
Darius I of Persia was the first to attempt on building a bridge in Istanbul. However, the first bridge of Istanbul, possessed by the Ottomans for more than 400 years, was built in Golden Horn by order of Mehmed II the Conqueror. Allowing only five people to walk side by side, this wooden bridge continued to serve until 1836 with the additions and restorations. However, the Ottomans were building permanent stone bridges for the soldiers to pass when the army was going on a cruise. For example, Sinan the Architect’s bridge located in Istanbul Büyükçekmece is still as safe and sound as it was first built.
Bridges between Eminönü and Karaköy
Bayezid II, the son of Mehmed II the Conquerer, invited Leonardo da Vinci to Istanbul for him to build a bridge at the entrance of Golden Horn in the early 16th century. Although da Vinci offered the Sultan a one eyed, fixed bridge whose length and width were respectively no more than 350 and 34 meters; the Sultan rejected his project. (This bridge was built by the contemporary Norwegian artist Vebjørn Sand in Oslo and opened on October, 31, 2001 carving out the beginning of the international Leonardo Bridge Project.) Michelangelo was invited to Istanbul to build a bridge when da Vinci project could not be put into practice, but he did not come. Afterwards, the Istanbul bridge project was discarded until 1836. (It is also mentioned that Leonardo da Vinci had a project of a suspension bridge connecting the two sides of the Bosporus.)
Unkapanı Bridges
The first bridge on the Golden Horn was built between Unkapanı and Azapkapı by order of Mahmut the Second in September, 1836. This bridge was built on barges and had underpasses on two parts for small ships and boats to pass. The Sultan, enacted a decree demanding no tolls would be collected from the citizens for the bridge which was opened the day after the Qadr Night. For this reason, the bridge was known with the name “Grace”. However, those who did not follow this decree started to collect bridge-tolls. This bridge was used until 1875.
In 1875, the bridge built by order of Abdulaziz was opened. This bridge was used until 1912.
The third bridge was the old Galata Bridge which collapsed in 1936 due to a severe storm.
In 1940, today’s iron Unkapı Bridge was built. This fourth bridge is also called the Atatürk Bridge.
Galata (Eminönü-Karaköy)Bridges
The first Galata Bridge was built by order of Valide Sultan Bezmialem, the mother of Abdülmecid I, between Eminönü and Karaköy. The bridge was named Yeni Köprü, Cisr-i Cedid (New Bridge), Valide Köprüsü, Büyük Köprü, Yeni Cami Köprüsü and Güvercinli Köprü so that it wouldn’t be confused with Hayratiye Bridge between Unkapanı-Azapkapı.
The fourth Galata Bridge was opened in April 27, 1912 after Galata Bridge was renewed in 1863 and 1875. The bridge was built by a German company at a cost of 250.000 gold liras. There were stores and docks under the bridge. With this bridge which İstanbul people made legendary with the name “Galata Bridge”, the concepts of “Bridge” and “Underbridge” became inseparable parts of İstanbul’s culture. When Galata Bridge burnt down for an unknown reason in May 16, 1992, it was moved to Balat-Hasköy after its restoration for the construction of the new bridge.
The modern Galata Bridge was built just a few meters away to the North from its former location after it burnt down. Stores and restaurants were opened under the bridge in 2003 just like the ones under the old one.
Ayvansaray-Halıcıoğlu Bridge
This bridge, which was built in 1974 with the cooperation of Turkey, Japan and Germany, was expanded in 1980s and 1990s.
Bosphorus Bridges
Although Leonardo da Vinci’s project of a suspension bridge connecting the two sides of the Bosphorus is being spoken of, the first Bosphorus Bridge between Ortaköy-Beylerbeyi was completed between 1970 and 1973. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which is the second Bosphorus bridge, was built between Kavacık-Rumelihisarı in 1985-1988. Therefore, Asia and Europe have been connected to each other through these bridges for years… The unique charm of İstanbul must be passing through these bridges and to enjoy the feeling of being right in the middle of Asia and Europe.
