Istanbul/Golden Horn

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Middle East : Turkey : Marmara : Istanbul Province : Istanbul : Golden Horn
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Golden Horn (Turkish: Hali) is both the name of the estuary of the Bosphorus towards
west in Istanbul, and also of the district on banks of it.
This article concentrates on the areas around Golden Horn banks west of city walls. For
southeastern banks, see Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City. For northeastern banks, see
Istanbul/Galata.
Understand [edit]
English name
of the bay
comes from its
Greek
counterpart,
Hrison Keras ( ), which
literally translates "Golden Horn". The
"horn" part perhaps comes from the
deep curve the bay has towards its end
in the northwest. "Golden" part is more
obscure, but possibly it's a poetic
referral to reflections on the Horn's
water during beautiful sunsets.
History [edit]
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Golden Horn as seen from Pierre Loti Cafe
Golden Horn, an estuary formed by
flooding of valleys of two rivers
confluenting just northwest of Eyp by Bosphorus in prehistorical times, had always been Istanbul's primary
harbour. In fact, it can be argued that Istanbul would never have existed in such a grand way if it weren't for this
superb harbour (and also the superb trading route through and across Bosphorus, by the way).
In 1700s, mansions and large gardens full of tulips along the Horn, then called Sadabad, were favourite retreats
of Ottoman state elite, who conducted costly parties thereabouts, which were later accused of economic
destruction and the eventual dissolution of Ottoman Empire. Those years were called either Lale Devri ("Tulip
Era") or Sefahat Devri ("Debauch Era") by different classes of society. Very little is left from that period
physically. Then, about a century later, in 1800s, the banks of Golden Horn was where the industrial revolution
first started in Ottoman Empire and up to 1980s, Golden Horn continued to be one of the industrial powerhouses
of the Turkish economy, however this situation had its heavy toll on what was once "golden" Horn: the industrial
effluents in addition to the untreated wastewater from rapidly expanding city's sewers caused the Horn stinking to
high heaven, as much as that people were actually trying to avoid the avenues along its banks even if those
routes meant a shortcut to where they are heading. Then in late 1980s, the first attempts to bring the Horn to its
former glory began. Today its water is much cleaner (although not clean enough for a swim and there is still some
way to go), and pleasant parks on the lots of demolished factories surround its banks. Neighbourhoods on its
banks, Eyp in special, put a special emphasis on celebrating the Ottoman roots of the area.
Get in [edit]
Buses depart from Eminn for Eyp on the southern shore of the Horn, and also for neighborhoods on the
northern shore.
Ferries from skdar (Asian coast), which also call at Eminn and Karaky, zigzag between neighborhood
quays located on both shores of the Horn.
Get around [edit]
Pedestrianized Old Galata Bridge (Eski Galata Kprs), built in 1912, and once connecting Eminn with
Karaky, is replaced with the current bridge in its former place after it suffered from a big fire in 1992 in the stores
on its lower level, and towed to its present upper location on Golden Horn, between Feshane Cultural Centre
(Feshane Kltr Merkezi) at the eastern entrance of Eyp on the southern bank of the Horn and Stlce on the
northern bank of the Horn, providing an easy link for pedestrians between sides of the Horn. However, the middle
section of the bridge is sometimes towed away to provide water circulation along the Horn, so it entirely depends
on your luck whether you'll be able to cross the Horn on foot on any given day.
Small ferries zigzaging between neighbourhood quays on each side of the Horn are also another way of crossing
to the other side of the Horn.
There is also a chairlift line between downtown Eyp and Pierre Loti on a hill overlooking the Horn, see below
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("Drink" section) for more details.
See [edit] [add listing]
Eyp Mosque Complex (Eyp Camii), Eyp. This is the main attraction around this part of the city. The
holiest Islamic shrine in the city, the complex includes, right next to the mosque, the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-
Ansari (Eyp Ensari Trbesi), the standard bearer of Prophet Mohammad, died and buried here during the first
Muslim siege of Constantinople (674678 AD). It was him the neighbourhood was named after. Muslims flock
in so huge numbers that sometimes you have to queue for a few minutes before entering the tombhere
also to see a rather uninteresting plaque made of plastic, which is purported to be Mohammad's footprint. The
interior of the tomb, covered with fine tiles/faience, is nonetheless well worth a look, however. It is also
interesting to see the devout Muslims leaving the place by walking backwards through its exit hallway, as not
to turn their backs to al-Ansari's catafalque, although no one expects everyone to leave the place in the same
manner. Free. edit
Around the mosque complex is cemeteries and tombs all of which date back to Ottoman period, with their
distinctively decorated marble headstones. Besides, there are a number of other mosques, streets and
stores surrounding the Eyp Complex, all pleasantly preserved, and give the visitors an idea of how Ottoman
Istanbul should be looking like. Here is where all of those "boys-to-be-circumsized photos" are taken, as its a
tradition to take the boys in their special Ottoman prince clothes to this particular mosque before the event. In
the adjoining streets, you can find shops offering interesting Ottoman-style stuff like wooden toys or
traditional salty biscuits shaped like a ring (halka) which you cannot easily find elsewhere.
Feshane, Eski Feshane Caddesi, Eyp (on the waterfront, just east of central Eyp; get off the bus at
'Defterdar' stop), +90 212 501-73-26 (fax: +90 212 501-73-28), [1] . Originally a factory producing fezzes
(fes), Ottoman red hats made of felt, adopted in Ottoman Empire in early 1800s as a part of westernizing
efforts in lieu of much more traditional turbans. However, as an irony of fate, fez itself was scrapped away in
favour of outright western garments during Atatrk's reforms of 1920s and '30s as it was thought to symbolize
the old, decidedly oriental regime. Today, Feshane serves as a cultural and exhibition centre, which hosts
celebrations on local days, and some temporary art exhibitions. During Ramadan, it becomes some sort of
playground showcasing how Ramadan was celebrated during Ottoman era, with traditional sweets and all. edit
Miniaturk [2] , at Stlce (on northern shore of the Horn). M-F 09:00-19:00 and S-Su 09:00-21:00. It was
built in 2001 and is the first miniature park in Istanbul (the world's largest miniature park in respect to its
model area). The park hosts icons of many cultures and civilizations. Models vary from the Hagia Sophia to
Galata Tower, from Safranbolu Houses to the Sumela Monastry in Trabzon, from Qubbat As-Sakhrah to the
ruins of Mount Nemrut. In addition, some works that have not survived into the present, such as the Temple
of Artemis, the Halicarnassus Mausoleum and Ajyad Castle, were recreated. All former Ottoman Empire in
one place.
Rahmi M. Ko Industrial Museum (Sanayi Mzesi), Hasky Caddesi 27, Hasky (on the northern shore of
the Horn), +90 212 256 71 53-54, [3] . This is a typical industry museum which showcases evolution of
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machines. Many transport related items including a submarine, classic cars, railway carriages, an out-of-
service Bosphorus ferry and a Douglas DC-3 aircraft (possible to go inside) is, among others, in the display.
Also houses a typical Istanbul streetscape with its shops and all as how it would look like in the past. edit
Santral stanbul, Silahtar Mah., Kazm Karabekir Cad. 1, Eyp (at the upper end of the Horn, confluence of
two creeks; free shuttles every half an hour 08:30-21:0. daily from Atatrk Cultural Centre in Taksim Square is
available in addition to a wide array of public buses which call at the nearby 'Silahtar' stop), +90 212 311
78 09, [4] . Tu-Su 10:00-20:00. A contemporary art museum located in a building converted from an old
power plant (first such plant in Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire). Part of the plant was kept in almost exact
original condition and now serves as the "Energy Museum". 7 TL (students 3 TL, under 12 and over 65 years
of age free). edit
Do [edit] [add listing]
Walk the town of Balat. Balat housed the first Jews who settled in Istanbul after the Spanish expulsion.
Today, its a middle class neighborhood and as you walk you can see the oldest Jewish houses with the Star
of David.
Buy [edit] [add listing]
Eat [edit] [add listing]
Akmanolu Frn, (near Eyp Mosque), +90 212 581 06 39, [5] . This is the bakery where halkas
mentioned in see section, as well as a number of other traditional cakes, both sweet and salty, are produced
and sold. edit
Lale Lokantasi, Feshane Caddesi, Eyp (inside Feshane Kltr Merkezi - cultural centre), +90 212 501 73
72. Traditional Turkish/Ottoman cuisine. edit
Restaurants around this neighbourhood, [6] . edit
Drink [edit] [add listing]
Cafs [edit]
Pierre Loti is an open air caf on a hill overlooking Golden Horn in Eyp. Its rumored that a famous French
writer used to love to visit this caf during his residence in Istanbul. There is a cable car, lasting about 3
minutes; departs every 5 min between 08:00-midnight), which offers some nice views, between the shore of
Golden Horn and the hill on which caf is situated. Its also possible to walk uphill or to take a taxi.
Sleep [edit] [add listing]
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This page was last modified on 31 December 2013, at 10:36.
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There are not many places to stay in the Golden Horn, and it is mainly visited as a day trip from nearby districts,
Galata and especially Old City. However, if it attracted your attention much as to arouse a desire to overnight
there, you have an option or two.
Turquhouse Boutique Hotel, Merkez Mah. dris Kk Caddesi, Eyp (1 km to downtown Eyp), +90
212 497 13 13 (fax: +90 212 497 16 16), [7] . Boutique hotel housed in 7 separate buildings in the same
yard. Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, air-con, satellite TV and wireless internet access. 90/110/140 for
single/double/triple rooms. About 20% cheaper Nov-Mar. edit
Contact [edit]
Get out [edit]
A trip to Eyp can easily be combined with some more sightseeing in areas of old city of Istanbul that are close
to the banks of Golden Horn, such as the former Greek neighbourhood of Fener/Phanar, which houses
Patriarchate of Constantinople and Bulgarian church of St. Stephen, one of few prefabricated cast iron churches
in the world.
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