Galata bridge is one of the best vantage points to take in breathtaking views of the complex geography of the city.
It’ s all part of the atmosphere and haggling over prices is customary. Enjoy it. Although take note, once a price is agreed you must stick to it. As someone who intensely dislikes unrelenting approaches by trinket sellers, here in Istanbul and mainly in the Grand Bazaar, I found it tolerable and at times amusing. Maybe it’ s the presence of the Bazaar’ s police that keeps excessive hassling at bay?
If you are on the look-out for some good deals over gold and centre then head towards Ic Bedesten located at the centre of the maze. This is where most of the more precious and expensive goods are stored.
New Mosque As this is on your way up to cross the Galata Bridge, it is worth taking a peek inside this beautiful mosque completed in the 17 th Century which dominates the Eminonu waterfront( where you can board boats for the Bosphorus) and is notable for the fact it was commissioned by Safiye, the mother of Sultan Mehmet IV at a time when women from the harem became powerful. Similarly to The Blue Mosque it is decorated in beautiful blue and floral Iznik tiles. Its position at the southern end of Galata Bridge makes it one the most stunning to photograph, taking in the waterfront as a backdrop
Galata Bridge A short stroll from the New Mosque is Galata Bridge which will take you into the bustling European quarter of Beyoglu north of the Golden
Galata Bridge
Galata bridge is one of the best vantage points to take in breathtaking views of the complex geography of the city.
Horn harbour. Built in 1992 the bridge which has a raffish charm actually opens in the middle to allow access for tall ships. Peppered with weather faced fishermen on the bridge this is one of the best vantage points to take in breathtaking views of the complex geography of the city and the stunning minaret spattered skyline. The bridge straddles the Golden Horn river valley flowing down from the west and looks towards the busy Bosphorus in the east. Underground it’ s an Aladdin’ s tunnel of cheap trinkets, souvenirs, battery operated toys and fake designer clothing.
The Funicular Once over to the north side of Galata Bridge, depending on how much time you wish to spend by the waterfront, a quick way to get to bustling Beyoglu is to take the Funicular at the bottom end( Karakoy) which travels up the hill to Tunel Square which is the gateway to Beyoglu’ s heart of shopping and cafe society and offers Istanbul’ s largest pedestrianized street Istiklal Caddesi.
Beyoglu This is the heart of the European quarter of the city, a home for many of the city’ s foreign residents and in many ways represents a bygone era of Victorian and early twentieth century travellers to the city. The Galata area, dominated by its iconic tower became the main destination for a cosmopolitan mix of Jews, Greeks and Arabs who settled in communities here from the 16 th Century.
EuroTravel | 55