Boğaziçi

Its geographical position made İstanbul a centre of interest for different civilisations over the centuries and played a defining role in the historical development of the city, which served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The settlements that developed along both shores of the Boğaz shaped İstanbul’s distinctive identity, bringing together European and Asian cultures.

The shores of Boğaziçi have been enriched over the centuries by palaces, waterfront mansions, pavilions, fortresses and historic buildings. Anadolu Hisarı and Rumeli Hisarı are important defensive structures built to establish control over the strait before the conquest of İstanbul. Dolmabahçe Sarayı, Beylerbeyi Sarayı, Küçüksu Kasrı and the historic waterfront mansions lining the shores reflect the architectural and social life of the Ottoman period in particular. These structures demonstrate that the Boğaz has been not only a strategic passageway but also an important area of settlement and culture throughout history.

Another important feature shaping the present-day appearance of Boğaziçi is the bridges connecting the two continents. Opened in 1973, 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü (15 July Martyrs Bridge) was the first bridge to connect the two shores of the Boğaz by road. The transportation network between the continents was later expanded with Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü and Yavuz Sultan Selim Köprüsü. Ferries crossing the Boğaz, historic buildings along the shores, fishing boats and waterfront mansions together create one of İstanbul’s most iconic views. With its history, architecture, natural beauty and unique position connecting two continents, Boğaziçi is one of the defining elements of İstanbul’s cultural identity.