Galata Bridge

Life at its liveliest. Fishermen are reeling in their catches, people are dodging between musicians and caricature artists, restaurants are packed grilling fresh fish with lemon and coriander, and seagulls are squawking like crazy. Walk across the Galata Bridge, and you’ll get a whole taste of Istanbul in one go! It connects the city’s historic center to its bustling modern district. So buckle up, for you’re about to embark on a journey through time! This was the first bridge to cross the Golden Horn. It may have been built in 1845, but the idea had been cooking for ages! Back in 1502, the Sultan asked Leonardo da Vinci himself to design it! His idea was super ambitious – it would have been the longest bridge in the world at the time. But it just wasn’t meant to be. Michelangelo got offered the job next, but he refused and the project went dormant once more. Finally, in the 1800s, they got around to building the first bridge. They called it the New Bridge, as per usual! This one lasted 18 years, as it was eventually replaced by a wooden bridge in anticipation of Napoleon III’s visit. There have been four more bridges since then, with the current one dating from 1992. It’s a bascule bridge, that is, a movable bridge with a deck that lifts straight up to allow passage of ferries underneath. There are lanes for cars, pedestrians and even a tramway! And if you’re still curious about Leonardo da Vinci’s original design, they actually built a mini version of it near Oslo in 2001. Turns out it’s the first Da Vinci design ever built by a civil engineer! In any case, the Galata Bridge is a true Istanbul gem. You’re in for a treat!