Golden Horn

The Golden Horn (Ottoman Turkish: Haliç) is a horn-shaped inlet on the European side of Constantinople that is fed by two small streams. It was a natural harbor where both Byzantine and Ottoman Empire fleets and commercial ships were anchored.

History[edit | edit source]

The Golden Horn, since the times of the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium, has been used as a natural harbor due to its breath and depth.^[1]

Under the Byzantine Empire, it was used as a trading harbor and a popular residential area. Its entrance was blocked by a large chain to stop unwanted ships from entering.^[2]

In 1502, Leonardo da Vinci projected a bridge to be built over the Golden Horn for the Ottoman Sultan, Bayezid II. It was intended to be a single span of 240 meters (787 feet), 8 meters (26 feet) wide, and 24 meters (78 feet) high from the water, but it was never built, as the Sultan did not believe a bridge could cross such a distance without breaking.^[1]

In 1506, Bayezid invited Michelangelo, a rival of Leonardo, to submit a design for the bridge. However, the young artist refused the Sultan's invitation outright, incensed that Leonardo had been asked first.^[1]

Trivia[edit | edit source]

The achievement Almost Flying could be awarded by parachuting off the top of the Galata Tower into the Golden Horn.
According to a legend, the founder of Byzantium, Byzas, named the place in honor of his mother, the nymph Keroessa.