Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul — A Symbol Linking Two Continents
The Bosphorus Bridge, known in Turkish as Boğaziçi Köprüsü, is one of Istanbul’s most famous feats of engineering and a modern symbol of the city. This remarkable bridge spans the Bosphorus Strait and connects Asia with Europe.
History and Construction
The Bosphorus Bridge opened in 1973, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye. It was the first bridge to connect the continents of Asia and Europe and played an important role in Istanbul’s urban and economic development.
Its principal designers, Sir Gilbert Roberts and William Brown, were among Britain’s leading engineers. Construction of this huge project took about three years, and at the time it was the fourth-longest suspension bridge in the world.
Technical and Architectural Features
- Total length: about 1,560 metres
- Main span: 1,074 metres
- Height above sea level: about 64 metres
- Width: 33 metres
- Weight of the suspension cables: more than 6,000 tonnes
The bridge carries 8 traffic lanes (four in each direction), two of which are reserved for public transport. Despite heavy traffic, the flow is managed by an intelligent control system.
Official Name and Historical Significance
Since 2016 the bridge’s official name has been the 15 July Martyrs Bridge (15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü), in memory of those who lost their lives during the failed coup attempt of 2016. Locals and visitors, however, still widely call it the “Bosphorus Bridge”.
Visiting the Bosphorus Bridge
Walking across the bridge is not permitted for the public, but you can enjoy its spectacular views from the surrounding areas or from the water. The best way to see the bridge is a boat tour on the Bosphorus. Excursion boats depart from the piers at Ortaköy, Eminönü, Beşiktaş and Üsküdar, and at sunset the bridge’s colourful lighting creates one of the city’s most beautiful scenes.
At night the bridge is lit with multicoloured LED lights, creating a stunning image of modern Istanbul. Many photographers and visitors consider watching the sunset beside the bridge from Ortaköy pier one of the unforgettable experiences of their trip.
Location
Address: European side: from Beşiktaş or Ortaköy | Asian side: from Beylerbeyi
Getting there: bus, taxi or public ferries — numerous stops around the bridge