ABSTRACT

Apoetwritingfourteencenturiesagodescribedthis cityasbeingsurroundedbyagarlandofwaters.Muchhas changedsincethen,butmodernIstanbulstillowesmuch ofitsspiritandbeautytothewaterswhichboundand divideit.Thereisperhapsnowhereelseintownwhereone canappreciatethismorethanfromtheGalataBridge,where alltoursofthecityshouldbegin.Thereareotherplaces inIstanbulwithmorepanoramicviews,butnonewhereone canbettersensetheintimacywhichthiscityhaswiththe sea,norbetterunderstandhowitsmaritimesituationhas influenceditscharacteranditshistory.Sothevisitoris advisedtostrolltotheGalataBridgeforhisfirstviewof thecity.Butyoushoulddoyoursight-seeingthereasdo theStamboullus,seatedatateahouseorcafeonthelower leveloftheBridge,enjoyingyourkeyifoveracupoftea oraglassofraki,lookingoutalongtheGoldenHornto whereitmeetstheBosphorusandtheSeaofMarmara.