Turkey4U: GOLDEN HORN

The Golden Horn divides the Historic Peninsula from Galata, which together constitute the European side of Istanbul. The Golden Horn is not only a natural harbor, but also a residential area comprising a number of historical districts, such as Fener, Balat and Eyüp.

Some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city of Istanbul may be seen along the Golden Horn.
The Marmara Sea forms a narrow strait towards its merging point with the Kağıthane Stream by entering into the land through the historic peninsula shores, resulting in a deep natural harbor.
Golden Horn was significant in terms of fishery, agriculture and transportation in the past.
In referring to the "fertility" of the Bosphorus waters, the region has been called as the "Golden Horn" since its first residential neighborhoods began to be established.
Turkish, Greek, Armenian and Jewish people lived there side by side in Ottoman times. For that reason, the region is of major significance for the cultural heritage of Istanbul.
The shipyard on the Beyoğlu side of the Golden Horn and the industrial facilities subsequently built around this shipyard had turned the whole region into a factory site for a while.
The Golden Horn Bay, that had previously hosted various rarely seen sea life and had been the spawning ground of many fish species of the Marmara Sea, is recently attracting fishermen once again.
The most reasonable route for a tour of the Golden Horn is to start from the Eminünü side of the historic peninsula toward the northern part. Along this route, the first noticeable building is the historical cigarette factory building which today is used as a university campus.
When following the shoreline, fish restaurants are seen. After the cleaning process of the bay, these restaurants constituting one of the most significant symbols of the region have become a center of gravity again. Some historical buildings, which had become derelict with the negligence of the whole region, were restored and are now used as fish restaurants.
In these restaurants, you can find various traditional appetizers as well as fresh and delicious fish dishes.
Continuing along this route, you arrive at the district of Fener, or "beacon." This district, which was added to the World's Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO in 1988, was named after the oldest and most significant beacon on the Golden Horn Bay.
While the district had been called "Fanarion" during the Byzantine period, it began to be known as "Fener" during the Ottoman period.
Being one of the purest districts of istanbul in terms of its historical structures hosting many historical churches, mosques and houses, Fener has begun to attract attention of many people, especially the intellectuals of istanbul since the late 1990s.
The restored historical buildings were opened to residential use again. The district of Balat, which is next to Fener, was also taken to the World's Cultural Heritage List by the UNESCO.
With their historical buildings remaining from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, Balat and Fener can be likened to two old wise persons standing side by side on the southern shores of the Golden Horn.
Balat, which is very similar to Fener in terms of its historical characteristics and building texture, is a district having preferred by the Jewish people since the Byzantine period.
The houses located in Balat have distinct characteristics of the Old Istanbul houses.
Balat had been a residential area for especially the Jewish people who came from Spain in 1492 and from Portugal and Italy in 1497 to seek refuge in the Ottoman Empire.
The churches of the Armenians and Greeks who lived in Fener and Balat and the mosques and dervish lodges built by the Muslim Turks mainly after the 17th century make Balat some sort of "Jerusalem miniature" metaphorically.

Eyüp Sultan Mosque Mausoleum
The Mosque and Mausoleum of Eyüp Sultan, located outside the corner where the land walls meet the walls along the Golden Horn, is considered a sacred site for the Islamic world. Eyüp el Ensari was a standard bearer of Mohammed and he died here during an Arabic siege of the city in the 7th century. His grave was discovered at the conquest and later the mausoleum and the first mosque in Istanbul were built on this site. The original mosque
was destroyed in an earthquake and the present one was constructed in its place in 1800. The sultans succeeding Mehmet the Conqueror completed their coronation and sword bearing ceremonies with a visit to the Eyüp Sultan Mausoleum.

Bulgarian St. Stephen Church
In the Fener district, another significant building attracting attention with its amazing architecture is the Bulgarian Church. Its prominent location being a triangular islet on the shoreline between the districts of Fener and Balat, the church is impossible to miss. Considering the time period in which the church was constructed, the building techniques used seem to be quite interesting. As one of the first prefabricated buildings in the world, the church was completed just in one month. Molten iron sheets produced in Austria were sent to Istanbul and then mounted in place.

Fener Rum High School
The Fener Rum High School is associated with the districts of Fener and Balat with its glamorous architectural design. Since the school on the Sancaklar Hill was built with red bricks imported from France, it is known by the public as the "Red School". Its magnificent red tower can be seen from almost any part of the Golden Horn.