Audio GuideGalata Bridge

Spanning the waters of Istanbul’s Golden Horn, the Galata Bridge is much more than a simple crossing point between the historic and modern quarters of the city. Stretching for almost five hundred metres, the bridge connects the old heart of Istanbul, Eminönü, with the lively district of Karaköy, renowned for its constant buzz. Today, its walkways welcome pedestrians, while trams and cars pass overhead, and just below, a cheerful row of cafés and fish restaurants fills the air with the aroma of fresh seafood mixed with the tang of the sea.

Michał Rodkiewicz

The origins of this crossing date back more than one and a half thousand years. The earliest references are from the reign of Emperor Justinian in the sixth century. During the conquest of Istanbul in the mid-fifteenth century, Ottoman forces famously constructed a temporary bridge made from ships to allow their armies to cross. Over the centuries, ambitions for a permanent bridge continued to surface—at one point attracting Italy’s Leonardo da Vinci, who, in the early sixteen hundreds, designed an ambitious single-arch bridge for the site, but his plan was never realised. Michelangelo was also approached for a design but chose not to take on the challenge.

Еаликино Абинореал

It was not until the mid-nineteenth century that the first wooden Galata Bridge appeared, soon followed by a series of replacements as Istanbul grew. Each version reflected its era: simple wooden decks were replaced by floating bridges, and eventually by today’s modern bascule bridge, whose eighty-metre central section still lifts to let ships pass through. By the end of the nineteenth century, the bridge had become a city landmark—celebrated in books, depicted in paintings, and featured in films.

Ajwad Akashi

The Galata Bridge quickly became woven into the city’s daily life. Locals have long crossed its span for business, worship, or trade, while street vendors weave through the crowds selling simit and roasted chestnuts. Below, bustling eateries invite passers-by to pause for tea or grilled fish, their tables filled with friends and families. Legend even claims that the card game “bridge” took its name from here, as British soldiers would gather after crossing to enjoy coffee and cards.

Ali KILIÇ

In the past, tolls were collected from pedestrians, riders, and carriages—a practice which continued until the early nineteen-thirties. Nowadays, trams rumble past, cars speed across, and walkers come and go at all hours. The bridge remains a striking symbol—linking old with new, east with west, and tradition with modern life. Its spirit endures: fishermen line the rails, artists and writers find inspiration, and visitors from every corner of the world add their stories to Istanbul’s living history, right here where both sides of the city meet.