In 2010, Istanbul was honoured as the
European Capital of Culture. Even a brief sampling however, and you'd be
forgiven for thinking that was about 2,000 years overdue. Indeed that perhaps
it was somewhat short-changed on the continental front as it could easily claim
the designation for Asia too. Because this is more than a gem, it's the
proverbial crown jewels, encrusted with historic architectural and cultural
riches beyond the imagination of even the most ambitious of city builders. And goodness
knows, Istanbul has had more than a few of those across 25 centuries.
 |
| Golden hour as the sun descends over Istanbul. Photograph: Getty Images |
It's all about water. The Bosphorus Strait to
be more precise, and its 32km trade-lubricating connection between the Mediterranean
and the Black Sea, between West and East. Istanbul is the fulcrum about which
Eurasian business has pivoted since Byzantine times. It's a thriving waterway
still, along with the Golden Horn, an estuary which cleaves through the city to
meet the Bosphorus at the Sea of Marmara. This maritime geography is thrilling
revealed in the Raika Bar's wrap-round vista from the 20th floor of the luxurious
Marmara Taksim. There's the promise of a fabulous way to explore the city
afresh.
The bustling port at Eminönü near Galata
Bridge has several piers with ferries going in all directions. However I fancy
a shorter, less-cruised alternative and stroll down from my hotel on Taksim
Square to Kabataş. From here, you'll find rapid catamarans which speed up and
down the Strait, and out to Prince's Islands. While more traditional ferries make leisurely crossings to
Istanbul's Asian side, with payloads of commuters, shoppers and blow-ins. Small
open cafés line the waterfront and where better to sip a sweet çay (tea) from a tulip glass as you plan a trip. In front, a perpetual
shipping show traces back and forth, as this remains one of the world's busiest
commercial waterways.
 |
Land like a sultan at Dolmabahçe |
I decide on a hop-on, hop-off Golden Horn
Tour, but with an hour to kill before departure, start my water adventure at
nearby Dolmabahçe Palace. Less well known than Topkapi,
it is no less beautiful. With a series of spectacular gates from its gardens opening
directly onto the Bosphorus, sultans could arrive by barge just a few metres
from their Palace's steps. Built in 1856, it's splendidly ornate with
almost 300 rooms stretching along the waterside. Dolmabahçe is full of surprises: it looks as if it's built of stone, but is really
plastered wood. There's an actual Baccarat crystal staircase that we pad up in
surgical slippers and each enormous reception room is more dramatic than the
last.
Cruising up the Bosphorus later, the idea
of arriving home by barge doesn't quite seem so glamorous as it's no glassy
pond, rather properly lively. But the views are immense. Istanbul is another
city said to have been built on seven hills as the Byzantines, the Romans and
the Ottomans all expanded its reach and left their marks. We pass Sultanahmet and
Seraglio Point, a soaring riot of minarets and domes, with three world famous
sights - The Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia and Topkapi - all in a row, a
breathtaking cultural jackpot. 
There are remains of towering aqueducts
that brought water here and stored it in reservoirs such as the extraordinary underground
Basilica Cistern, its 336 columns like a fantasy from Harry Potter. The mighty
Theodosian walls, once stretching from the Marmara to the Golden Horn dissect
the city still. It's not surprising perhaps given they stood protecting what
was then Constantinople for almost 1000 years.
Istanbul looks defiantly forward too. Contemporary
Turkish life flourishes along the Golden Horn. Buzzing cafés and bars bask in
sunlight with Galata Tower behind. The upper tier of Galata Bridge is lined
with fishermen and the occasional fisherwoman, whilst the lower walkway is a
hive of activity lured by cheap street food and floating fish stalls. No wonder
it's one of Nobel-winning İstanbullu,
Orhan Pamuk's favourite haunts.
Next up, the modern towers and cables of
the Golden Horn Metro Bridge which can swing open to allow taller ships
through. Everywhere there's some eye-catching diversion. Our captain has to hit
the brakes (metaphorically) as a sea plane lands in front of us. The decommissioned
submarine tied up at a museum on the banks. There are ramshackle ship yards and
great houses. One waterfront yalı (or mansion) was
for sale here for €100m back in 2013.
Fellow
passengers board and disembark at various stops. Miniatürk seems particularly
popular: a model of the city with 100 miniatures of famous Istanbul landmarks. We
carve a gentle u-turn and hum back towards Kabataş. The sinking sum gives buildings
the other-worldy glow that compels cinematographers to the magic hour.
Suddenly,
we're in the movie, Istanbul as its exotic central character, hiding the
labyrinthine Grand Bazaar* showing off myriad mosques, its riches and mysteries
playing to us across this ancient waterway. And we've the best seat in the
house.
 |
The Bosphorus from the Marmara Taksim bar with Sultanahmet's minarets to the right |
(*explore it via James Bond)
This appeared in the Irish Times Magazine on June 13, 2015.
