Leonardo da Vinci’s connections with Istanbul’s Galata bridge

  Hello friends!  

Today we will walk in the district of Galata bridge, which is one of the bustling places of Istanbul. Day and night tourists do not mind spending time in a beautiful historical place. 

Walking on the bridge, I always remember that there could be a project of the bridge of the great Leonardo da Vinci. But his creations were ahead of the technical power of the time.

They did not build a bridge under the Leonardo da Vinci project in Istanbul, but 500 years later in 2001 they built it in Norway. In the city of AC architect Vebjoern Sand brought to life the Leonardo da Vinci project - a wooden futuristic bridge. The next bridge will be in the US. The bridge will be completely stone. Norwegian architect Vebjoern Sand plans to build bridges of Leonardo da Vinci on all continents. So with confidence our generation has grown to the thoughts of a great genius. Who knows, perhaps in Istanbul once built such a bridge.

The Galata bridge also contains elements of the Leonardo da Vinci project. But this is not surprising. Modern engineers currently use many calculations, which left Leonardo. Sultan Beyazid II was afraid of the idea of Leonardo da Vinci. It seemed to him that very much imagination from the artist. The Creator of the project even asked the Sultan to act as the construction Manager 240 meter bridge, but the Sultan was categorical in the decision. And after all such bridge could become at that time the most large-scale in the world.  It should be noted, Leonardo da Vinci under the Turkish laws of those times could lose his head, in case of failure of construction.

The moveable Galata bridge connects the European side of Istanbul. From one side the Bosphorus, the other side of haliç (Golden horn). A picturesque place for walks. From all sides is clearly visible from Galata tower. This is another symbol of Istanbul.

The first mention in historical documents of the crossing between the banks of the European part of Istanbul - is 527-565 years. The crossing was built under Justinian the Great. Of course, all the buildings were made of wood.

Until 1922 the Galata bridge was made of wood. Passage and passage on the bridge have always been paid. And now it is a kind of business bridge. Lots of shops and restaurants on the ground floor. But for such pleasure it is possible and to pay. If you are an avid fisherman, you do not have to take fishing rods to Istanbul. Businessmen on the Galata bridge took care of it. You can rent fishing rods and enjoy the whole process!

Projects Galata bridge historically was very much. In 1844, the first wooden bridge was built, which connected Eminonu and Karakoy. It was called the new bridge or the Valide bridge. He has served 18 years. Its length was 500 meters.

The second modification of the Galata bridge occurred under Sultan Abdul-Aziz in 1863.  Sultan Abdul-Aziz was invited to Paris by the President of the French Republic Napoleon III. There was a long tour of Europe.  Abdul-Aziz was the first Sultan who traveled outside of Turkey for peaceful purposes.  After the return of the Sultan with retaliatory visit should was to come Napoleon III. The arrival prepare thoroughly! Galata bridge was built anew, it was made much wider, and the old bridge was moved to Unkapanı. But it was not destined to come to Napoleon III, instead of himself he sent his wife the Empress Eugene. But that's another story...

Wooden bridges did not serve much time. In 1870, the French company Forget et Chantiers de la Mediteranee signed a contract for the construction of a new bridge. But the war between Germany and France destroyed those plans.  In 1875, the British built a new wooden bridge. Length his was 480 meters, and width 14 meters. The cost of the bridge cost 105 thousand liras in gold. He served 37 years and remained paid all the time.

The next builders of the Galata bridge from 1912 were the Germans. MAN AG built a bridge that was 25 meters wide and 462 meters long. The cost of the bridge 350 thousand liras in gold. In may 1992, there was a strong fire on the bridge. The cause of the fire is unknown to this day. The bridge was reconstructed and moved to the inner part of the Golden Horn. Nowadays it hosts many cultural events. Called the bridge "old Galata bridge".

The modern Galata bridge in Istanbul is the fifth built bridge project in this place. It was built by the Turkish company will be executed by stfa.  The design and inspection was carried out by GAMB (Göncer Ayalp Engineering company). The modern bridge is a few meters away from the place where there were old bridges.

The modern Galata bridge has two floors. The ground floor is only pedestrian and filled with restaurants and shops. The bridge length of 484 meters, a width of 81 meters. The second floor consists of automobile lines, pedestrian zone. There is a high-speed tram line in the centre.

When we were building high-speed tram line, there was a lot of problems. When breeding bridge couldn't dock with tram lines. But the goal was allowed.

The market under the bridge and the restaurant complex opened in 2003. This is a very fishy place of Istanbul in the truest sense of the word. Here tradition even Turks to eat the fish. So quietly can enjoy Turkish fried fish in the local restaurants.

But be patient, there is always a huge number of people. All perched next to the bridge, stand on the bridge and walk in the surrounding area.

Sea buses now and then carry people to different sides of Istanbul.

This is a view of the seaport in Karakoy. Now there is a mass restoration of the coast.

Galata bridge is a bridge that connects two cultures. On the one hand it is new Istanbul (Beyoglu, Karakoy, Harbiye districts), on the other hand it is Old Istanbul (Fatih, Sultanahmet, Eminonu districts). Galata bridge has become an inspiration for many writers, artists, poets, Directors.

Under the Galata bridge.

With pleasure travel and be happy!

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