Istanbul

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Istanbul (Port of entry)

Chart of Istanbul Region
Click for larger view

Background

Istanbul (Εις την Πόλι - is tin Poli - to the city) the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Κωνσταντινούπολις (Constantinoupolis - the city of Constantine) or, as it is known to all the Greeks, simply as "η Πόλις" (i Polis - the City) has been dominating the history of Eastern Mediterranean for almost 1800 years. Today it is a thriving metropolis of 7,550,000 inhabitants and its is Turkey's largest city. It is a fascinating place where East meets West, Islam meets Christianity, and Greeks meet Turks.

Istanbul started life as a modest Greek settlement, Byzantium, founded by colonists from Megara. In in 330 AD the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of his empire to Byzantium and renamed it Nova Roma (New Rome). At his death the empire was split by his sons into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. The later evolved into the Byzantine Empire. The original language of the empire was, of course, Latin but later in the 7th century it was supplanted by Greek.

The Empire reached it peak during the rein of Justinian and Theodora (483 - 548). It was during this time the Hagia Sophia which still dominates Istanbul's skyline was built. Eventually the Empire went into a decline and by the time of the Fourth Crusade was so weakened that the crusaders capured it 1204.In 1261 the Byzantines recovered their city and the Empire, a shadow of its glorious past, lingered for over 200 more years.

In the mean time, around the 11th century a Turkish tribe, the Seljuqs started migrating and conquering lands in Anatolia. Their empire collapsed in the 13th. One of its constituents Turkish tribes, the Söğüt was settled in the river valley of Sakarya started to fill the vacuum. They became known as "Ottomans" after Osman (1258–1326) one of their early leaders who united them. By the time Mehmet I| became their sultan in 1451 they had become the major power and dominated all the former Byzantine lands. Fulfilling Murad’s (his father) dream in April 1453 he besieged Constantinople and on 29 May 1453 the city fell and the Byzantine Empire ceased to exist.

The city now was the capital of the Ottoman Empire which for dominated the Mediterranean region for the next 400 years. It was a large, cosmopolitan, and for its day fairly enlightened empire. Under it many cultures flourished. At the height of its power (16th–17th century), it spanned three continents, controlling much of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. It stretched from the Strait of Gibraltar (and, in 1553, the Atlantic coast of Morocco beyond Gibraltar) in the west to the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf in the east, and from the edge of Austria, Hungary and parts of Ukraine in the north to Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and Yemen in the south. On November 1, 1922 the last emperor, Mehmed VI, following Turkey's defeat at World War I, was deposed and on October 29, 1923 the Ottoman Empire also eased to exist. It was succeeded by the Republic of Turkey with its capital in Ankara. The Republic's leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of modern Turkey, started a vast modernization campaign bringing his country into the 20th century.

Today's Istanbul is a thriving city, and with its history and monuments one of the most fascinating places that a cruiser, or any other visitor, can visit.

Charts

BA

224 Maramara Denizi

1005 Marmara Adasi to Istanbul Boğazi

NIMA

55040 Sea of Marmara

Turkey

29 Marmara Sea

292 İstanbul - Mudanya

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Approach and Navigation

Approaching Bosphorus
Click for larger view

The approach to Istanbul and Bosphorus, the narrow channel that separates Europe from Asia from the sea is one of the most breathtaking sites one can ever see. You can see the suspended Bosphorus Bridge, Agia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace to the north, and the palaces and mansions which line both sides of the channel.

The traffic in the narrow channel is horrific. Boats are everywhere: large steamers coming from or going to the Black Sea, ferryboats cutting across at high speed, cruise ships, motor cruisers, small fishing boats, even a couple of sail boats all in an anarchic mess, totally oblivious of any rules of navigation avoiding each other, as if by miracle. The water is very polluted.

See also Marmara Sea.

Check-in facilities

There are several anchorages near Istanbul. The two most important are the Ataköy and the Kalamis Marinas.

If you are either entering or exiting Turkey the staff of the marinas may be able to help you. But, bear in mind that these marinas mainly cater to local yachts and their staff may not be very familiar with the official procedures. The Turkish officials are in the Karaköy district. It is better to go there yourself.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Ataköy Marina
• Kalamış & Fenerbahçe Marinas

Anchorages

See Bosphorus.

Offshore Islands

See Marmara Sea.

Routes/Passages To/From

• Bosphorus
• Marmara Sea

Tourism & things to do ashore

There are so many things to see and do in Istanbul that we cannot possibly cover but the barest essentials. It is best to consult one of the many tourist guides.

Hagia Sophia

Blue Mosque

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace was the sultan's (Ottoman Emperor) residence from 1465 to 1853. Construction of the palace was started in 1459 AD under the sultan Mehmed II. At one time it housed about 4,000 people. Now it a museum where you can see magnificently illuminated manuscripts, the Prophet's bow and sword, the famous emerald-encrusted dagger of the Mehmed II (remember the Topkapi movie with Melina Merkouri and Peter Ustinov), the Spoonmaker's Diamond, etc. You can also visit the harem section which was opened to the public just a few years ago. It is really hard to see how about 400 women were kept indoors, prisoners for life, in such a small, although gilded, cage. From the harem one has access to a lovely garden overlooking the Sea of Marmara.

The Courtyard of the Favorites in Topkapi Click for larger view

Dolma Baçe Palace

Grand Bazaar

Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern
Click for larger view

The Basilica Cistern is a most impressive underground cistern. It was bult in during the reign of emperor Justinian I in the 6th century. It is an underground chamber of 143 by 65 metres with 336 marble columns. It is easy visit as it is right accross from Hagia Sophia.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

• Fuel - Both the Ataköy and Kalamis marinas have a fueling dock
• Water - Both the Ataköy and Kalamis marinas provide water to each berthed yacht at the dock
• Electricity - Both the Ataköy and Kalamis marinas provide electricity outlets for each yacht at the dock

Laundry

• There are laundry machines in Ataköy Marina
• The staff of the Kalamış & Fenerbahçe Marinas can arrange for next day laundry service at a high price. They do not wash underwear!

Grocery & Supply Stores

• There are several supermarkets within walking distance from Kalamis Marina
• Of course, there is the Grand Bazaar where you can find almost anything.

Eateries

• In general there are numerous very good restaurants in Istanbul
• The Darüzziyafe is a traditional Turkish restaurant near the Süleymaniye Cami (Mosque), its food is outstanding
• The restaurant within the Kalamis compound serves excellent food

Internet/WiFi

In the marinas and in cafés.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Car rental can be arranges at the marinas, however, driving in Istanbul is not for the faint hearted.

Marine Stores & Facilities

• There is a chandlery within Ataköy Marina
• There is a chandlery near the Kalamis Marina
• The best chandleries, however, can be found in the Karaköy district

Repairs

Transportation

• International airport with connections almost anywhere in the world.

References & Publications

See Turkey.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Istanbul (Wikipedia)
• Constantinoupolis

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• August 1999 --Istioploos 15:55, 21 July 2008 (MDT)

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