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The Valens Aqueduct (Turkish: Bozdoğan Kemeri, meaning “Aqueduct of the grey falcon”; Greek: Άγωγός του ὔδατος, Agōgós tou hýdatos, meaning simply “aqueduct“) was the major water-providing system of medieval Constantinople (modern Istanbul, in Turkey). Restored by several Ottoman Sultans, it is one of the most important landmarks of the city.

Location

The aqueduct stands in Istanbul, in the quarter of Fatih, and spans the valley between the hills occupied today by the Istanbul University and the Fatih Mosque. The surviving section is 921 meters long, about 50 meters less than the original length.^[1] The Atatürk Bulvarı boulevard passes under its arches.

Today it is usually called the Aqueduct of Valens, since it was finished in 368, during Valens’s reign, but there is reason to assume that it was already planned and begun in Constantine’s time.39 As mentioned above, the aqueduct runs parallel to one of the streets in the old part of Byzantium. Also, its southeastern
prolongation would exactly meet the main entrance of the courtyard in the Great Palace that is now the Mosaic Museum. It is obvious that the aqueduct  was planned in a clear relationship to the street system of the old town of Byzantium. Arches 26/27 and 52 are wider than the others in the aqueduct and were certainly
intended to serve as passages for streets.40 At other points where we would expect similar wider arches, the original construction is lost, for example, at the northwestern end close to the church of the Holy Apostles, where the aqueduct was completely rebuilt in Ottoman times.

History

Roman period

The construction of a water supply system for the city (then still called Byzantium) had begun already under the Roman emperor Hadrian.^[2] Under Constantine I, when the city was rebuilt and increased in size, the system needed to be greatly expanded to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population.^[3]

The Valens aqueduct, which originally got its water from the slopes of the hills between Kağıthane and the Sea of Marmara,^[4] was merely one of the terminal points of this new wide system of aqueducts and canals – which eventually reached over 250 kilometers in total length, the longest such system of Antiquity – that stretched throughout the hill-country of Thrace and provided the capital with water. Once in the city, the water was stored in three open reservoirs and over a hundred underground cisterns, such as the Basilica Cistern, with a total capacity of over 1 million cubic meters.^[5]

“Aqueduct of Valens (in the City)” (Istanbul) engraved by J.C.Bentley after a picture by W.H.Bartlett, published in The Beauties of the Bosphorus, 1838. Steel engraved print with recent hand colour. Good condition. Size 18 x 14.5 cms including title, plus margins. Ref G3331

The exact date that construction on the aqueduct began is uncertain, but it was completed in the year 368 during the reign of Roman Emperor Valens, whose name it bears. It lay along the valley between the third and fourth hills of Constantinople, occupied respectively at that time by the Capitolium and the Church of the Holy Apostles.^[6] According to tradition, the aqueduct was built using the stones of the walls of Chalcedon, pulled down as punishment in 366 after the revolt of Procopius.^[6] The structure was inaugurated in the year 373 by the urban prefect Klearchos, who commissioned a Nymphaeum Maius in the Forum of Theodosius, that was supplied with water from the aqueduct.^[6]a[›]

After a severe drought in 382, Theodosius I built a new line (the Aquaeductus Theodosiacus), which took water from the northeastern region known today as the “Belgrade Forest”.^[3]

East Roman (Byzantine) period

Other works were executed under Theodosius II, who decided to distribute the water of the aqueduct exclusively to the Nymphaeum, the Baths of Zeuxippus and the Great Palace of Constantinople.^[3] The aqueduct, possibly damaged by an earthquake, was restored under Emperor Justinian I, who connected it with the Cistern of the Basilica of Illus^b[›] (identified today either with the Yerebatan or with the Binbirdirek (Turkish: Turkish): “thousand and one columns”) cistern, and was repaired in 576 by Justin II, who built a separate pipe.^[6][7]

The aqueduct was cut by the Avars during the siege of 626, and the water supply was reestablished only after the great drought of 758 by Emperor Constantine V.^[6] The Emperor had the whole water supply system repaired by a certain Patrikios, who used a large labour force coming from the whole of Greece and Anatolia.^[6]

Other maintenance works were accomplished under Emperors Basil II (in 1019) and Romanos III Argyros.^[4][8]

The last Byzantine Emperor who took care of the aqueduct was Andronikos I Komnenos.^[7] Neither during the Latin Empire nor during the Palaiologan period were any repair works executed, but by that time the population of the city had shrunk to about 40,000 – 50,000 inhabitants, so that the water supply was no longer a very important issue.^[4] Nevertheless, according to Ruy Gonzáles de Clavijo, a Castilian diplomat who traveled to Constantinople en route to an embassy to Timur in 1403, the aqueduct was still functioning.^[6]

Ottoman period

After the Fall of Constantinople (1453), Sultan Mehmet II repaired the whole water supply, which was then used to bring water to the imperial palaces of Eski Sarayi (the first palace, built on the third hill) and Topkapı Sarayi, and connected it with a new line coming from the northeast. The great earthquake of 1509 destroyed the arches near the Mosque of Şehzade, which was erected some time later. This gave rise to the popular legend that they were cut, in order to allow a better view from the nearby mosque. The repairs to the water-supplying net continued under Beyazid II, who added a new line.^[8]

Around the middle of the 16th century, Suleyman I rebuilt arches (now ogival) 47 up to 51 (counted from the west) near the Şehzade Mosque, and commissioned the Imperial Architect Sinan to add two more lines, coming from the Forest of Belgrade (Belgrad Ormanı).^[4] The increased flow allowed the distribution of water to the Kιrkçeşme (“Forty Fountains”) quarter, situated along the aqueduct on the Golden Horn side, and so called after the many fountains built there under Suleyman.^[4]

Under Sultan Mustafa II, five arches (41-45) were restored, respecting the ancient form. An inscription in situ, dated 1696/97, commemorates the event.^[8] His successor Ahmed III repaired again the distribution net.^[8]

In 1912, a 50-meter-long part of the aqueduct near the Fatih Mosque was pulled down.^[4] In the same period, a new modern Taksim (“distribution plant”, lit. ‘division’) at the east end was erected.^[4]

Description

The Aqueduct of Valens

The Aqueduct of Valens had a length of 971 meters and a maximum height of ca. 29 meters (63 meters above sea level) with a constant slope of 1:1000.^[6] Arches 1-40 and 46-51 belong to the time of Valens, arches 41-45 to Mustafa II, and those between 52 and 56 to Suleyman I.^[9] Arches 18-73 have a double order, the others a single order.^[6][9]

Originally the structure ran perfectly straight, but during the construction of the Fatih Mosque – for unknown reasons – it was bent in that section.^[10] The masonry is not regular, and uses a combination of ashlar blocks and bricks.^[6] The first row of arches is built with well-squared stone blocks, the upper row is built with four to seven courses of stones alternated with a bed of smaller material (opus caementitium) clamped with iron cramps.^[10] The width of the aqueduct varies from 7.75 meters to 8.24 meters.^[6] The pillars are 3.70 meters thick, and the arches of the lower order are four meters wide.^[10]

The water comes from two lines from the northeast and one coming from the northwest, which join together outside the walls, near the Adrianople Gate (Edirne Kapı).^[1] Near the east end of the aqueduct there is a distribution plant, and another lies near Hagia Sophia. The water feeds the zone of the imperial palace.^[10] The daily discharge in the 1950s amounted to 6,120 cubic meters.^[10] During Byzantine times, two roads important for the topography of medieval Constantinople crossed under the eastern section of the aqueduct.^[10]

CISTERN of AETIOS

This open cistern in the northwest of the city was built in 421 and filled with water from the supply line leading to the Aqueduct of Valens. In the middle byzantine time, it was probably already used as a garden.

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(Beyazit, Kapalıçarşı Örüculer Kapısı Sok. 32)

It is located in Beyazit, near the roofed bazaar. Small and clean, it is known as “the back hamam” since it was the place most visited by the workers, who carried the products to the bazaar on their back. It has five “water tanks” and two heated marble surfaces on which you lie down for a massage. Opens at 6a.m. in the morning for 17 hours. For men only.
Kapalicarci Oruculer Kapisi Sokak No 32, Beyazit, Eminonu
+ 90 212 527 9263

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Native name: Yıldız Parkı
Yıldız Park , one of the largest public parks in Istanbul , is located in Yıldız quarter between the palaces of Yıldız and Çırağanin Beşiktaş district . The Park was originally part of Yildiz palace . When Abdulhamid II settled in the Palace , he included part of the forest into the border of the palace . The walled-park then was reserved only for palace dwellers . After the nationalization , forest area was expanded and the garden of Yıldız Palace was opened to the public .
Today , Yıldız Park is a beautiful garden with a very large collection of flowers , plants and trees , gathered from different parts of the world and dating from the Ottoman era . Park grounds provides a fascinating panoramic views of the Bosphorus . There are two beautiful old pavilions , namely Çadır and Malta pavilions , inside the park and are used as restaurants to rest , drink tea , eat breakfast and have lunch .
The park is divided into two sections , the outer section only is open to the public and contains the Şale , Çadır and Malta pavilions and the Yıldız porcelain factory . The vegetation of the park includes magnolia , bay leaves , Judas trees , silver limes and horse-chestnuts .
There are various trees such as oak , cypress , pine , yew , cedar and ash trees in the park . Besides , there are also two artificial lakes .

Malta Kiosk

The Malta Kiosk is a pavilion located in Yildiz Park to the north side of the wall separating Yildiz Palace. There are also two watching and resting pavilions in the grove being the rear garden of Ciragan Palace from the Abdul Aziz I period. The origin of the name is not certain but it is thought that during the Ottoman era certain parts of palaces were called after the names of conquered places, so this name is given after the conquest of Malta.

Malta Kiosk is an example of secular architecture of the 19th century. The outer facade is painted in yellow and green. The building was constructed by Sarkis Balyas and his brothers. During the Abdul Mecid I period, the architects have been influenced by the European architecture and motifs of nature, flowers, fruits and hunting animal figures have been widely used on the walls. Round marble columns, terraces, bedrooms, wooden and crystal halls have important features like neo-classical, neo-islamic and neo-Ottoman characteristics. The arches in S and C shapes originated from the Rococo style. Columns. palmets or sea shells have been added to the keystones of the arches. The baroque style of the 19th century has been reflected with oval windows, fluted cornices, flushed columns with small tower on ends. The vertical and horizontal elements have been balanced in the Empire style symbolising the Napoleonic period under the influence of Egyptian and Roman architecture.

The pavilion has four entrance doors. When entering from the side-door at the sea, one enters a big hall. There are balconies on the second floor facing the sea. In the middle of the hall there is a marble fountain adorned with a swan. There are big marble vases placed on bases. Four swans around the pool and six fishes placed around the vase embrace each other. There are jets at the tails of the fishes and the heads of the swans spraying water.

Both sides of the marble stairs are ground marble columns from ceilings to the floor. Just near the columns is a big jet ornamented with swans bending down its head to the water as well as leaves and flower designs carved into the marble.

On the upper floor are two small rooms and restrooms around the big hall.

There is a big fireplace in the big halls, surrounded with carved colour flower designs and there are balconies in front of the rooms and hall. The building was used as a hunting and resting pavilion with different hunting animals, flowers, vegetables and fruit motifs.

Two rooms on the upper floor are decorated with flower motifs. The main staircase is double-sided and carved. Sultan Abdul Hamid attached the pavilion to the Yildiz Palace and used it for resting and visiting. Like other pavilions of the Yildiz Palace, the Malta Kiosk has witnessed important historic events.

When the Ciragan raid masterminded by Ali Suavi in 1878 in order to overthrow Murad V failed, Sultan Abdul Hamid send him to this pavilion for security reasons, effectively keeping him there under house-arrest. The trial of Midhat Pasha took place in a tent behind the pavilion.

Following the exile of Sultan Abdul Hamid, Malta Kiosk remained unused for more than 40 years. In 1941, the large grove behind Yildiz Palace was turned into Yildiz Park, transferred to the Istanbul Municipality and openend to the public.

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It’s one of the oldest Byzantine cisterns of Istanbul; it was built by Philoxenus to the west of the Hippodrome as a huge water storage in the 4th century AD during the reign of Constantine the Great. The dimensions of the cistern are 64 x 56 meters with 15 meters of height and there were 224 original columns, out of which 212 of them survived until our days. The brick arches and the roof surrounded by tick walls are supported by these columns. Binbirdirek in Turkish means “Thousand and one columns”, referring probably to its many columns. During the Ottoman period it was used as a silk threads production atelier and unfortunately as a dump during the Republic period. It was opened to the public in 2002 after a long restoration period. Besides being a museum, today there are small shops, a restaurant and a cafeteria in the middle, the cistern is also used for special meetings during incentives and for small scale music concerts.

Open daily between 09:00-18:30
Tel: (212) 518 10 01

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This museum is located in the anchor casting workshop at the docks on the Golden Horn (Halic in Turkish), an area that symbolized industrialization in the Ottoman Empire of the 19th century. The anchor casting workshop was built in the era of Ahmet II (1703-1730) and the building’s foundations go back to a 12th century Byzantine construction. It was restored under Selim III and used by the Finance Ministry until 1951. After a fire in 1984, the building stood in ruins. In 1991, it was bought by the Rahmi Koc Museum and Cultural Foundation, restored and opened to the public in 1994.

On the first floor, motors and steam engines are displayed. On the second floor are the scientific instruments and communications apparatuses. The entrance is reserved for the aircraft department, mint machinery for printing paper money and coins, bicycles and motorcycles, the naval department and ship engines. In the open area, there is a coast guard life-boat, a tram, a narrow gauge steam train, and a vertical steam boiler. There is a submarine in the water.

Open daily between 08:30-17:00 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 256 71 53 and 54

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Beneath Istanbul lie hundreds of gloomy Byzantine cisterns. They’re left from the days when Istanbul was Constantinople.

The grandest of all is Yerebatan Saray Sarniçi, called the Basilica (or Sunken Palace) Cistern because of its size (70 x 140 meters, or 2.4 acres), its capacity (80,000 cubic meters—over 21 million US gallons) and its 336 marble columns.

Remember the scene in the old James Bond movie From Russia With Love when Bond is rowing in a small boat through a forest of marble columns? That scene was filmed in Yerebatan.

Walkways and atmospheric lighting were installed during the 1990s so you can see all its curious corners. There’s even a little cafe for drinks and snacks.

Yerebatan is in Sultanahmet Square, at the northeastern end of the Hippodrome, just off Divan Yolu, and across the street from Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia). The entrance (see the photo to the right) is on Yerebatan Caddesi; the exit is opposite Ayasofya on Alemdar Caddesi.

A visit can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. There’s a few dollars’ admission fee.

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Sultanahmet/Yerebatan.html

http://www.yerebatan.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern

THE HISTORY OF THE BASILICA CISTERN

One of the magnificent historical constructions of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern, located near south-west of Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia). This huge cistern, which was founded by Justinianus I, a Byzantine Empire (527-565), began to be called by the public �the Sinking Palace� � and not without a reason, seeing the great number of marble columns arising out of the water. In place of the cistern was formerly found a great Basilica, which had probably been built in IIIrd or IVth century during the Early Roman Age to be used in commercial and legal affairs and scientific and artistic activities. The basilica was reconstructed by Ilius after it had burned down in a conflagration that broke out in 476. Then it suffered another conflagration. It had a marble statue during the calamitous Nika rebellion in 532 which terrorized the city.

It is narrated in former references that there was a garden here, surrounded by a colonnade, which faced Ayasofya. It is also added that there was a bronze statue of the Prophet Solomon in the garden, with his hand on his chin looking in amazement at Ayasofya, which was even more marvellous than his work. The mentioned statue was later removed by the Emperor Basilius I (867-886). As is known, the temple that been erected by the Israeli King, the Prophet, Solomon in Jerusalem in his name had been known as the most magnificent work on earth until Ayasofya was constructed. It is further narrated that the Emperor Basilius had the said statue melted and had his statue erected on the spot. The Emperor Justinianus had this cistern built in 542 on the site of the great basilica that had been destroyed in a conflagration.

Again, it is narrated that 7.000 slaves worked in the construction of the cistern. In fact, the cistern borrowed its name from Ilius Basilica in the vicinity. The water of Basilica Cistern came from Eğrikapı Water Distribution Centre in Belgrade Forest, 19 kilometers from the city, through the 971-meter-long Valens (Bozdoğan) Aqueduct, which was built by the Emperor (368) and the 115.45-meter-long Mağlova Aqueduct, which was built by the Emperor Justinianus.

The plan of the Basilica Cistern was drawn by a group of German divers in the early years of this century, according to which it is a giant construction located in a rectangular area with its length of 140 meters and with of 70 meters. Inside this cistern, into which you descend with 52 stone steps, are found 336 columns each 9 meters high and 4.80 meters apart, which are arranged in 12 rows of 28 each. These columns arising out of water remind an endless forest, thus affecting visitors as soon as they entered the cistern. The ceiling weight of the cistern was transferred to the columns by means of cross-shaped vaults and round arches. The columns the majority of which appear to have been taken from older buildings and which were engraved from diverse types of marble and granite are composed of one piece while some were made up of two pieces that were put one on another. Also, there seem to be different features between the tops of these columns. For instance, while 98 of them reflect Corinth Type, some others reflect Dor Type. The 4.80 meter-thick brick walls of the cistern and the brick floor of the cistern were plastered with a thick layer of Horasan mortar and made water-resistant.

This cistern that was laid on an area of total 9.800 m2 has the capacity to store 100.000 tons of water. The great majority of the columns in the cistern, excluding the few cornered or grooved ones, are in the form of cylinder, among which the one that was embroidered with repeatedly engraved and raised pictures of Hen�s Eye, Slanting Branches and Tears particularly draw attention. As a matter of fact, this column has resemblance to the columns in the Triumphal Arch of Great Theodesius belonging to the IVth century (379-395) erected in the �Farum Tauri� Square during the Byzantine Empire, the remains whereof are now found in today�s Beyazıt Square. According to a narration, the reason why the figures thereon resemble tears is that it was erected to the memory of hundreds of slaves who died during the construction of the Great Basilica and has ever told their tragedy throughout centuries.

The part that goes through the middle section of the cistern and intrudes through the south-west wall as an irregular projection the length whereof is 40 meters and width 30 meters was actually the walls that were built during the restorations in earlier years so that they could bear the weight. As 40 columns remain behind these walls, 9 columns at the longest part and 2 at the narrowest, they are not in vision. The two Medusa heads used as pedestals at the bottom of the two columns in the north-west corner of the cistern are of the masterpieces of the Roman Cagi Art of Statuary. Although there is no certain proof as to from which building these heads pertaining to IVth century � which are watched by visitors in great admiration – were taken, it is generally agreed by researchers that they were taken from an antique building pertaining to the Young Roman Age. Yet, although there seems to be no written evidence explaining that they were used as pedestals of columns, it is again generally certified by researchers that the Medusa heads were used only because they were needed as the pedestals of columns in the construction of the Cistern.

If we wish to journey back to the early ages of history about the great number of rumors that were based upon the mythology about Medusa, we could hear narrations like this:

According to a narration, Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, the female dragons of the underground in the Greek Mythology. Of those three sisters only Medusa with snakes for the hair was positive and had the power to turn those that looked at her into stone. Therefore, it is thought that in that period Gorgon-heads, figures and statues were put with an aim to protecting great buildings and special places and Medusa was also placed there with that contemplation.

Still, according to another narration, Medusa was a girl that boasted of her black eyes, long hair and graceful figure, who had long been in love with Perseus, the son of Zeus, a Greek idol. In the meantime, Athene, a female idol, was also in love with Perseus and therefore envied Medusa. For that reason, Athene changed Medusa�s hair into horrible snakes. From then on, whomever Medusa looked at, he was petrified. Later, seeing her in that form Perseus thought in astonishment that Medusa had been bewitched and then he beheaded her. Thereafter, he took her head in his hand and exposed it to his enemies and petrified them and thus won a lot of wars. It is thus rumored that after that event Medusa�s head was engraved �either upside down or in an oblique position – in the handles of swords and on the pedestals of columns in ancient Byzantium.

Yet, according to another rumor, because of her ability to petrify those that looked at her, Medusa saw herself, sometimes in Perseus�s sword and sometimes in the mirror, and thus changed herself into stone. Accordingly, the sculptor who made the statue here carved Medusa in three different positions by the reflection positions of light: 1) The normal one, which is now in Didim; 2) The statue which is upside down; 3) The oblique one that is now here was brought from Didim. The two gigantic Medusa heads, which are of the masterpieces of the Roman Cagi Statuary, go on attracting the great attention of people with their positions – upside down or oblique � the water in the Basilica Cistern has been dropping harmoniously ever since and murmuring the song of Medusa to the visitors who promenade in the dim arcane atmosphere of the cistern.

Ever since its foundation, the Basilica Cistern has undergone several reparations and restorations. The first restoration of the cistern, which was restored twice during the Ottoman State, was fulfilled in 18th century during the reign of Ahmed III (1723) by the Architect Muhammad Agha of Kayseri. The second big reparation was realized in 19th century during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876-1909). As the eight columns situated in front of the northeast wall of the Cistern towards the middle of the Cistern suffered the risk of breakage during a construction in 1955-1960, each of these was put inside a thick concrete layer, thus losing their former features. The Basilica Cistern has undergone several reparations and restorations ever since its foundation.

The Underground Cistern, which covered a large area during the Byzantine Empire and provided water to the great palace, where the emperors lived, and the vicinity, was used for a further while after the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottomans in 1453 and the gardens of Topkapı Palace were irrigated with the water from the cistern. It is understood that the Ottomans, who preferred running water to still water, did not use the cistern after they had established their own water facilities. The cistern remained unknown to the West until mid-XVI. century. Then the cistern was discovered by P. Gyllius, a Dutch traveler, who visited Istanbul in 1544-1550 with a view to studying the remains of the Byzantine, and introduced to the west by him. In one of his researches, when – while he was walking around Ayasofya – P. Gyllius was told that the homefolk of the houses in the vicinity drew water from the large round well-like holes found in their basements with the buckets they dropped down and that they even caught fish, he managed to go down into the cistern armed with a torch through the stone steps in the garden of a wooden house, which was surrounded with walls, which was found upon a large underground cistern. Under very difficult conditions, P. Gyllius managed to sail around in the cistern and measured it and witnessed the columns. P. Gyllius, who wrote his discoveries and knowledge in his published travelogue, impressed a great number of travelers. Thereupon, all the travelers that visited Istanbul throughout centuries could not afford not to see this magnificent work.

Yet, another author who studied the Basilica Cistern is G. İnciciyan, a historian-researcher. He writes on the Underground Cistern – while he describes the situation of Istanbul in XVIII. Century – in his work entitled �History of Istanbul� as follows: �This cistern, which is located south-west of Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), half a mile away, among houses, was built by Great Constantius under the Great Palace. It bore the name Basilika Kinotexna. Particularly in winter there were fish in the cistern that was filled like a sea. In fact, it is thought that water came there from the Brook Alibeyköy by means of underground canals. �Here, in saying that the Basilica Cistern was built by Great Constantius (324-337), P. İnciciyan has been mistaken like many researchers and historians��

Edmando De Amicis, an Italian author, who visited Istanbul towards the end of XIX. century (1874), describes in his work entitled Constantinapoli (Istanbul), wherein he gives his readers rich information on the social life and historical works of the city, by the beauty whereof was enchanted, the arcane atmosphere of the Basilica Cistern in a poetic language as follows: �I entered the garden of a Muslim�s house, descended to the end of dark, humid steps and found myself under the domes of the Great Basilica Cistern of the Byzantium, which was unknown by the Istanbulers how it ended. The greenish water that is partly enlightened by washing-blue light � which further increases the horror of the darkness � vanishes under the dark domes while the walls shine with the water running down thereon thus dimly discovering the endless rows of columns everywhere like the trunks of trees in a pruned forest.�

The Basilica Cistern, about which such many stories have ever been told, was changed into a museum and opened to visitors by the Istanbul Municipality after the reparations and restorations it has undergone during the Republican Age. Before the cistern has been restored into its present condition, with the works started in 1985 50.000 tons of mud was taken out and a promenade platform was built. This restoration work was completed in 1987 and the cistern was re-opened to visits. In May 1994, the Basilica Cistern underwent a further great cleaning and maintenance and thus it began to continue its adventure with fish therein as it did in the past. While visitors to the Cistern observe the fish swim among the columns on the one hand, they sip their coffee in the company of the classical music played continuously on the other, thus dive into an arcane journey into the depths of history…

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Rumeli Kavagi

In its heyday a wall connected each castle to the quay, from which a mole projected into the channel on each side. Here the Byzantines collected tolls and customs dues from passing ships. In time of danger they could cut off all shipping with a chain linking the moles a formidable continuous line of defense from hilltop to hilltop.

Telli Baba Shrine is set on the very edge of the water. is the turbe of Telli Baba, a holly man whose turbe is one of the most popular shrines in the area, for Telli Baba is thought to be especially helpful to women who wish for a husband. The supplement leaves a strand of tinsel on the holy mans tomb, taking a second strand away with her. When the wish is granted she returns to give thanks and to leave the second strand of tinsel on the tomb.

Rumeli Kavagi: This neighborhood marks the last boat pier on the European side of the Bosphorus. On the rock of the lighthouse stands the Column of Pompeii which was part of an ancient shrine

Rumeli Kavagi, the last station on the European side, below a castle built by Murat IV in 1628. On a hill to the north are the ruins of the Byzantine Castle of Imroz Kalesi, the walls of which once reached right down to the sea and were continued by a mole, which could be linked by a chain with the mole and walls of Yoroz Kalesi on the Asiatic side. Visit the lighthouse in the neighborhood of Rumeli Kavagi. The Column of Pompeii, part of an ancient shrine, stands on the rock of the lighthouse.
In summer the boats usually go on (5minutes) to the resort of Altinkum (Golden Sand), with a restaurant on the plateau of an old fortification (view).
The tourist boats continue to the north end of the Bosporus (4.7km/3mi wide) and turn back when they reach the Black Sea. On both sides bare basalt cliffs rise almost vertically from the sea.

Evliya Celebi tells us that the quadrilateral castle at Rumeli Kavagi measured 300 metres across and that there were sixty houses for the soldiers of the garrison and a hundred cannon inside its walls. The castle facing it on the opposite shore at Anadolu Kavagi was also quadrilateral, measuring 240 metres across and with walls 20 m in height. It contained eighty houses to accommodate the garrison and one hundred cannon.
The French artillery engineer Francois Baron de Tott, who arrived in Turkey in 1755, supervised some additions to the castles on the Bosphorus, and in 1770 strengthened two of the castles on Canakkale Strait.

Today’s Rumeli Feneri (the Rumeli Lighthouse), situated at the point farthest north along the European side of the Bosphorus, was built in the 19th century, but there had been lighthouses in the same place during previous centuries. The Ali Macar Reis Atlas (16th century) gives the coordinates of a lighthouse on exactly the same spot. According to records from the 17th century, the top of Rumeli Feneri was reached by 110 stone steps, and eight “okka” (10264 grammes) of dolphin fat were burned there from dusk to dawn. In the 18th century, it was believed that if the oil lamp of the mystic Sary Saltyk went out, the lighthouse light would also be extinguished. Rumeli Feneri, a village on the promontory where the Bosphorus unwinds into the Black Sea, is a fishermen’s hamlet with a harbour hewn out of solid rock, dominated by the lighthouse.
This spot was known as Panium in ancient times. The great rocks offshore from Rumeli Feneri, known as the Kyanae or the Symplegadae, are celebrated in mythology.

When the Argonauts were seeking the Golden Fleece they let a wine-coloured (oinas) dove fly between these magic rocks that used to approach and strike one another with thunderous sound and then draw apart again. They followed the bird on its route, led by the goddess Athena. Drawing strength from the sound of the Thracian Orpheus’ lyre and chorusing songs that drowned out those of the sirens trying to lead them to their doom, they were able to reach the Black Sea. (According to myth, wine-coloured doves fed the infant Zeus in a Cretan Cave and offered him ambrosia, the elixir of immortality.) Certain mythographers claim that Triton, a sea-god rising from the depths of the Bosphorus, held the gigantic rocks apart as the Argo sailed through and that the Symplegadae never moved again. The boat Argo (Swift), bearing the name of its legendary builder, Argus, boasted mythological heroes as oarsmen, among them Hercules the Invincible. The Argo’s figurehead was a bough from Zeus’ Prophetic Oak. Antique sources and mythographers such as Apollonius, Apollodorus,

Valerius Placcus and Hygnius offer often contradicting information as far as the names and number of the Argonants are concerned.
With those who leave the Argo “en route” and yet others who join the expedition at various points, the list reaches impressive proportions. Among the most celebrated are Argus the Boat-builder, Asclepius the Healer, Atalanta the Huntress, Glaucus the Fisherman, Phineus the Soothsayer, Orpheus the Minstrel and Tiphys the Helmsman. The “Argonautica” of Apollonius of Rhodes (Apollonius Rhodius, 3rd century BC) and the “Bibliotheca” of Apollodorus (2nd century BC) relate the myth of the Golden Fleece in detail. Jason, the Captain of the Argonauts, was the grandson of Cretheus, the son of Aeson (King of Iolcus) and student of the Learned Centaur Chiron. Living in the Thessalian woodlands, Chiron was skilled in the art of medicine, and it is written that he gave the Prince of Iolcus his name, Jason (“Healer”).

The Golden Fleece, hidden in the Sacred Wood of Ares in the Kingdom of Colchis, somewhere along the shore of the Black Sea, had come from a flying ram sacrificed to Zeus. Born of Poseidon the Sea God and Theophane the Thracian, the ram had been sent by the goddess Hera and brought over by Hermes, Messenger of the Gods. Its pure gold fleece was guarded by Phrixus, son of Athamas (King of Boetia) and of Nephele (Goddess of the Clouds). With the assistance of Phineus the Soothsayer and Medea, High Priestess of the Temple of Hecate, the Argonauts reach Colchis and bring home the Golden Fleece. Classical mythology relates that Helle, Princess of Boeotia, fell into the deep waters of the gulf separating the bulks of Europe and Asia while riding the flying Golden Ram, thus giving the strait its name, the Hellespont (Helle’s Sea). Today it is known as the Dardanelles. The Temple of Apollo that stood on top of the rock near Rumeli Feneri is mentioned in the legends. It is also said that Apollo would transform himself into a dolphin and guide Tiphys the Helmsman.

In Byzantine times, a high column named the Pompeius Column was erected on this rock to prevent shipwrecks. The Ottomans gave the name Mavi Kayalar (the Blue Rocks), A?layan Kayalar (the Weeping Rocks) or Kanly Kayalar (the Bloody Rocks) to these great stones protruding from the sea. Later, they came to be known as Kocata? (the Great Stone) and Körta? (the Blind Stone).

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Burc Beach is located in Kilyos which is 15 km. from city center to the north.It has a sandy golden beach with gigantic waves most of the time..The water is very clean and shallow for a 100 m.The beach is a club owned by alumni Bogazici University and accept guests too. You can enjoy a good crowd of a thousand in the weekends . Admission is around 10 dollars and the bar is very groovy with dj performances as well.
Right next to Burc Beach, you may join a more snobbish crowd in Solar Beach. All guests are wellcomed and the admission is around 15 dollars..
tanbullu\\\’lara tüm gün süresince tam bir tatil kompleksi olarak hizmet veren beach clublar (sahil club), yaz aylarında sıcaktan bunalan ve keyifli bir tatil günü geçirmek isteyenleri ağırlıyor. İstanbul\\\’un denize girilebilir sahillerindeki “beach club”larda çeşitli spor aktiviteleri, yarışmalar, kumsal partileri, konserler, festivaller düzenleniyor. Her türlü ihtiyacın düşünüldüğü tesisle; restoran, bar, cafeleri ve çeşitli etkinlikleri  ile İstanbullu\\\’lara güney sahillerinde gibi eğlenceli bir tatil günü sunuyor. Beach Clublar, fiyatları ve etkinlikleri rehberiniz 2006 yaz aylarında da sizlerle.
İstanbul Havuzlar Yaz 2006 Rehberi için tıklayın

BURC BEACH
Boğaziçi Üniversitesi\\\’nin tesisi olan Burc Beach, İstanbul\\\’un kuzey sahilinde Karadeniz\\\’in incisi Gümüşdere\\\’de yer alıyor. Sabah saatlerinden itibaren gününüzün dolu dolu geçmesini için her türlü akitivitenin bulunduğu Burc Beach\\\’in 2 km\\\’lik kumsalı bulunuyor. Su sporları ve plaj sporları olarak kiteboard, katamaran, windsurfing, bodyboard, skimboard, wavesurf yapılmaktadır.Ahşap güneşlenme “deck”leri, şemsiye ve şezlongları, 150 kişilik cafesi, 600 araçlık kapasiteli otoparkı, beach barı, lezzetli plaj ve yaz yemekleri, günbatımında düzenlenen “beach party”leri ile özellikle haftasonları eğlence, spor ve müziğin adreslerinden biri haline geliyor. Burc Beach\\\’in fiyatları ise; Üyelere hafta içi: 10 YTL, hafta sonu 15 Y TL. Misafirlere hafta içi: 20, hafta sonu 25 Y TL. Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Mensublarına hafta içi ücretsiz, hafta sonu 5 YTL. Ayrıca Boğaziçililer yakın dostlarını da Burç Beach\\\’e abonman yapabilirler. Fiyatlar şöyledir: Üye abonman 150 YTL, üye aile 200 YTL, misafir abonman 250 YTL, Misafir aile 400 YTL.
Bümed (Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Mezunları Derneği), her hafta sonu Burc Beach\\\’e Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Güney kampüsten servis kaldırıyor. 09:00\\\’da Güney Kampüs meydanından kalkan servsler, dönüşte 18:00\\\’de Burc Beach otoparından kalkıyor. Üye için servis ücreti 22,50 YTL. Misafir için ise 32,50 YTL. Öğrenci ve Personel için 12,50 YTL
Adres: Demirciköy, Kilyos Telefon: Rezervasyon için: 0212 359 58 00 / 134-135 (rezervasyonlar cuma akşamı 21:00\\\’a kadar yapılmalıdır).

SOLAR BEACH
2002 yaz sezonunda faaliyet geçen Solar Beach, 30.000 m2\\\’yi aşan alanıyla Türkiye\\\’nin en büyük özel plaj ve açık hava performans merkezi olma özelliğini taşımakta. Solar Beach, Kilyos\\\’ta gündüzü ve gecesiyle 24 saati dolu dolu yaşayan bir ‘vaha\\\’… Genis altyapı olanakları, otopark alanları, özel plaji, catering alternatifleri, konser ve performans sahneleri, sinirsiz spor alternatifleri, tüm yaz sezonuna yayılan gündüz ve gece aktiviteleri ile Solar Beach, İstanbul için yaz aylarının ‘vazgeçilmez\\\’i… Konukların hizmetine sunulmuş olan 1 kilometrelik özel plajın haricinde yararlanabilecekleriniz: Axess Lounge (400 kişiye kadar yemek servisi imkanı),  Beach Bar, Solar Bar (40 metrelik ana bar), BBQ Corner, Performanslarda kullanılan 6 modüler bar, Performanslarda kullanılan 4 ek yiyecek servis noktası, Çocuklu ailelere yönelik Kids Club, 3.000 kişilik şezlong ve minder, 9 adet güneşlenme terası, 2000 araçlık özel otopark, 3 ayrı bölümde 60 adet WC, 40 adet duş ve soyunma kabinleri. Solar Beach hafta içi 09:00-16:00 arası, hafta sonuda 09:00-18:00 arası hizmet verecektir. Haftaiçi giriş: 15 YTL, Haftasonu giriş: 25 YTL. 6-12 yaş grubu çocuklara %50 indirim yapıldığı gibi 0-6 yaş grubuda ücretsiz girebilir.
Adres: Turban Yolu Caddesi 4 – Kilyos Telefon: 0212 201 21 39 (PBX)

ma Koyu Telefon: 216 381 69 13

NON-STOP BEACH
Kilyos kıyısında 24 Haziran\\\’da hizmete giren non-stop beach deniz,kum ve güneşin tadını çıkarmak için ideal bir beach. Giriş ücreti ve servis bakımından diğer beachlerden farklı olan non-stop beach\\\’te hafta sonları Njoy Sport Club eğitmenleri eşliğinde aerobic, tae-bo, pilates, aquagym, yoga, body pump gibi spor aktiviteleri yapabilmek fırsatınız var. Beach volley, parti ve konserlerin olduğu non-stop beach\\\’te ayrıca her hafta sonu DJ partiler verilmekte,jetsky,banana,kano ve deniz bisikletine binebilirsiniz. Hafta içleri 09:00-00:00 arası hizmet veren non-stop beach, hafta sonlarıda 24 saat hizmet vermektedir.Hafta içi giriş fiyatları 09:00-19:00 arası 10 YTL. Bu fiyata şezlong,sehpa ve şemsiyede dahil. Hafta sonları ise 15 YTL. Buraya ulaşmak için, Taksim AKM, Levent metro çıkışı, Şişli Cevahir önünden kalkan servislerden faydalanabilirsiniz.Saat 20:00 den sonraki fiyatlar organizasyon bedeli olacaktır.
Adres: Kilyos Turban Yolu No:4 Kilyos Telefon: 0212 219 22 93 – 230 21 04

http://www.istanbul.net.tr/istanbul_beach_club.asp

http://www.solarbeach.net/default.asp?lngtr

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