Photos of the Bosphorus Bridge
Bosphorus Bridge
Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey - 15 July Martyrs Bridge
The Bosphorus Bridge is the first vehicular suspension bridge across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. It opened in 1973 and since 2016 has been officially named the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. It links the Ortakoy district on the European side near Besiktas and Beylerbeyi on the Asian side near Uskudar, forming part of the O-1 urban motorway.
It is a large steel suspension bridge: total length about 1,560 m, main span approximately 1,074 m, width about 33 m, tower height about 165 m. An under-bridge clearance of about 64 m provides for the passage of large vessels along the Bosphorus shipping lane. The bridge plays a key role in the city's road network, connecting the European and Asian sides.
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic on the bridge is closed for safety reasons. You can cross it only during rare organized events, including on the day of the Istanbul Marathon. For cars there is a one-way toll - typically from the Asian side to the European - with contactless payment via the HGS system.
For visitors, the bridge is of interest as an engineering structure and a landmark on the Bosphorus. It is convenient to view from the waterfronts on both sides of the strait and from the decks of city ferries or sightseeing boats. After sunset, dynamic LED lighting is switched on, making the bridge clearly visible from different points around the city.
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The Bosphorus Bridge is the first vehicular suspension bridge across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. It opened in 1973 and since 2016 has been officially named the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. It links the Ortakoy district on the European side near Besiktas and Beylerbeyi on the Asian side near Uskudar, forming part of the O-1 urban motorway.
It is a large steel suspension bridge: total length about 1,560 m, main span approximately 1,074 m, width about 33 m, tower height about 165 m. An under-bridge clearance of about 64 m provides for the passage of large vessels along the Bosphorus shipping lane. The bridge plays a key role in the city's road network, connecting the European and Asian sides.
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic on the bridge is closed for safety reasons. You can cross it only during rare organized events, including on the day of the Istanbul Marathon. For cars there is a one-way toll - typically from the Asian side to the European - with contactless payment via the HGS system.
For visitors, the bridge is of interest as an engineering structure and a landmark on the Bosphorus. It is convenient to view from the waterfronts on both sides of the strait and from the decks of city ferries or sightseeing boats. After sunset, dynamic LED lighting is switched on, making the bridge clearly visible from different points around the city.
A Bosphorus landmark best viewed from waterfronts and ferries.
Best viewpoints, timing, and access
On the European side, convenient viewpoints are in Ortakoy - by the square in front of the Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque - as well as along the Kurucesme waterfront and in Arnavutkoy. From here the pylons and the main span are clearly visible, especially when vessels pass under the bridge. In the evening the lighting highlights the contours of the structure, and the bridge stands out clearly against the Bosphorus.
On the Asian side, the bridge is best viewed from the Beylerbeyi waterfront, including from Beylerbeyi Palace, as well as from Cengelkoy with its tea gardens by the water. A panoramic view opens from the viewing terraces on Camlica Hill, from where the entire central stretch of the Bosphorus with the bridge and shoreline can be seen.
A good way to see the structure up close is to take a short Bosphorus river cruise: many routes pass directly under the span. Stopping on the bridge for photos is prohibited, and pedestrian and bicycle traffic is closed. You can cross the bridge only during rare organized events, for example during the Istanbul Marathon.
Ortakoy is easy to reach by city buses from Besiktas and Kabatas, and Beylerbeyi and Cengelkoy by buses from Uskudar; taxis and Bosphorus ferry services are also available. For drivers the toll applies in the direction from Asia to Europe and is collected without stopping via the HGS system - cash and bank cards are not accepted on site.
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