A source of inspiration for poets, Istanbul is also a source of attraction for tourists for its beauties surviving from past to present. One of the places every visitor of Istanbul wants to see is the Estuary called the “Golden Horn” by the tourists. 

Have you ever wondered why the Estuary, this uniquely beautiful region of Istanbul with the necklace-like bridges spanning over it and the crowds of people flowing between its sides incessantly, is called the Golden Horn? If this question confuses you, too, you have come to the right place. We would like to explain to you the reasons why this region where you can enjoy the most beautiful scene of the city is called the Golden Horn, the meaning of this name mentioned in folk tales and legends… 

With its waters flowing into the Bosphorus, the Estuary is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the city… Another one of the must-see points for the tourists coming to this city is obviously the Grand Bazaar. With its almost 4,000 shops and over 25,000 workers, the Grand Bazaar that hosts 500,000 people in busy days is one of the world’s greatest and oldest bazaars. 

Covering an area of 30,700 square-meters, the bazaar resembles almost a city with its 66 streets and 4,000 shops. This gigantic bazaar that is totally indoor used to have 5 mosques, 1 school, 7 fountains, 10 wells, 1 public fountain, 1 shadirvan, 24 doors, and 17 inns back in the days. Center of trade for long years, the Grand Bazaar was full of the jewelry shops in the Ottoman era. Today, the jewelry shops are still mostly located on the street that is regarded as the main avenue of the bazaar while the goldsmiths work on a side street opening to the main avenue. 

Rumor has it that, the dusts of the gold processed for centuries in the Grand Bazaar located at the center of Beyazit, Nuruosmaniye, and Mercan wards flow into the Estuary through the sewer system under the bazaar. Since it is not possible to collect, accumulate, melt, and reuse this dust, the goldsmiths are unable to do anything. 

The goldsmiths are unable to do anything, but the gold dusts accumulating in the wavy waters of the Estuary after flowing through the sewer system, channels, and watercourses make the Estuary glitter like gold during sunset and sunrise. Here is another legend about why the Estuary is called the “Golden Horn”. 

It is unknown whether this legend is true, but this is given as another reason why the Estuary is called the Golden Horn. There is a way to learn the truth… You too come and stay in Aspera Hotel Golden Horn in the heart of Pera where the Continents meet, and see the Estuary called the Golden Horn for yourself… You decide which one of the legends is true.

Our series of articles disclosing the secrets of the Golden Horn from legends to folk tales will be continued…