Ferries in Istanbul

Instanbul is the crossroads of the world joining Europe to Asia, and a sea lane between the Black Sea and the Mediterrean. Boats have sailed the waters for millennia, including thousands years of navies culminating in the fall of Constinople to the Turks in 1453.

The term "Sailing to Byzantium" has even entered the language, where Byzantine empire was an early city state.

Commuter ferries have been operating on the Bosphorus since 1837.

The first steam ferries crossed the Bosphorus in 1837 and have gone on to history and fame. Many were built in Scotland and sailed the golden horn or harbour for decades. One was even featured in the second James Bond film "From Russia, with Love."

In the last few decades the steamers have been replaced by bridges, tunnels, and fast cats.