Distant Shore
by Cheri Randolph
Title
Distant Shore
Artist
Cheri Randolph
Medium
Photograph
Description
The distant lights of the old city of Istanbul, Turkey are reflected across the Golden Horn. This view was captured from the old Greek neighborhood of Balat
The Golden Horn is an inlet of the Bosphorus dividing the city of Istanbul and forming the natural harbor that has sheltered Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and other ships for thousands of years.
The Golden Horn (Keras) forms a deep natural harbor for the peninsula it encloses together with the Sea of Marmara. The Byzantine Empire had its naval headquarters there, and walls were built along the shoreline to protect the city of Constantinople from naval attacks. At the entrance to the Horn on the northern side, a large chain was pulled across from Constantinople to the old Tower of Galata to prevent unwanted ships from entering. Known among the Byzantines as the Megàlos Pyrgos (meaning "Great Tower" in Greek), this tower was largely destroyed by the Latin Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade in 1204. In 1348 the Genoese built a new tower nearby which they called Christea Turris (Tower of Christ), now called Galata Tower.
There were three notable times when the chain across the Horn was either broken or circumvented. In the 10th century the Kievan Rus' dragged their longships out of the Bosporus, around Galata, and relaunched them in the Horn; the Byzantines defeated them with Greek fire. In 1204, during the Fourth Crusade, Venetian ships were able to break the chain with a ram. In 1453, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, having failed in his attempt to break the chain with brute force, instead used the same tactic as the Rus', towing his ships across Galata over greased logs and into the estuary.
After the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Mehmed II resettled ethnic Greeks along the Horn in the Phanar (today's Fener). Balat continued to be inhabited by Jews, as during the Byzantine age, though many Jews decided to leave following the takeover of the city. This area was repopulated when Bayezid II invited the Jews who were expelled from Spain as part of the Spanish inquisition to resettle in Balat.
Today the Golden Horn is settled on both sides, and there are parks along each shore. The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is also located along the shore, as are Muslim, Jewish and Christian cemeteries. The Galata Bridge connects the neighborhoods of Karaköy (the ancient Galata) and Eminönü.
Uploaded
October 5th, 2012
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Viewed 174 Times - Last Visitor from White Plains, NY on 03/16/2024 at 3:33 PM
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Comments (20)
Lenora De Lude
Love that amber light and the reflections. v
Cheri Randolph replied:
Lenora, thanks for commenting. That's what I liked about it too - it was so unique. Appreciate your vote!
Cheri Randolph
Neal, Many thanks for featuring my photo "Distant Shore" in your group, All Things Reflective!
Petros Yiannakas
Bf ! Voted
Cheri Randolph replied:
Petros, Not quite sure how to interpret your comment - but I will assume that it is positive, and thank you also for voting.
Cheri Randolph
Madalena, Thanks very much for your feature of "Distant Shore" - I am very complimented!
Madalena Lobao-Tello
CONGRATULATIONS!! Featured on Female Artists - Creative Women!!! Absolutely fabulous work. Very well done!!!!!