Istanbul - Galata Bridge

From Karaköy Square in Istanbul the Galata Bridge, busy all day with pedestrians and wheeled traffic, crosses the Golden Horn (magnificent views) to the old town of Istanbul. The present bridge (484m/512ft long and 42m/138ft wide; landing-stage used by local steamers) was built in 1992 with German assistance, replacing the old Galata Bridge which burnt down in 1991. Erected by a German firm between 1909 and 1912, the old bridge, resting on 22 pontoons, had a middle section which swung open to allow the passage of large vessels.