A visit to Istanbul should include an exploration of the Bosphorus’
entire 32km length, easily tackled with public water transport.
he Bosphorus is a beautiful artery of water with a history
shrouded in history and mystery. Particularly interesting is its
supposed role in the Bible’s Noah and the Great Flood legend.
According to the most accredited scientiic theory (the Black
Sea Deluge Hypothesis by William Ryan and Walter Pitman), the
Black Sea was created when the Mediterranean breached a narrow
landmass at the end of the Bosphorus – a landmass separating the
Mediterranean from the low-lying basin beyond.
his cataclysmic event – about 56 centuries before the Christian era- saw the water race along the Bosphorus, inundating everything in its
path – and is credited with inspiring the Great Flood legend.
he Bosphorus is plagued by strong currents that make the
navigation diicult and dangerous for the scores of ferries and ships
52 Boating New Zealand
ABOVE Falcons were
symbols of a Sultan’s
power and status.
RIGHT One of the
impeccably-restored
Rivas in the Rahmi M.
Koç Museum.
BELOW CENTRE The
40m Kadirga, a ceremonial
galley used for parades in
teh 17th century.THE BOSPHORUS AND THE MAIDEN’S TOWER