Galata and Maiden's Tower

The camera looks across the Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe from Asia in Istanbul. Ferries, fishing boats and cargo ships cross the water between the two shores, and the Maiden's Tower stands offshore on its small islet. On the European side, the Galata Tower rises above the rooftops of the old district, a landmark that has watched over the city for centuries.

Early morning is calm, with mist over the water and the first ferries heading out. Evenings bring warm light on the towers and a steady flow of boats. In spring and autumn the air is clear and the hills are green; winter can bring rain, wind and grey skies. Seagulls are active throughout the day, and the water changes colour with the weather.

Galata is one of Istanbul's oldest quarters, a Genoese trading colony in the Middle Ages whose tower once served as a watchtower. The Maiden's Tower has its own legends and has been used as a lighthouse and a customs post. Visitors walk the Galata streets, cross the Galata Bridge and take boats along the strait to see both towers from the water.