The Bosphorus constitutes one of the most important points on the world map. This unique waterway, connecting east and west, Asia and Europe, has great importance not only as a geographical crossing point but also as a historical and cultural heritage. However, the Bosphorus has not only a physical but also a mystical history.
Evliya ÇelebiIn his famous work, Seyahatname, he includes an extraordinary legend while describing the formation of the Bosphorus. This legend Alexander the Great and Hz. It contains many interesting characters, from Hızır to a fearless female warrior. BosphorusIt tells the surprising emergence of events that enabled it to take its current form.
Bosphorus: A Geographical and Historical Landmark
BosphorusIt is a waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and creates a wider sea connection with the Mediterranean. It is approximately 30 kilometers long, narrows up to 700 meters in places, and has a depth of up to 110 meters.
BosphorusIt has been not only a natural passageway, but also a point where cultures touch each other, attracting the attention of many civilizations throughout history. This region, which contains many cultural and historical heritage, from elegant mansions from the Ottoman period to mosques and towers, attracts the attention of millions of tourists every year.
Before the Bosphorus was formed, the Black Sea was a small freshwater lake. However, the question of whether the Bosphorus was opened by natural means or by man has still not found a clear answer. Although the man-made Suez and Panama canals have shortened the distances in maritime transportation, natural formations such as the Bosphorus and the Strait of Gibraltar are the subject of archaeological and historical research since they date back to much older times.
The Legend of the Bosphorus in Evliya Çelebi’s Travelogue
famous traveler Evliya Çelebiin his travelogue Istanbul and the Strait of GibraltarHe attributes the opening of the city to the efforts of Alexander the Great and Hızır Aleyhisselam, who was in his army. According to Çelebi’s report, a developed city located between Üsküdar and Sarayburnu was flooded with the explosion of the Bosphorus. In the narrative, the opening of the straits is described as follows:
He is described as the person who built and developed Istanbul for the third time. Alexander the Great, King of MacedonAlthough he was a ruler who subjugated the whole world to himself, he could not subdue Kaydâfe (Khadafia), the ruler of Halkedonia (Kadıköy), located on the coast of today’s Greece, and Smyrna in Izmir. The castle ruins in Izmir still bear the name of this ruler. “Velvet Castle” It is referred to as.
Alexander the GreatHe wonders about Kaydâfe’s strong stance and management. In order to see her closely, he disguises himself and sneaks into her divan. However, when his identity was discovered, he was caught and imprisoned. Kaydafe releases Alexander after imprisoning him for a while. However, before releasing him, he makes Alexander swear that he will never draw a sword or attack him again.
Alexander’s Revenge Plan and Hızır’s Proposal
Kaydafe Alexander, who was liberated by him, still harbors a feeling of revenge against him. However, in order not to break his oath, he looks for other ways instead of attacking directly. At this point, next to Alexander Hızır Aleyhisselam He steps in and offers him a plan.
According to Hızır Aleyhisselam’s suggestion, it is possible to open the Bosphorus, which did not yet exist at that time. Since the Black Sea is at a higher position than the Marmara and the Mediterranean, with the opening of this strait, the waters will be able to destroy Kaydafe’s lands and city. Alexander adopts this idea and takes immediate action. In this way, the oath will not be broken and revenge will be taken.
The Opening of the Bosphorus and the Great Transformation
With the suggestion of Hızır Aleyhisselam, Alexander starts a large project to open a connection between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. During this work, which lasted three years with seven hundred thousand workers, the waters of the Black Sea flowed into the Mediterranean and the cities of Kaydafe were flooded. After the study Bosphorus takes shape and Macedonia The city is rebuilt. This event is described as one of Alexander’s greatest achievements on the stage of history.
Bosphorus Between Mythology and Reality
Evliya ÇelebiAlthough its narrative seems more like a mythological story than a historical reality, it offers a cultural perspective about the formation of the Bosphorus. The fact that the connection between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean is attributed to important figures such as Alexander and Hızır reveals the importance and deep history of the region.
Although today’s scientific studies explain the formation of the Bosphorus through geological processes, these legends also carry a mystical dimension of history.
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