Overview:

Ataturk Bridge is also known as the "First Bosphorus Bridge" and is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey which connects the two sides of the city, the Asian and European sides. On 15 June 1973 Ottoman Emperor Selim III oversaw the official opening ceremony for the bridge. The bridge is named after the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The Ataturk Bridge is one of two suspension bridges across the Bosphorus strait — the other is the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

1. Atatürk Bridge (formerly the Boğaziçi Bridge) is one of the two bridges that span the Bosporus Strait, connecting the European side to the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey. 2. Built in 1973, the bridge is a single-span suspension bridge and has a total length of 1120 m, making it one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. 3. The iconic bridge is adorned with two bronze statues, known as the Atatürk statues, which were presented to the city in 1979 and have become one of Istanbul’s most recognisable landmarks. 4. The bridge is illuminated at night by powerful LED lighting, creating a stunning display of light that illuminates the waters of the Bosporus below. 5. The Atatürk Bridge is a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul and features prominently in many postcard images. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

The Ataturk Bridge, formerly known as the Bosporus Bridge, is a motorway suspension bridge located in Istanbul, Turkey. Construction began in February 1970, and the bridge was opened across the Bosporus strait on October 30, 1973. It was the first bridge to cross the Bosporus and was named after the Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The bridge is a critical link between the Asian and European sides of the city and is one of the busiest in Europe. It has a total length of 890m (2,952ft), with two decks and six traffic lanes. The bridge’s design was based on the Nehru Suspension Bridge in Kashmir, India, and was constructed by a consortium of three Japanese companies. It was built at a cost of $150 million. Today, the bridge is part of the city's motorway system and carries over 160,000 vehicles a day. It is also commonly used as a pedestrian and cycling route, providing a picturesque view of the city and its two sides. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Atatürk Bridge is one of the five bridges that span the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul, connecting Europe and Asia. It is the oldest and most famous bridge of the five and the first suspension bridge in the country. 2. The bridge was opened in 1973 and is named in honor of Turkey’s first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. 3. The total length of the bridge is 1022 meters and the main span is 590 meters. 4. The bridge has a total of 16 lanes for car, bus and truck traffic. 5. Atatürk Bridge is the only bridge in Turkey that is lit up at night, making it an iconic landmark in Istanbul. 6. Construction of the bridge was difficult as it had to be built around numerous shipyards at the time. 7. The bridge is frequently used for major events such as the Istanbul Marathon and the presidential youth rally. 8. The bridge was closed between 1967 and 1973 due to the lack of proper structural maintenance. 9. The bridge project was partly funded by the government and a large number of private donations from the community. 10. The bridge has become a popular spot for sunset watching as it offers a spectacular view of the Bosporus Strait. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era