Valens Aqueduct (Bozdogan Kemeri)
Valens Aqueduct (Bozdogan Kemeri)
4.2
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Grand Bazaar
Tourists, hawkers, and locals come together at the Grand Bazaar to comb its labyrinthine passageways in search of a bargain – be it a pair of brand name jeans, a handcrafted silk rug, or a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Outside the vast bazaar, worn, narrow streets wind their way down from its lofty perch to the southern shore of the Golden Horn, where the evocatively aromatic Spice Bazaar beckons alongside the elegant New Mosque (opened in 1665). Nearby, the famed Galata Bridge offers pedestrian access to urban delights across the river in Istanbul’s more residential and contemporary neighborhoods, while the must-see sights of Sultanahmet are but a leisurely stroll away.
How to get there
- Vezneciler • 6 min walk
- Aksaray • 10 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,143 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,181 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Susan CMelbourne, Australia1,535 contributionsThe first time we attempted to get to the Valens Aqueduct we got stuck when we tried to access it from Sarachane Park. While this does give views of the aqueduct if you actually want to get close and through it you need to cross Hasim Iscan / Ataturk Blvd into Fatih Memorial Park (the one with the flying horse). Then it is simple. As a bonus there are some colourful market shops (spices, cheeses and butchers) and some nice restaurants a little way beyond the aqueduct on the other side. The aqueduct is quite impressive from a distance and towers above you as you traverse underneath. The fact that it spans a major highway and is nestled in amongst ordinary houses in the middle of Istanbul is amazing. It is still in good condition and free to visit.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 1, 2024
- Phil Z221 contributionsAn impressive example of Roman engineering! There are more impressive examples of Roman aqueducts and given the vastness of Istanbul’s archaeological treasures this one barely features, but is well worth a visit is you are interested in the city’s Roman and Byzantine history. The aqueduct is easy to walk to from Sultanahmet (c10 mins from the Grand Bazaar) and is free to see. Take a wander down, sit in the park next to it or enjoy some lunch whilst sitting under its arches.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 13, 2024
- VievverKrasnodar, Russia384 contributionsThe aqueduct became an intermediate point between the mandatory points to be visited. Nevertheless, the place is quite remarkable, especially if you prepare a little and know the history and operation of the structure. Once in place, all I had to do was "take my hat off" to the genius ancient builders. I'm not going to do a historical essay, but there are many resources to draw on. I will only add that it is undoubtedly worth visiting, do not spend much time, and the impressions of the ancient monumental structure will remain. Commuting from the Shehzadeh mosque. Through the adjoining park, then through the rather colorful streets, in places not inferior to Fanar, but completely empty from tourists to the Sulaymaniye mosque. After the visit, they stopped by and walked in the area of Fanar and Balata. All the reviews are there. If they're helpful, I'm glad.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 16, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.2
321 reviews
Excellent
119
Very good
150
Average
48
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Michael K
London, UK549 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Not every city has a huge Roman aqueduct running through it! And it's a free attraction, too! This impressive limestone aqueduct was completed in 378AD and was part of a complex system bringing drinking water into Constantinople. It fed cisterns in the city and was in use up to the 19th century. The system is one of the greatest hydraulic engineering feats of ancient times. Today traffic runs under 4 of its arches.
Written December 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ila r
Mumbai, India36 contributions
May 2023
We saw this on the way to Suleymaniye. It's unbelievable to see the size and how vehicles still pass under it. Best to see it after the Basilica Cistern to appreciate how Istanbul dealt with the issue of water supply.
Written June 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2058-KW
St. Albans, UK82 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
This is worth a visit if you have long enough in Istanbul, it has been restored although could do with some further improvements. Having been to Pont du Gard in France where you can walk along the top and it’s more scenic, this would benefit from this type of improvement to enhance the experience. Nevertheless, it’s quite beautiful and I was pleased I had the time to see it.
Written February 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nesligül D
Istanbul, Türkiye6,614 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Some people wrote that it is off the beaten track but for us, it is very centrally located, a short bus ride from Taksim, Sishane or Aksaray or a 5-10 minute walk from the Vezneciler metro station, very close to the main municipality building. Dating back to 4th century, it was built to bring water to the city. It is still used as an archway for traffic on a major road near Fatih. The aqueduct looks exceptionally charming when it is lit in the evening. There are many interesting places around this impressive aqueduct and also parks with statue of Mehmet the Conquerer ( Fatih actually means conquerer and this area is named after him) where you can sit and relax.
Just behind it is the Fatih Kadinlar Pazari ( Fatih Women’s Market), a surprise, an oasis for many people, even those who have lived in Istanbul all their lives. It is a nice area with trees and it is full of shops and restaurants selling all kinds of nuts, tea, fried fruits, meat etc. The restaurant and shop owners are mainly from Siirt, a southeastern town in Turkey. Don’t go if you are a vegetarian but do go and eat the buryan or something else in the restaurants there ( Sur and Seref are very good). Shopping for. Its is also a good idea as they are good and cheap.
Just behind it is the Fatih Kadinlar Pazari ( Fatih Women’s Market), a surprise, an oasis for many people, even those who have lived in Istanbul all their lives. It is a nice area with trees and it is full of shops and restaurants selling all kinds of nuts, tea, fried fruits, meat etc. The restaurant and shop owners are mainly from Siirt, a southeastern town in Turkey. Don’t go if you are a vegetarian but do go and eat the buryan or something else in the restaurants there ( Sur and Seref are very good). Shopping for. Its is also a good idea as they are good and cheap.
Written March 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas N
Stavanger466 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
It is of course very nice to see this old Valens aqueduct, almost 1800 years old. That goes without saying.
But the real experience is to climb the place and walk the whole piece for a fantastic view over Golden Horn and Sulemanie Mosque area.
Go to the park to the right of the Valens, and as you are facing the Golden horn, turn right after you have gone through the very right arch, into a small street. Walk approximately 100 metros down the street, then you will find a small arch that is standing out from the aqueduct that is possible to climb for most people up to 70 who are in normal physical condition. Once up you can walk to the other end, but there is no way down there, so the only way back is down the same way. For those who are able, one might climb down two trees on the other side, but you will know yourself if this is for you. Once you are coming down, gypsy kids or old men will be asking you for a few liras for "entrance fee", but that are friendly and also need some money to live, so why not give them a lire or two per person.
But the real experience is to climb the place and walk the whole piece for a fantastic view over Golden Horn and Sulemanie Mosque area.
Go to the park to the right of the Valens, and as you are facing the Golden horn, turn right after you have gone through the very right arch, into a small street. Walk approximately 100 metros down the street, then you will find a small arch that is standing out from the aqueduct that is possible to climb for most people up to 70 who are in normal physical condition. Once up you can walk to the other end, but there is no way down there, so the only way back is down the same way. For those who are able, one might climb down two trees on the other side, but you will know yourself if this is for you. Once you are coming down, gypsy kids or old men will be asking you for a few liras for "entrance fee", but that are friendly and also need some money to live, so why not give them a lire or two per person.
Written April 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol A S
Marietta, GA4,122 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
The Valens Aqueduct (or Bozdoğan Kemeri, meaning "Aqueduct of the grey falcon") is a Roman aqueduct which provided most of the water to Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman empire. It was completed by Roman Emperor Valens in the late fourth century AD and has been restored several times by Ottoman Sultans. In the second century, Roman Emperor Hadrian constructed a smaller aqueduct for the city of Byzantium. The city was rebuilt under Emperor Constantine I, and the aqueduct was greatly expanded to meet the growing city’s needs. Valens Aqueduct has a length 971m and reaches a height of 29m. The masonry is a combination of bricks and ashlar blocks. The water from the aqueduct comes from two lines, the northwest line and the northeast line, which join together outside the walls, near the Adrianople Gate. Near the east end of the aqueduct there is a distribution plant, and another lies near Hagia Sophia. The water feeds the area around the imperial palace. The modern Atatürk Bulvarı Boulevard passes beneath the aqueduct arches, which are beautifully lit at night. Nearby is Sarachane Park, a public garden with a playground for children. Valens aqueduct is about 750m from the Suleymaniye Mosque, or 700m from the Vezneciler Metro station. The aqueduct can be viewed at any time with no entry fee.
Written June 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ut_jd
Ohio531 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
The aqueduct is truly an interesting sight to behold. It is very long and what makes it unique is the way the road cuts through the openings. However, the neighborhood behind the aqueduct is like stepping into a different world. It is rarely visited by tourists and there is almost no English (which is a plus!)
Some of the locals helped us eat some sort of a very tart plant that everyone was eating there and we enjoyed walking through this very authentic part of Istanbul.
Some of the locals helped us eat some sort of a very tart plant that everyone was eating there and we enjoyed walking through this very authentic part of Istanbul.
Written June 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jepa P
Jarvenpaa, Finland270 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
It's old, it's huge, it's long. You really cannot not bump into it when walking around in Fatih. I liked especially it being part of everyday life there. Just in the middle of everything.
Written May 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Everywhere Escapes
Middle East2,412 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
A good example of an aqueduct system built by Romans long ago and used then by ottomans. It arches have main roads running through them, and the drastically changing views of the city as you go through these arches and beyond make one feel like these are gates to different world beyond...
Written July 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MileRay
Istanbul, Türkiye107 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
Unfortunately, didn't get the chance to climb on top as other reviewers, but still enjoyed this attraction greatly. It is off the main touristic routes and makes a good destination for solo travelers, families and small groups. Apart from the impressive Late Roman engineering of the structure, the place is also remarkable for the authentic atmosphere of the neighborhood, pleasant for a walk around (daytime) and full of good local restaurants to eat at. Recommended in a combination with a visit to the City Walls.
Written May 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Proszę o dokładne tłumaczenie nazwy: Valens Aqueduct .
Written March 17, 2018
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