Halic

Halic, also spelled Haliç in Turkish, is the name of the Golden Horn, a horn-shaped estuary that forms the natural harbor of Istanbul on the European side. It runs roughly north-south for several kilometers, separating the walled historic peninsula of Constantinople from the neighborhoods to the north and west. The southern entrance opens into the Sea of Marmara via the Bosphorus; the Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn near its southern mouth and has long linked the districts of Karaköy and Eminönü.

Historically, Halic has been a crucial harbor and defensive zone since ancient Byzantium. Its sheltered waters supported trade, shipbuilding, and docking activity, and the area housed fortifications that protected the city during Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman periods. In later eras, waterfront factories and warehouses lined its banks, contributing to Istanbul’s industrial life but also causing pollution and environmental strain.

Since the late 20th century, redevelopment projects have sought to restore the waterfront, convert historic warehouses into cultural spaces and promenades, and improve environmental quality, while landmarks from previous eras remain major tourist draws. The district’s regeneration has emphasized heritage conservation alongside new public spaces and revitalized cultural activities along the waterway.

In Turkish usage, Haliç is the standard name for the Golden Horn; the term is sometimes encountered in English-language references as Halic. The name is used in geography, history, and urban planning contexts to refer to the same waterway.