The last ferry stop on the European shore of the Bosphorus is Rumeli
Kavagi. A delightful little fisherman village with the ruins of a medieval
castle and several fish restaurants, some of which have a spectacular view
over the wild and rocky scenery of the last stretch of Bosphorus to the
Black Sea, and looking across to the most substantial castle on the Asian
shore above Anadolu Kavagi.
In its heyday a wall connected each castle to the quay, from which a mole
projected into the channel on each side. Here the Byzantines collected
tolls and customs dues from passing ships. In time of danger they could
cut off all shipping with a chain linking the moles a formidable
continuous line of defense from hilltop to hilltop.
Telli Baba Shrine is set on the very edge of the water. is the turbe of
Telli Baba, a holly man whose turbe is one of the most popular shrines in
the area, for Telli Baba is thought to be especially helpful to women who
wish for a husband. The supplement leaves a strand of tinsel on the holy
mans tomb, taking a second strand away with her. When the wish is granted
she returns to give thanks and to leave the second strand of tinsel on the
tomb.
