Istanbul's Galata Bridge has spanned the Golden Horn since the sixth century AD, connecting the old city with the more Western districts to the north. But the bridge is a city in itself, peopled by merchants and petty thieves, tourists and fishermen, and at the same time a microcosmic reflection of Turkey as the link between Asia and Europe.

Geert Mak is a journalist and historian, and one of The Netherlands' bestselling writers; his books include An Island in Time, Amsterdam and In Europe, and have won many prizes.