Overview

Golden Horn (full title: Golden Horn: Von Venedig nach Konstantinopel) is a trading and sailing game designed by Leo Colovini and published by Piatnik. Players sail merchant ships between Venice and Constantinople (Byzantium), transporting goods and dealing with pirates along the way. The game features card-driven movement and goods collection, with players timing their voyages to maximize their warehouse contents. The player who fills their warehouse with the most goods wins.

Components

• Game board (sea route between Venice and Constantinople)
• Ship tokens (one per player)
• Goods tiles/tokens (various types)
• Cards (for movement, pirates, and actions)
• Warehouse boards (one per player)
• Pirate markers
• Instructions

Setup

1. Place the game board showing the sea route between Venice and Constantinople.
2. Each player takes a ship token and a warehouse board.
3. Place goods at the two ports (Venice and Constantinople).
4. Shuffle and deal cards to each player.
5. Place pirate markers as indicated.
6. Determine starting player.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Play a card from your hand to move your ship along the sea route.
2. Resolve encounters (pirates, other events) along the route.
3. Load or unload goods when at a port.
4. Draw a card to replenish your hand.

Actions

Sailing

• Play cards to move your ship between Venice and Constantinople.
• Ships travel along the sea route, advancing spaces based on cards played.
• The route between the two ports has multiple stopping points.

Loading Goods

• When at a port (Venice or Constantinople), you may load available goods onto your ship.
• Different goods have different values.
• Ship capacity limits how many goods you can carry at once.

Unloading and Warehousing

• Upon arriving at the opposite port, unload goods into your warehouse.
• Goods placed in your warehouse count toward your final score.
• Strategic timing of when to unload is important.

Pirates

• Pirates threaten ships along the sea route.
• Encounters with pirates may result in loss of goods or other penalties.
• Some cards provide protection against pirates.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The game ends when a specific trigger condition is met (such as goods running out or a player filling their warehouse).

The player who has collected the most goods in their warehouse (or the highest total value of goods) wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Timing voyages: Finding the best moment to sail between ports is key – loading more goods increases your haul but means more time at sea exposed to pirates.
• Pirate encounters: Pirates add risk to every voyage, especially for ships loaded with valuable goods.
• Two-port system: The game revolves around the back-and-forth trade between Venice and Constantinople, with players deciding when to load, when to sail, and when to unload.
• Card management: Hand management is important, as cards determine movement options and defensive capabilities.
• Designer pedigree: Leo Colovini is known for elegant game designs with streamlined mechanics.

Player Reference

Ports: Venice and Constantinople

Turn: Play card to move > Resolve encounters > Load/unload goods > Draw card

Pirates: Threaten ships at sea; may steal goods

Win condition: Most goods in your warehouse at game end