Galata tower

Named in the temporary list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and amongst the oldest towers in the whole world, the Galata tower is also one of the prominent symbols of this city. It is a structure that is not only significant, but also makes up the outline of the city of Istanbul, and has, in the past, served as a fire watchtower.

The Galata tower Istanbul was first built between 507 and 508 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinianos, and was then rebuilt between 1348 and 1349 by the Genoese. Boasting of a high conical capped cylindrical tower, the Galata Tower also has nine storeys and is over 200 feet high. In the 14th century, when the tower was built, it was also the tallest structure in all of Istanbul, and offered panoramic vistas of the peninsula and the cityscape.

The tower was originally named as the Tower of Christ, was built using the masonry rubble stone system, with an exterior made of stone mesh. When visiting the Galata tower Istanbul, you can also catch sights of some of the prominent landmarks in the city from the observation gallery. You can also spend some time enjoying the variety of entertainment on the upper floors here. You can also enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee and delicious baklava at the hilltop Pierre Loti Café here.

The Galata tower has a rich and vivid history. The tower in itself, is an amalgamation of the east Roman, Ottoman as well as Genoese elements and characteristics. It is a structure which was built inspired by all of these empires, features of which are easily evident in the architecture of this tower. However, the bigger mystery here is who actually built the Galata tower Istanbul.

Out of the different theories that exist, one suggests that the tower was first built as a lighthouse or watch tower in 528 AD, by Anastasios of the Byzantium Empire. The other theory states that the tower was built in the year 1348 upon the arrival of the Genoese, when the city walls of Galata were built in order to protect it from attacks of invaders.

Upon its construction, the Galata tower Istanbul provided surveillance from the inside of the city walls. Soon after, it became a significant structure for defence of the city in the 14th century. A few years later, during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, the tower was then transformed into a fire detection tower, or a fire watchtower. After that, it was again converted into a dungeon where dockyard prisoners were kept during the rule of Sultan Suleiman.

Throughout history, it has served as an important structure and monument. In addition to that, this is the place where Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi was successful in flying. From being the site where the famous Turkish poet Umit Yaşar Oğuzcan’s son committed suicide to now becoming a museum and home to a restaurant/café, alot has changed with Galata Tower. It also has a terrace which offers spectacular views of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn as well as the cityscape.