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Galata Tower

Adorning the skyline of Istanbul and mesmerizing with its historical texture, the Galata Tower is not only a work of architecture, but also a historical and cultural heritage that resonates in the heart of the city. Beyond its aesthetic value, this enormous structure has become an unforgettable meeting point for tourists visiting the city.

Having undergone many transformations throughout its history, Galata Tower has survived many restoration processes over the centuries. However, each restoration has added a freshness and majesty to the tower, making it one of the symbols of Istanbul. Galata Tower continues to fascinate its visitors with its eye-catching view, the cool waters of the Bosphorus and the history of the city.

The purpose of the Galata Tower's construction is to offer people a unique experience combined with its historical and cultural richness. Every stone, every detail tells a story from Istanbul's past to the present. The tower stands like a living witness to its history and draws attention with its stance that greets Istanbul.

This historical building, woven with legends, offers its visitors the opportunity to discover what once was and the old Istanbul. Discovering the impressive stories of Galata Tower, the changes over time and the meanings attributed to the tower means going deeper into Istanbul.

Today, Galata Tower stands like a breath of fresh air in modern life. With its renewed face, it opens its doors to those who want to explore Istanbul. If you are visiting Istanbul for the first time or if you want to rediscover it every time, you will be mesmerized by the magnificent view of Galata Tower and its atmosphere reeking of history.

Galata Tower is not just a building, it is also a storyteller. It offers an unforgettable experience, transporting visitors to the past, legends and the mysterious atmosphere of Istanbul. As a way to explore Istanbul, Galata Tower is an unmissable destination for those who want to understand and feel the spirit of the city. Step into this magical journey and rediscover history in the unique world of Galata Tower, one of the places to visit in Istanbul.

Places to visit in Galata Tower:

Galata Tower is a historical building rising right in the middle of Galata, one of Istanbul's most historic neighborhoods. This tower not only offers a visual feast, but also houses an enormous accumulation of culture and history on every floor. Galata Tower functions like a museum, offering travelers the opportunity to explore the rich history of Istanbul.

The top floors of Galata Tower are home to enormous terrace areas where you can see Istanbul from a bird's eye view. It should be noted that the terrace attracts a lot of attention especially during the summer months. To reach these floors, you can take the elevator up to the 6th floor and then take the stairs to the terrace.

The seventh floor of the tower houses architectural projects as well as historical documents such as old drawings and a 1/2500 scale model of Istanbul. This floor provides visitors with detailed information on how the Galata Tower was built.

On the sixth floor, a model of a small sailing cargo boat from the 9th century AD and a puzzle game for children provide a fun encounter with history. On the fifth floor, an area where artifacts from the Neolithic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods are on display awaits you.

On the fourth floor, you will have the opportunity to get to know the history of the Galata Tower more closely. Important artifacts such as the achievements of the Ottoman Empire and the Golden Horn chain meet visitors here. You also have the opportunity to explore the tower from the tunnel stairs on this floor.

On the third floor there is a temporary exhibition hall, where you can attend occasional events and then go down to the second floor. On the second floor, you can see an animation of the famous flight of Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi from the Galata Tower to Üsküdar.

On the first floor of the Galata Tower, there is a museum store. In this area, you can find souvenirs specific to Galata Tower and Istanbul and get a souvenir that will immortalize your visit.

Galata Tower is not only a historical building, but also a cultural treasure that offers visitors a unique experience on every floor. For those who want to explore Galata and its surroundings, Galata hotels will be an ideal choice for accommodation. Don't forget to add Galata Tower to your list for an unforgettable Istanbul adventure.

Galata Tower History:

Istanbul is a city of historical and cultural richness, and one of the rare structures that hosts this immense heritage is the Galata Tower. Rising to the sky in the magnificent view of the Bosphorus, this tower is not only a work of architecture, but also a history book bearing the traces of the past.

The history of the Galata Tower dates back thousands of years to the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. However, it owes its present splendor to the Genoese. Built in the 14th century, this tower has witnessed many civilizations changing hands over time. The Romans, Genoese, Venetians and Ottomans used the tower for different purposes and equipped it with various functions such as a prison, fire tower, watchtower, lighthouse and astronomical observatory.

In addition to the known historical events, the legends surrounding the Galata Tower make it even more attractive. Hazerfan Ahmet Çelebi's story of flying from the tower to Üsküdar with the wings he invented himself has become a legend. The crowd in Sultanahmet Square was astonished to see Çelebi's extraordinary flight.

The architectural evolution of the tower is remarkable. First built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the tower took its current form in the 14th century after it was captured by the Genoese. The tower, which has suffered earthquakes and fires over time, has undergone many repairs and was last restored in 2020. The tower's famous cone-shaped top was added later, giving it a characteristic appearance.

Galata Tower is not only a historical building, but has also become one of the symbols of Istanbul. Especially in the evenings, the tower glows with blue and purple lights, giving the city a unique atmosphere. It draws attention with its architecture, masonry rubble stone lattice system, viewing balconies and a 16-line eulogy inscription on the ground floor. The round arched windows in the tower were once used as observation points for soldiers.

Legends of Galata Tower:

Istanbul has been home to many legendary buildings throughout history. Galata Tower is one of the most important of these structures. This tower, which has become the symbol of the city, is known not only for its history but also for its impressive legends.

The history of Galata Tower dates back to the Byzantine Empire. This watchtower, which was used for the defense of the city, was used for different purposes over time. After being used as a dungeon during the Ottoman period, it was converted into a fire watchtower and today it has become a spot offering panoramic views of Istanbul. Here are the most well-known Galata Tower legends;

The Marriage Story of the Galata Tower:

Perhaps one of the most interesting legends is the association of the Galata Tower with marriage. According to the legend, it is inevitable to marry the first person you climb the tower with. Although this story is not true, it is one of the most popular legends in the city. Those who climb the Galata Tower smile when they hear this legend and if they are planning to get married, they do not hesitate to try this tradition.

Hezarfen Çelebi's Flight to Üsküdar:

The Galata Tower is not only associated with marriage legends, but also with an important event in the history of aviation. Turkish scholar Hezarfen Çelebi is known to have flown from the Galata Tower to Üsküdar in the 17th century, during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. This flight, which he realized with wooden wings he designed by studying winged animals, made a great impression in Europe and went down in the history of aviation.

Love between Maiden's Tower and Galata Tower:

Another interesting legend of Galata Tower is based on a romantic love story. According to this love story between the tower and the Maiden's Tower, the Galata Tower and the Maiden's Tower are in love with each other, but the Bosphorus comes between them. During the flight of Hezarfen Çelebi, the Galata Tower whispers his love for the Maiden's Tower and delivers the letters he has written to her. After this romantic gesture, the Maiden's Tower explodes with happiness.

The Galata Tower is not only a historical building, but also a heritage steeped in these interesting legends. This tower, which adorns the silhouette of Istanbul, continues to offer a magical experience to its visitors with these legends from the past to the present.