Galata Tower in Istanbul interesting facts. Galata Tower. Excursions to the Galata Tower
Address: Büyük Hendek Caddesi, Galata.
Opening hours: in summer from 09:00 to 19:00;
winter period from 09:00 to 17:00.
Cost of visiting the observation deck: 18.5 TL.
Galata Tower - the silent guardian of the Golden Horn
Istanbul- a city of volcanic energy, overflowing with oriental exoticism inherent in Asia, at the same time it is too comfortable, not allowing you to forget that this is also Europe. From many of its points one can see Bosphorus, Golden Horn and, of course, Galata Tower, carrying a tireless watch for many centuries, silently watching from above the ferries departing from the piers, snow-white liners, the hurrying crowd, calls, magnetically attracts.
The story of the Galata Tower - if the stones could talk...
Shrouded in legends, tragic and happy stories, the grandiose structure has seen a lot in its lifetime: it has witnessed the change of empires, bringing to us the history of the distant past. How much its walls could tell...
Even at the end of the 5th century. this place housed a large dairy market, surrounded by expansive pastures with lush herbs. The area was called Galata, perhaps due to the Gauls living there. At its highest point stood a wooden lighthouse, preventing ships entering the troubled waters from going astray. Bosphorus.
Helping Byzantium fight its enemies in the 13th century, the Genoese received these lands as a gift, establishing a colony. Work was in full swing day and night on the construction of residential buildings, warehouses, and marinas. Having surrounded them with a reliable fence with pointed battlements and a deep insurmountable ditch, the hardworking people turned the territory into an impregnable fortress. In 1348, the lighthouse was replaced by a gigantic 70-meter stone tower with a diameter of 9 m with thick walls reaching 4 m, with a total weight of about 10 thousand tons. Having installed a cross at the top, they called it the “Tower of Christ” (or the Cross). From the top the sea distances opened up, not a single passing ship went unnoticed.
1453 became fatal for the Byzantine Empire. The Turks burst into Constantinople and took possession of it. The conquerors destroyed everything in their path: they burned homes, robbed, killed, and abused them. “Who will tell about the crying and screams of children, about the insane scream of their mothers, about the sobs of fathers - who will tell?” The Genoese decided not to leave their native land, they were ready to die. By order of Mehmed, a dome with a cross fell to the ground, and a pointed spire rose to the heavens. The height of the giant structure decreased by almost 7 m. The lower floor turned into a prison.
Rulers changed, bringing changes to the fate of the majestic building. Murad III, having carried out reconstruction, decided to place an observatory in it. People have long been attracted to the sky, beckoned, and fascinated by the thought of flight. They wanted to fly like birds. Many tried, but fell hopelessly. One day, one daredevil managed to do it.
Turkish Icarus
In 1630, the talented scientist Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi was lucky enough to make extraordinary wings. Rising to the top Galata Tower, having attached them, waited for a fair wind, stepped into the void and... flew. Hundreds of people watched him with bated breath. From the Topkapi Palace, the then reigning Sultan Murad IV personally observed the daredevil. He refused to believe: the man, like a bird, flew, soared over the turquoise surface of the strait and landed safely on the Asian shore. The flight lasted more than 3 km. Incredible victory! A unique case! The delighted Sultan rewarded the “flyer” with a purse of gold. The clergy did not like such success. They managed to convince the ruler that only the Prophet Muhammad could ascend to heaven and return; it was not appropriate for an ordinary person to do this. A decisive act does not require reward, but execution. By order of the ruler, the intrepid hero was sent into exile, where the poor fellow died. The greatest beautiful human achievement has come to a sad end. And the tower was named for a long time in honor of the brave man, Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi.
The vicissitudes of fate
After further restoration work on the upper part in 1883, the building was given a modern look: it was painted white and yellow, a viewing platform appeared, from which fires and the slightest disturbances were monitored around the clock, which were immediately suppressed. In case of danger, the guards on duty gave a signal during the day with flags, and at night with lanterns. The alarm was sounded on special drums that replaced the bell.
However, ironically, this did not save the campanile from the fires that occurred during the reign of Selim III. People looked with horror and tears in their eyes at the building that had become dear to them, engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished, the blackened, smoky surface looked pitiful and cried out for help. The padishah gave the order to immediately restore the building. Before it had time to shine in all its newness, one hot August day it caught fire again, acquiring a deplorable state.
Rising from the Ashes
Major repairs were carried out under Mahmud II, after which the building was transformed, as we see it today. In the 18th century the world's first military orchestra was located here, delighting with music, giving the townspeople a signal about the approach of midnight.
Neither fires, nor bloody wars, nor civil strife broke this wonderful landmark, the pride of Istanbul residents. She swam majestically and proudly through the centuries like a guard, vigilantly keeping an eye on the surroundings. By 1967, it was completely restored, rewarding its long, centuries-long service with a beautiful conical roof. She rose, resurrected, became more beautiful than before, attracting the attention of artists who captured her splendor on canvas, poets who sang her in their lines, among which, unfortunately, there are also gloomy notes.
The famous Turkish writer Umit Yasar Ouzcan describes an incident that happened here with a guy who rose to a vantage point on a wonderful sunny day and stepped from it into eternity, “throwing the Spring of his life into the air along with all his hopes, broken into pieces.” Every word is saturated with pain, inhuman suffering, because it was his son who crashed. What made a young, 23-year-old, handsome, energetic young man kill himself? Unrequited love, betrayal? Perhaps he entrusted the secret to these stones, but they are silent...
Campanile rises 140 m above sea level. From the shores Golden Horn it is separated by 425 m. It’s no secret: if you don’t go up to the observation deck, where your soul will freeze from the dizzying height (61 m), and you will take your breath away from contemplating a charming picturesque picture, consider that you have not seen the divine beauty of the real Istanbul.
Panorama from the sky
The wall at the entrance is decorated with 16 lines of praise and gratitude dedicated to Mahmud II, who managed to help the building be revived and return to its former greatness. As many as 9 floors rush into the sky, on the last there is an observation area at 3600. Starting from the sixth, narrow elongated windows let in light; on the ninth they are spacious with large arches. On the door of the elevator, which quickly delivers tourists to the seventh floor, there is a bronze portrait of Suleiman, painted by the court artist Matrakchi Nasuh Efendi. Upon leaving, visitors will examine the relief image of the local Icarus. The remaining two tiers will have to be conquered on foot along the spiral staircase.
A small door will lead out to the viewing area. A strong wind with a salty taste of the sea, an ordinary companion in the skies, will hit your face. The words will disappear in an instant, the breath will be taken away from the view: the arrows of skyscrapers rush to the heavens, the sun-lit candles of the minarets of Yeni Valide, St. Sophia, the Blue Mosque. And behind them is an endless sea washing the shores. Hidden in the haze are the silhouettes of the Princes' Islands - a small paradise on the planet, where ships constantly leave, plowing the gray Sea of Marmara. Everything is in full view - all Istanbul, fussy, always in a hurry - a magical fairy tale of the East, as its living symbols - seagulls - are used to seeing. The panorama is worth it to overcome the involuntary, painful fear of heights to be here. She amazes, bewitches, captivates...
The colorful roofs of buildings and numerous narrow streets are striking, where, as if in an anthill, people are scurrying around, rushing, seething, and seething with life. From here it is especially noticeable how densely populated the city is. It is impossible to describe the emotions that overwhelm the soul; it must be seen.
Do you want to witness the most amazing sunset in the world? Send the tired Istanbul sun to rest. The black dome of the night sky, dotted with huge stars, is mesmerizing and has become much closer. Fantastic picture! For an avid photographer - a real holiday! In a cozy restaurant or nightclub you can have a snack with an appetite, relax, admiring amazing oriental dances and enjoying songs.
The ancient marvelous city, spread out under your feet in all its charm and splendor, is worth that portion of adrenaline and fear. In return, you will receive a feeling of delight and a feeling of happiness that overwhelms your soul, which you will never forget. Only people with a callous, blind heart can remain indifferent, not noticing, not appreciating. After all, “you cannot see the most important thing with your eyes - only your heart is vigilant.”
Guide to Istanbul on our website.
Basic moments
The first wooden tower on Galata Hill appeared in the 5th century. And the tower that can be seen today was built by the Genoese in the middle of the 14th century. In the Middle Ages, the Galata Tower served as an observatory, lookout and prison. It became the place from which the first Turkish aeronaut, Hezarfen, made a successful flight.
In the 1960s, the old tower was restored, and its dome acquired a conical appearance. After some time, two elevators were built here. Today, the monument of Genoese architecture is a museum object and has a good observation deck from which it is pleasant to admire the beauties of Istanbul.
Galata Tower on the panorama of IstanbulHistory of the Galata Tower
The tower, which has survived to this day, appeared on Galata Hill in 1348-1349, when the Genoese conquered these lands. The powerful structure was called the “Tower of Jesus” (in Latin “Christea Turris”). The tall stone building had walls up to 3.5 m thick, a diameter of 9 m and served as an excellent landmark for sailors. In addition, it was an important part of the defensive structures that surrounded Galata. In addition to towers and stone walls, the Genoese line of fortifications included wide fortress moats. The fact that they existed is today reminded by the names of two small streets next to the Galata Tower - Büyük Handek (“Big Ditch”) and Küçük Handek (“Small Ditch”).
Under the Genoese, the suburb of Constantinople where the tower stood was called “Pera e sica”, which means “fig garden on the other side”, because of its dense thickets of fig trees. And the name “Galata” was assigned to the hill later, starting in the 15th century.
Historically, ambassadors of foreign states who maintained diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire built their residences here. Following the palaces of the ambassadors, luxurious mansions of the Turkish nobility, entertainment venues and luxury shops appeared on the hill near the Galata Tower. Due to the strong influence of Europeans, the residents of Istanbul even called Galata “the city of infidels.”
Ancient Istanbul suffered from earthquakes from time to time. One of them happened in 1509. The tremors were so strong that the high-rise structure could not stand and collapsed. There is information that the restoration and addition of the Galata Tower was carried out by the architect Hayreddin.
During the reign of Sultan Murad III, an observatory was placed at the top of the Galata Tower, and the lower floors of the building were used as a prison. Later, permanent watches were organized here so that watchmen could monitor the occurrence of fires and riots. When they noticed a fire, they notified the city residents about it by beating a large drum.
Then the tower received a new name - Hezarfen Kulesi. This happened after the brave Turk and inquisitive scientist Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi managed to accomplish the unprecedented - fly on homemade wings across the Bosphorus Strait. In 1632, a brave balloonist jumped from the top platform of the Galata Tower, thanks to gusts of tailwind, crossed the sea strait and landed safely on the opposite side of the Bosphorus, on Dogancilar Square.
The unique flight of the Turkish Icarus was observed by the Ottoman ruler, Sultan Murad IV, who was delighted with Hezarfen’s courage and publicly announced that the one who made the flight was not afraid of anything and could achieve whatever he wanted. However, the ruler’s advisers convinced him, explaining that the presence of such people in Istanbul was hardly worth welcoming. The Sultan gave Hezarfen a purse of gold and sent him into exile in Algeria. There the Turkish aeronaut ended his days at the age of 31. Today, the name of the brave Hezarfen is named after a small private airfield, which is located 20 km west of Ataturk International Airport.
Over the course of its long history, the Galata Tower has been reconstructed several times. The first time this happened was when the empire was led by Mehmed II the Conqueror, who went down in history under the name Fatih. The tower was rebuilt in the middle of the 15th century, after the ruler’s troops captured Constantinople. The Sultan ordered the dome of the building to be dismantled, and it became lower by 6.8 m.
After reconstruction in 1791, the Galata Tower decreased even more - to 45 meters. In 1832, the building, on the contrary, was built on, making an observation deck at the top. And after 43 years, the time came for the next construction work, and the tower acquired modern features.
The last large-scale reconstruction of the historical monument was carried out by the city authorities from 1964 to 1967. The building was covered with a cone-shaped roof and elevators were installed inside. From now on, visitors have a choice. Those who want to quickly get to the top of the Galata Tower use the elevators. And those who are more patient and physically strong choose the tedious climb up the stone steps of the ancient spiral staircase.
Excursion to the Galata Tower
Nowadays, there is an observation deck at the top of the historical and architectural monument. It is located at an altitude of 137 meters above sea level and is very popular among tourists. Many travelers specifically come to the tower to take a detailed look at the streets and buildings of Galata, the Pera district, the Old City and the neighborhoods on the right bank of the Golden Horn Bay. From the Galata Tower you can see the opposite shore of the Bosphorus, and in good weather you can clearly see the Princes' Islands or Kyzyladalar located in the Sea of Marmara.
In addition, you can have a good time in a restaurant, nightclub and cafeteria. The observation deck is open to visitors seven days a week from 9.00 to 20.00, and the restaurant welcomes guests until 24.00.
How to get there
The Galata Tower stands in the historical center of Istanbul, 2.2 km north of the famous Sultanahmet Square. It is convenient to get from the Old Town to the tower by tram. You need to go to the Karakoy stop, which is located immediately behind the Galata Bridge. And then you walk up steep, cobblestone streets to the Galata Tower.
The Galata Tower is one of the most popular attractions. One fine day we decided to climb it and admire the panoramic views from a height of 67 meters! That's what came out of it…
Looking ahead, I will say that, in my opinion, the history of the Galata Tower is much more interesting than itself.
More in the 5th century on this very spot stood an ancient nameless tower.
Later, the Genoese expelled the Byzantines from here and founded their own colony. In 1341 They began to surround their settlement with high walls. And literally a couple of years later, the “Tower of Jesus” was built on the top of the hill - an excellent landmark for traders and sailors.
In 1453 after the conquest of Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire, the tower was renamed Galata. Then when the Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror removed the dome and reduced the height of the tower by almost 7 meters. Why haven’t they tried to adapt this structure! For some time it served as an observatory, then a 24-hour guard was on duty at the observation deck, and prisoners were kept on the lower floors.
A in 1632 scientist Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi even used the highest point of the tower as a starting point... for flight! Using homemade wings, he managed to fly across the Bosphorus and land in the Asian part of the city.
50 years ago, the Galata Tower was thoroughly restored, the dome was given a conical shape and an elevator was built in.
In a very condensed form, the history of the Galata Tower fits on a small tablet:
At the foot of the tower you feel like a midget:
2. Useful information
2.1. Where is
The tower can be seen from almost anywhere in the ancient center of Istanbul! It is located in the Galata district north of the Golden Horn near the tourist street Istiklal.
Location on the map:
The Galata Tower is difficult to confuse with other attractions of Istanbul:
2.2. How to get there
- By public transport
From the old part of the city (Fatih, Sultanahmet) you need to take the high-speed tram to the Karakoy stop. From there you will either have to walk up the mountain or take the cable car.
- By taxi
Istanbul has a well-developed public transport system, so the easiest way to get there is to use it. But it makes sense to order a taxi only if you can allocate literally a few hours to explore Istanbul, and you have large suitcases with you. However, keep in mind that you may well be stuck in a traffic jam for quite a long time.
- Book an excursion
A one-day tour of Istanbul (from 33 euros) necessarily includes a visit to the Galata Tower. It’s very convenient because you can see all the most interesting sights in one day. You can book a tour online or at your hotel, but it’s much more fun to go on a tour with one of the locals.
For example, there is a lot - during the tour you will not only see Istanbul from different angles, but also learn a lot about history and architecture first-hand.
You can see what excursions locals offer here.
- On foot
From the area Taksim getting to the tower is the easiest way. You need to walk to the end of the street Istiklal and go down the picturesque streets. You can also walk from the Sultanahmet area, combining the road to the tower with an exciting walk around Istanbul.
Personally, we got to the tower on foot (about half an hour). From there you need to cross the Galata Bridge and move further in the direction of the tower.
You will have to climb the stairs to the area where the tower is located:
It was possible to climb here, but we decided to go a little further:
Gradually climbing, we finally reached our destination:
Here she is:
2.3. Visiting time
Galata Tower is open to the public every day from 09.00 to 20.30.
2.4. Price
The entrance ticket price is 35 liras(and in my opinion, this is unreasonably high).
Visitors to the tower are divided into three categories: children, adults... and tourists:
My ticket:
By the way, the museum card is not valid here:
3. Photo walk around the tower and views from it
On the ground floor of the tower there is a store and ticket offices:
I take the elevator, then walk up the stairs:
On the “intermediate” floor there are toilets and a poster with the history of the tower:
On the top floor there is an expensive restaurant and an observation deck. It seems that the sky-high prices scared off not only me. Even in high season the restaurant is empty:
In my opinion, there is no point in dining in this restaurant - the tables are placed in the center of the room, so you can’t even enjoy the view, there is no feeling that you are at the very top of the tower. Therefore, we immediately go to the observation deck.
View of the Galata Bridge:
Bosphorus view:
Still the same magnificent Bosphorus:
Photo of Istanbul against a cloudy sky:
View of Topkapi Palace (there in the distance, on the green peninsula):
The cars and people below seem very tiny. Still, 137 meters above sea level:
And on some roofs there are cafes:
Personally, I really missed greenery on the streets in Istanbul; the buildings are very dense:
From here it seems that the houses were built literally a meter from each other:
4. Conclusions
In my opinion, the cost of visiting this attraction is unreasonably high. For almost the same money, it is better to go to Topkapi Palace or, where it will be much more interesting.
There is practically nothing to see in the tower itself: an elevator, a couple of flights of stairs and a stand with the history of the tower.
History of Galata Tower:
The only room inside the attraction is a restaurant with astronomical prices.
There are few visitors, but still there are:
The tower is worth climbing just for the stunning views!
Agree, very beautiful!
Apart from photographing the gorgeous views, there is absolutely nothing to do in the Galata Tower. The entire excursion took me exactly 20 minutes, 15 of which I admired the panorama, took photographs and shot videos.
I was unpleasantly surprised that the museum card does not cover visiting the tower. Although this object is considered one of the most popular attractions in Istanbul.
5. Video
And here is a video with views of Istanbul from the observation deck of the Galata Tower:
What impression did the Galata Tower make on you? Where else in Istanbul can you admire the views? Share in the comments! ( 3
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Galata Tower in Istanbul: how to get there, excursions, history
The Galata Tower (or Galata Tower / Galata Kulesi) is located on the European side of the city in the Beyoglu district, next to and is, along with the Galata Bridge, one of the main symbols of Constantinople.
The Galata Tower has a rich history stretching back many centuries, all the way back to 507 AD, when it was built from wood under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. In its current form, it was rebuilt by the Genoese in the mid-14th century, after the Genoese recaptured the area from the Byzantines and founded their colony here. In 1341 they began to build defensive walls around it. In 1348-1349, they built a tower on the top of the hill, which has survived to this day. Then, however, it had a different name - literally, “Tower of Christ” - and its construction was intended to perpetuate the fact of the expansion of the Genoese colonies of Constantinople. Well, the tower received its real name during the Ottoman Empire.
During its existence, the Genoese Galata Tower was used both as a lighthouse for merchant ships, and as a prison, and as a fire tower, and as a starting point for air flights (in 1632, Hezarfen Ahmet Chelyabi took off from here on artificial wings, landing safely in the Asian part of the city ).
The Galata Tower has been reconstructed and restored more than once. Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror reduced the height of the tower by 6.8 meters by removing the dome. During the reign of Sultan Murad III (1574-1595), the Galata Tower was used as an observatory. In 1791, the tower was reconstructed and its height is 45 m. The reconstruction of 1832 affected the upper part: an observation deck appeared. In 1964-1967, the tower was restored, and the conical dome was rebuilt. Galata was opened to the general public in 1965, and an elevator was used to get to the top.
Now height of the Galata Tower: 61 m, diameter 9 m, and wall thickness 3.5 m.
A magnificent view of Istanbul is the first reason to climb to the top of the Galata Tower. After which you can drink Turkish coffee or have a full meal at the restaurant located upstairs. The best time to visit the tower is in the evening, when there are fewer visitors and you can admire the sunset from the observation deck.
The Galata Tower is located at the very center of all walking routes in Istanbul. It is easily accessible from either Sultanahmet or Taksim Square, two of the city's most popular tourist destinations.
Galata Tower: opening hours and prices
Working hours: 09:00-20.30.
Cost of visit: 25 Turkish lira.
How to get to the Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is located in the European part of Istanbul, in the Galata district, on a hill. You can get to it in at least 2 ways:
1. From Sultanahmet to the Galata Tower you can take the light rail to the Karakoy stop. From there, walk a little uphill, to the side.
2. If you are in the Taksim area, you can take a fascinating walk along the main pedestrian street of the city - Istiklal, exploring numerous souvenir shops and boutiques, or take a ride on the famous red tram to the beginning of the street, from where you can reach the tower.
You can visit the Galata Tower on your own, or as part of one of the excursions.
Excursions to the Galata Tower
The Tripster website has collected under its wing the best excursions from independent guides in Istanbul, including art historians, designers, journalists and other creative people, and the routes that they offer go far beyond the standard approach to organizing excursion leisure. Immersion in the local environment in such a company will be maximum; you will be able to see Istanbul from a different, non-tourist side, and experience completely different sensations.
Top 3 popular excursions to the Galata Tower:
A list of all available excursions including the Galata Tower from Tripster can be viewed.
We have collected the best excursions around Constantinople for you.
Hotels near Galata Tower
Staying near Galata is a pretty good idea, because the area has plenty of attractions to see and various shops, souvenir shops and, of course, pastry shops where you can taste the best Turkish sweets. 🙂 This place is also convenient in terms of transport links.
You can see the best hotels in the Galata Tower area, which is used by millions of tourists around the world. To quickly access your hotel selection, simply click on this link.
Views from the Galata Tower
1. View of the historical center of Istanbul - Sultanahmet district. In the frame you can see the mosque, the Galata Bridge and the Eminonu embankment, from which it begins.
2. View of the Asian part of the city, as well as the Second Bridge over the Bosphorus.
3. View of the skyscrapers of the fashionable district of Istanbul - Sisli.
4. In October 2017, the site’s editors managed to capture the Tower from a quadcopter. This is how she looks from the outside.
5. Well, one more view.
The Galata Tower is located on a high hill in the European part of Istanbul. This is one of the main symbols of the city and a popular attraction - a huge number of tourists coming to Turkey come to see it.
Story
The Galata Tower in Turkey has a long history. The first tower in its place was built in the fifth century AD under Emperor Justinian. The structure was wooden and did not stand for long. The stone Galata Tower was built in 1348 as a defensive structure. Back then it was called the “Tower of Jesus.”
There were fortress walls all around, of which only ruins remain today. The walls protected the area from danger from the sea, but the tower could be approached by traders who wanted to make a deal with Byzantium. The tower received its current name after Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Functions
At different times, it performed various functions: a lighthouse for merchant ships, a fire tower, an observatory and even a prison. At the same time, the building was restored several times.
The last work was carried out in 1967: the dome of the tower was redone, elevators were erected, a restaurant was opened on one of the upper floors, and the wooden structures inside the tower were replaced with concrete ones.
What to see
The Galata Tower in Istanbul is very popular. The reason for this is the restaurant, nightclub and observation deck. The tower has nine floors.
On the top floor of Galata, for a fee, you can take a beautiful photo dressed in a national Turkish costume. The restaurant windows offer a luxurious view, which easily compensates for the far from low menu prices. On the ground floor of Galata there is a souvenir shop where you can buy various things as souvenirs.
Observation deck
From the observation deck, located at an altitude of 52 meters, you can see the whole of Istanbul, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn Bay. You can climb it by stairs, consisting of 143 steps, or by elevator. The site runs around the tower and is a small structure that is always crowded.
In addition, it is slightly tilted downward, which creates a feeling of instability. On the approaches to the tower there are masonry streets with steep ascents and descents.
How to get there
Galata Tower is located in the central part of the city. You can get to it in several ways. Take the tram to the Karakoy stop, and then walk up the stairs to Istiklal Street.
If you walk along this street, when you reach its end, you can turn right and end up in the square where the Galata Tower is located. From the Karakoy stop you can take the Tunel metro station and then walk to the Golden Horn Bay.
