The Galata tower

The Galata tower which is standing in the Galata district of Istanbul and which can be seen from all over the city has been erected by the Genoeses in 1348. The tower was seriously damaged by the earthquake in 1509 and was repaired during the reign of Bayezid II. The tower which is 61 meters high has a magnificient view over the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. It is known that the tower was specifically used as a fire tower in the 18th century. The 12 storey building was used as a prison during the Ottoman period.

According to what is being told, if the fire was on the european side, a red flag during daytime and a red lantern during night time was hung and if the fire was on the asian side a green flag and green lamp was hung and during regular times a white flag and white lantern were hung. In the 17th century the Galata Tower furthermore had witnessed Hazerfen Ahmed Çelebi’s flight from here to Üsküdar with the wings he himself had invented. The tower was restored by the Municipality of İstanbul in the year 1967.

 The conical cap which was removed in the year 1875 was positioned on the top of the tower again. There is a spiral stone staircase connecting to the big platform. The staircase was repaired in 1967 and an elevator was installed inside the tower. There is a balcony on the top floor of the tower for those who like to view Istanbul scenery and inside this balcony there is a restaurant and a night club. The Galata tower is open to public everyday.