Galata Tower, one of the oldest towers in the world, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2013. Galata Tower, which was also used as a fire watchtower in the past, has the status of a museum today and is open to visitors.
The history of the tower, which takes its name from the Galata district of the Beyoglu district in which it is located, dates back to ancient times. The tower, which was built by the Genoese in Istanbul during the Eastern Roman Empire, has been damaged by natural disasters and fires over the years, and has undergone some changes with restorations. For its current state, we can say half Genoese half Ottoman architecture. The tower, which was a part of the Galata walls during the period when Galata was a Genoese colony, was built for surveillance purposes. Although it was used as a dungeon in the Ottoman period, it later served as a fire watchtower.
The legend of Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi
Evliya Celebi mentions Hezârfen Ahmed Celebi in his book Seyahatnâme. According to the information in the book, Hezarfen flies to Uskudar Square by jumping from the Galata Tower and crossing the Bosphorus, by strapping a wooden vehicle similar to a bird's wing on his back. The sultan of the period IV. It is celebrated by Murad with a bag of gold. However, there is no information in the Ottoman financial resources that such a gift was given, and there is no other information about Hezarfen's flight in any history book. That's why it is accepted as a "legend", not a historical event, by important historians such as Prof. Dr. Halil Inalcik and Prof. Dr. Ilber Ortayli.
According to another legend, couples who went to the tower together got married. For this, both people had to be climbing the tower for the first time. Keep in mind; With its romantic atmosphere, the tower is also very popular for marriage proposals!
While you’re there…
Galata, one of the first places that tourists visit Istanbul, is not only with its tower; it also promises a lot with its unique atmosphere, wonderful cafes, restaurants and taverns. There are also exhibition areas nearby. It will be very enjoyable to visit these exhibitions after having your breakfast in a stylish cafe and drinking your coffee. A pleasant dinner after the exhibition…
All you have to do to live this experience is to hit the road!
Galata Tower Opening-Closing Hours
Opening Time: 08:30
Closing Time: 23:00
Box Office Closing Time: 22:00
Galata Tower Contact Information
Address: Bereketzade, Galata Tower, 34421 Beyoglu/Istanbul
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 0212 249 03 44