Istanbul’s Galata Tower is one of the most historical sights in Turkey, which rises at the junction of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait. Istanbul Tower, which is also known as Galata Kulesi, has many bitter and sweet stories in the heart of this beautiful and ancient city. From the top of this structure, you can see a complete and 360-degree view of the city that was once called Constantinople and was the seat of the Eastern Roman emperors.
When it comes to sightseeing in Istanbul, the Galata Tower with its 700-year-old monuments is undoubtedly the first. When you stand on top of this mythical building, you can see impressive attractions such as Parim Ada Island, Bosphorus Bridge, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. These are the structures and areas that have survived the events of the past and are still considered to be the sights of Turkey.
Where is Galata Tower?
Galata Tower is located in the European part of the beautiful and mysterious city of Istanbul, Beyoğlu commercial, recreational, cultural area, Barkatzadeh neighborhood and at the junction of the Golden Horn with the beautiful and historical Bosphorus Strait.
Photo from: Google Maps site
Access route to Galata Tower in Istanbul
Depending on the distance from Galata Tower, you can reach this historical place by tram and metro, taxi or even on foot. If you take the tram, you need to go to the artillery station (Tophane) and then to lüleci hendek street. Now, you only need to walk about 650 meters to reach Istanbul Tower.
If you are going from Sultanahmet neighborhood to Galata tower, it is good to cross Kabataş pier by cable train or funicular. After passing the pier, you can take tram line 1 and get off at Karaköy station.
If you are going to Galata Tower from Kadigo, you need to board the ferries that go to Karakoy. Then, you can walk the short distance from the harbor to the tower.
You can also use the metro to access most of Istanbul’s sights, including Galata Tower. For this purpose, you need to take the metro at Taksim station and get yourself to Şişhane station. Then, just walk 150 meters to Galip Dede street. After that, you have to walk 300 meters down the street to reach Istanbul Tower.
The distance between Istanbul Galata Tower and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is 45 km. Apart from this, if you stay in one of the hotels in Taksim or Galata, you can reach this historical monument by walking for only 5 minutes.
The best time to visit Galata Tower
Istanbul’s Galata Tower is ready to receive tourists who line up in front of it every weekday from 8:30 to 23:00. Most travelers who are interested in the rich history, amazing architecture and unique view of this tower reach this place before sunset.
In this way, in addition to seeing the tower, they can enjoy the amazing view of the sun going down in the azure waters. At the same time, they also eat delicious food in an excellent restaurant with a beautiful view.
If you come to this place in the afternoon or evening, you will face a crowd and you will have to wait for a long time. But if you want to get your ticket in the shortest possible time and visit the tower in a quiet atmosphere, we suggest going to Istanbul Tower early in the morning and before noon. It is good to know that the cost of the entrance ticket is the same at all hours of the day and night.
Photo from: Google Maps site
Istanbul Galata Tower architecture
Istanbul’s Galata Tower is a medieval structure with an approximate height of 70 meters, whose foundation dates back to the Byzantine era. As a result, its overall architecture is Byzantine. This ancient structure was built in the middle of the 14th century and at the same time as the Italians of Genoa came to power on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea with walls with a diameter of 3.75 meters.
Unlike other towers in Istanbul, the overall design of this structure is quite simple and no additional decorations are used in its architecture. It is interesting to know that the thickness of the walls and the type of materials used in this conical building has increased its weight to 10,000 tons.
During the reconstruction operation, the materials and shape of the tower changed many times. Until finally, the interior of the tower, which was previously made of wood, was replaced with concrete structures. The exterior of this building is completely stone, and the conical roof and the sharp point decorate it.
During the last renovation operation, a beautiful gazebo was added to the top of the tower, which is now used as a coffee shop and restaurant. To climb this building, a series of spiral stairs and two large elevators are considered.
Naturally, elevators have been added to the tower in recent years and only extend up to the seventh floor. Therefore, it is possible to reach the eighth and ninth floors only through the stairs. At the top of Istanbul’s Galata Tower, at a distance of 63 meters from the ground, an observation platform with a unique panoramic view awaits you.
Different parts of Galata Tower
Istanbul’s Galata Tower stands proudly in the heart of the streets and alleys of Esteghlal Street and invites tourists to visit it. This 9-story building consists of three separate parts. In the following, I will introduce you to different parts of Galata Tower.
Entrance section
Currently, the general architecture of this building is such that you have to go through several stone steps to enter it. Then, you pass through a wooden door and enter the lobby of the building. In the lobby, you will find a spiral staircase that goes up to the ninth floor of the building. In addition, there is an elevator that takes you up to the seventh floor. Therefore, if you wish, you can take the elevator up to the seventh floor and use the stairs from there.
Photo from: Google Maps site
Visiting platform
The viewing platform is one of the most attractive parts of Istanbul’s Galata Tower. Every day countless tourists line up in front of Istanbul Tower to reach this platform. From there, the spectacular view of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus Strait, the Blue Mosque and the happy and busy streets of Istanbul is spectacular.
Flying seagulls over this historical monument and seeing the magnificent Galata Bridge is a unique experience that will remain in your mind for a lifetime. Especially if you stand on the viewing platform at sunset, you will witness unique images.
Photo from: Google Maps site
Restaurant and cafe
On the 9th floor of Galata Tower, there is a luxury restaurant and cafe, which is one of the must-see places in Istanbul. In this restaurant, you can enjoy a variety of Turkish dishes and enjoy excellent service, watching a unique view and eating the most delicious types of quality local food. If you go to see the Galata Tower, be sure to visit its restaurant and cafe.
Amenities of Galata Tower
In Istanbul’s Galata Tower, various amenities such as restrooms, cafes, restaurants, elevators, and souvenir shops are provided. It is good to know that this building does not have a parking lot and the streets around it are so busy that it is difficult to find a parking space.
Therefore, we suggest you use public transportation to reach this spectacular structure. There is no supermarket in the tower building. But due to the excellent location of this complex, you can easily buy all the goods you want from countless shops located in the alleys and streets around the tower.
Sightseeing places near Galata Tower
There are many places of interest near the Galata Tower. In the following, I will introduce some of them to you.
- Esteghlal St
Esteghlal Street is located at a distance of 1.1 km from Istanbul Tower. That is, you only need to walk for 15 minutes to reach this busy street from the tower. Esteghlal Street is full of cafes, restaurants, tourist attractions and historical places such as various churches. This popular neighborhood is located near Taksim Square and is called the beating heart of Istanbul.Almost at all hours of the day, you can see tourists who come and go in this neighborhood and enjoy their trip to this fantastic city. - Madame Tussauds Museum
Madame Tussauds Museum is located 1.3 km from Galata Tower. Therefore, you can reach this place by walking for only 17 minutes. This museum is one of the most prestigious branches of Madame Tussauds in the world, which houses 60 wax figures of the most famous historical, cultural, scientific, political and artistic figures of Turkey and the world.
For example, the statue of Maulana, Mustafa Kamal Pasha, Mohammad Ali Kelli, Messi and many other world famous people are located in this museum. If you visit Madame Tussauds, don’t forget to take a picture with the statue of your favorite character. - Girl’s Castle
Dokhtar Castle, also known as Keys Kolesi or Maiden Tower, is another tourist attraction in Turkey, located 2.3 kilometers from Galata Tower in Istanbul. Just make sure your shoes are comfortable and you can reach Keys Kolesi by walking for 28 minutes.
This castle, which is located in the south of the Bosphorus Strait and on a small island, has many legends in its heart. In the stories, a princess lived in this building to avoid her bitter fate. Astrologers had predicted that he would be killed by a snake bite. Finally, a poisonous snake entered the tower with a load of fruit and killed him. - Taksim Square
Taksim Square is located 1.7 km from Galata Tower. That is, you can reach this place from the tower by walking for only 22 minutes. This square, with its shopping centers, hotels and various restaurants, is considered one of the must-see places in Istanbul.
Taksim Square is one of the most important places in Türkiye and the venue for many important gatherings and national events. In the middle of this square, a monument is installed, which is the symbol of the modern republic of this country. - Delma Baghche Palace
Delma Baghche Palace is located 2.7 kilometers away from Istanbul Kolesi. If you wish, you can walk this distance for half an hour. Delma Baghche is the largest palace in Turkey and one of the must-see places in Istanbul, which stands out with its European architecture and unique decorations in the east of the Bosporus.
It is good to know that this palace was the residence of several Ottoman sultans and the place where Atatürk, the founder of the modern republic in Turkey, lived and died. This 3-storey, huge and magnificent building has a green area, a fantastic view and spectacular details. - Galata Bridge
Galata Bridge is another tourist attraction in Turkey, which is located near the Istanbul Tower and at a distance of 900 meters from it. This iron bridge connects the Asian and European parts of Istanbul.
In other words, this bridge connects the continents of Europe and Asia. This feature has made Galata Bridge one of the most interesting tourist attractions in the world. In this place, in addition to seeing two continents in one frame, you can watch the amazing view of the Bosphorus Strait and the perspective of the historical monuments of the city. - Bilerby Palace
Bilerbi Palace is only 1.7 km away from Galata Tower. Therefore, after viewing the tower, you can walk to this historical palace and see another must-see in Istanbul. In ancient times, this palace was the residence of Ottoman sultans and consists of a main building and several bungalows.
One of the halls of Bilerbii Palace has a water pond in the middle of it. It is interesting to know that this building is the only palace in Istanbul that has such a characteristic. In the interior design of this palace, a combination of eastern and western styles as well as Turkish and Egyptian decorations can be seen. During Atatürk’s presidency, this place was used as a reception place for guests and political officials.
History of Galata Tower
Istanbul’s Galata Tower is a 700-year-old building that was built in 1384 by the Italian-Genoese kings for military purposes and as a watchtower. That is, the work of monitoring the movement of ships and the possible movements of enemies through the Sea of Marmara was done from the top of this tower.
It is known that in 528 AD, during the Byzantine era, a ruler named “Justinian” built a wooden lighthouse in this place and named it “Magalos Pickers”. This lighthouse was completely destroyed during the crusades and natural disasters.
In the 14th century, the Italian government of Genoa took control of this commercial-economic area. Needing a lookout fort to keep an eye on ships, they built Galata’s stone tower on the site of an old, ruined lighthouse. In this way, Istanbul Tower stood tall in the middle of the city.
With the passage of time and the beginning of the Ottoman rule, according to the order of Sultan Suleiman, the lower parts of the watch tower were turned into a dungeon and a prison. Galata Tower, which has gone through various crises throughout its history, repeatedly went to the verge of destruction.
The terrible earthquake that happened in 1509 AD was one of the most important events that caused a lot of damage to Istanbul Tower. It was at this time that a master architect from Turkey called Hayrettin started working and restored this building with all his skill.
After a few years and due to its high height and convenient location, “Tajuddin Effendi”, who was one of the famous Turkish astronomers at that time, turned the tower into an observatory. During this time, Istanbul Kolesi was no longer a prison. Until in 1749, another incident happened and the tower caught fire and the observatory was destroyed.
Some people believe that this fire was deliberately lit to prevent the work of the observatory. In the 16th century, when Sultan Murad III came to power, the Istanbul Tower was once again used as a prison. Then, at the beginning of the 18th century, it was again turned into an observatory, and finally, with the arrival of 1794 AD, a terrible fire destroyed it again.
As if nature did not intend to leave this building alone. Because in 1875, a strong storm happened and practically destroyed this tower by breaking the conical roof.
Following this incident, Galata Tower remained a historical ruin for nearly a century. Until, finally, between 1965 and 1967, it was restored for the last time and became its current form. Since then, Galata Tower has been listed as a historical monument in the list of tourist centers and places of interest in Istanbul.
Istanbul’s Galata Tower – tourismassist
The reason for naming the Galata Tower
In the Greek language, Galata means a person who delivers milk milked from cattle. In Italian, this word means staircase. However, the same Greek concept was probably taken into account when naming the Gala tower. Because in ancient times, the vast and green area surrounded the place where the original tower was built. These lands were suitable places for raising livestock.
Tips for visiting Galata Tower
I suggest you to wear comfortable shoes to visit the Galata Tower in Istanbul so that you can easily climb the stairs of the top floors. In addition, by doing this, you can do some walking and see other sights of Istanbul nearby. On the other hand, I recommend that you bring your camera or smartphone with you and take memorable videos and photos, especially when visiting the viewing platform.
I already told you that if you don’t have a problem with crowds and crowds, the best time to visit the tower is before sunset. At this time, the view of the tower will be more spectacular than ever. Otherwise, if you prefer to wait less in line for tickets, you can choose the early hours of the day and before noon to visit.
To visit Istanbul Tower, you need to buy a ticket and pay an entrance fee. It is good to know that the price of these tickets and even the working hours of the complex change every year. Therefore, it is necessary to complete your information in this field before traveling.
Galata Tower is ready to receive tourists on all days of the week. So, don’t worry about weekends and other national occasions. When traveling to Istanbul and visiting Galata Tower, be sure to visit the upper floors, especially the observation deck, and enjoy the unique view of the city and the seagulls flying around this building. In addition, I recommend you to experience the delicious food and excellent service of the tower restaurant.
in the end…
Istanbul’s Galata Tower and its amazing view is one of the most spectacular sights in Türkiye. I hope you can prepare your travel arrangements as soon as possible, see this mythological building closely and share your travel experiences with us.
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