Galata Tower (Istanbul, Turkey): history, photo, description

Galata Tower is one of the most famous sights of Istanbul (Turkey). From its height is a magnificent view of this ancient and interesting city. If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, then be sure to include in your route a visit to Galata! About the history of the construction, as well as how to get here, you can read in this article. Also you will find out what impressions have remained from visiting this tourist attraction.

Galata Tower: photo, description

Galata was built in the XIV century. Its height is 61 meters. In addition, it is on a hill, so the structure rises above sea level by as much as 140 meters! Thanks to this, the Galata tower can be seen from almost every district of Istanbul.

History

The Galata Tower boasts a centuries-old history. Thus, historians believe that the tower was erected in its place in the 5th century AD. At that time the ruler here was the Byzantine emperor Justinian. But then the design was wooden, so it could not last long. The Galata tower was erected on this site already made of stone in 1348.

A century later Byzantium was captured by the Turks. Accordingly, and Galata passed into their possession. At different times the tower performed a variety of functions: a lighthouse for merchant ships, a fire tower, an observatory, and even a prison.

Throughout its long history, the building has been restored many times. The last large-scale work was carried out in 1967. Then the dome of the tower was rebuilt, elevators were erected. Also on one of the upper floors were equipped with a restaurant. The diameter of the roof in the form of a cone is almost 9 meters, and the width of the walls is 3.75 m.

By the way, Galata is also known as Hazarfen. It is connected with the well-known for the whole world flight of Turkish Icarus. Thus, in the middle of the 17th century, a scientist named Hazarfen Ahmet Chelyabi was able to fly from the roof of the structure to the Asian shore of the Bosporus Strait on a glider that he had designed himself.

Observation deck

Today, this building is popular due to its restaurant and nightclub, as well as, of course, a viewing platform. In addition, on the last floor of the tower for an additional fee (about 5 euros) you can take pictures in the national Turkish costume. As for the restaurant, the prices here are not at all low. However, the view opening from the windows is definitely worth it to afford to drink here at least a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. By the way, seasoned tourists recommend visiting this institution in the evening. At this time there are not so many visitors. Also on the first floor of Galata there is a souvenir shop. Here you can buy a variety of things to remember.

As for the observation deck, the view from the Galata Tower is truly admirable. So, in front of you as if in the palm of the whole Istanbul. In addition, from here the Golden Horn Bay and the Sea of Marmara are clearly visible.

Galata Tower: directions

This landmark is located in the European part of the city in an area called Galata. As already mentioned, the tower is on a hill. It can be seen from almost every district of Istanbul, so in the direction you will not go wrong. You can get to the Galata Tower in several ways:

• You can get to the stop "Karakoy" by tram, and then walk up the stairs in the direction of Istiklal Street.
• If you are walking along Istiklal Street, then, reaching its end, you can turn right. You will get to the square where the Galata Tower is located.
• After reaching the stop "Karakoy", you can use the metro station "Tunnel", and then take a short stroll in the direction of the Golden Horn Bay.

This site is open every day from nine in the morning until half past eight in the evening. In winter the tower closes earlier. However, the restaurant is open until midnight. The cost of visiting the Galata viewing platform is about 13 lire.

Traveler Reviews about Sightseeing

If you belong to the category of tourists who are interested in finding out the impressions of other people who have visited this or that place, then we invite you to familiarize yourself with the generalized comments of our compatriots who, during their trip to Istanbul, included Galata tower in the route.

In general, most travelers were very pleased with the fact that they managed to visit Galata. According to them, the guidebooks do not deceive, and from the observation deck really opens a stunning view of the whole of Istanbul. However, it is better to come here in clear weather, then the panorama will be especially magnificent. Also, tourists pay attention that the path to the Galata tower may not be very simple. As it is necessary to climb the hill. In the heat it can be quite difficult. In addition, you should be ready for some expectation, as the viewing platform itself is small, and there are many people who want to visit it. However, according to the majority of our compatriots, the Galata Tower is worth visiting.