The nine-story tower is 66.90 meters tall (62.59 m without the ornament on top, 51.65 m at the observation deck), and was the city’s tallest structure when it was built. The elevation at ground level is 35 meters above sea-level. The tower has an external diameter of 16.45 meters at the base, and 8.95 meters diameter inside, and walls that are 3.75 meters thick.There is a restaurant and café on its upper floors which command a magnificent view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Also located on the upper floors is a night club which hosts a Turkish show. There are two operating elevators that carry visitors from the lower level to the upper levels.
History
Galata Tower was built as Christea Turris (Tower of Christ) in 1348 during an expansion of the Genoese colony in Constantinople. The Galata Tower was the tallest building in Istanbul at 219½ feet (66.9 m) when it was built in 1348. It was the apex of the fortifications surrounding the Genoese citadel of Galata. The current tower should not be confused with the old Tower of Galata, an original Byzantine tower named Megalos Pyrgos (English: Great Tower) which controlled the northern end of the massive sea chain that closed the entrance to the Golden Horn. That tower was on a different site and was largely destroyed in 1203, during the Fourth Crusade of 1202–1204.
The upper section of the tower with the conical cap was slightly modified in several restorations during the Ottoman Empire when it was used as an observation tower for spotting fires.
According to the Seyahatname of Ottoman historian and traveller Evliya Çelebi, in circa 1630-1632, Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi flew as an early intercontinental aviator using artificial wings for gliding from this tower over the Bosphorus to the slopes of Üsküdar on the Anatolian side, nearly six kilometres away. Evliyâ Çelebi also tells of Hezarfen’s brother, Lagari Hasan Çelebi, performing the first flight with a rocket in a conical cage filled with gunpowder in 1633.
Starting from 1717 the Ottomans began to use the tower for spotting fires in the city. In 1794, during the reign of Sultan Selim III, the roof of the tower made of lead and wood, and the stairs were severely damaged by a fire. Another fire damaged the building in 1831, upon which a new restoration work took place.
In 1875, during a storm, the conic roof on the top of the building was destroyed. The tower remained without this conic roof for the rest of the Ottoman period. Many years later, in 1965-1967, during the Turkish Republic, the original conical cap was restored. During this final restoration in the 1960s, the wooden interior of the tower was replaced by a concrete structure and it was commercialized and opened to the public.
From the top of the tower, the first French panorama painter Pierre Prévost drew in 1818 his “Panorama de Constantinople” which was later exposed in Paris in 1825.
This is a lovely place to visit to see the breathtaking views of Istanbul and take nice photos if not crowded.
This tower afforded excellent panoramic views over Istanbul and the Bosphorus. The views from the restaurant are obscured by the visitors going round the outside. The prices also seem to be elevated!
Ugh, no. This one is not worth the long lines or the money, my friends. By the time you get to the top, you are constricted to a very narrow area that loops in a circle around the tower. There is no rhyme or reason as to the flow of traffic and no signs pointing in the direction the crowds…
Worth the admission price for the spectacular views of all of Istanbul. A must visit for all those budding photographers looking for that best shot of the city. An enjoyable experience. The surrounding area is full of cafes, bars & restaurants and is not as busy as the main hubs of the Old Town or Taksim Sq.
All reviews mention about visiting the tower at sunset. We went to the tower in the morning. Streets to the tower are very inclined and slippery when its raining.The tower offers lovely views of istanbul. A view from the top of the tower gives us an idea of the size of istanbul.
I could feel fresh air and see an excellent view. but it is too narrow to walking around. passage was packed with people so i couldn't see all of view from the tower.
Galata Tower, one of the oldest, historical, and most beautiful towers in Istanbul.
The tower was built in 507 during the sovereignty of the Byzantine Emperor Justinianus.
From Galata Tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Istanbul, and enjoy some delicious meals in the restaurants.
Also you can take pictures inside of the tower dressed as the sultan 🙂
Spend a special evening at the oldest tower of the world and get a stunning view of Istanbul.
There's a cafeteria/restaurant. Just in case confirm closing time. Sometimes they close earlier.
Go before sunset on a clear non rainy time.. U will take amazing photos.. Also you can have dinner to sit for a drink in cafeteria
Its for sure one of the most romantic places in Istanbul with an amazing 360 degrees view over the city. Try to get there by the sunset and you will see some amazing views over Istanbul. However, count you would need to spend some 20 min. in the line, so plan to come some 30 min. before the sunset.