Rising gracefully towards the sky in the silhouette of Istanbul that defies centuries, Galata Tower is not just a stone-built structure; it is a symbol that has taken a place in the memory of the city. With a history stretching from Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire, from the Genoese to today’s Istanbul, this tower has added spirit to the city throughout history with the stories it has witnessed in every period. Galata Tower invites its visitors to a deep time travel with both its architectural elegance and its cultural texture woven with legends.
Located at the foot of the tower, Karaköy has been the commercial, port and cultural centre of Istanbul throughout its history. Today, the streets of Karaköy are one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan corners of the city, blending the traces of the past with modern art galleries, cafes and boutique shops. Rising in the shadow of the Galata Tower, this area is almost like an open-air museum for local and foreign tourists visiting Istanbul.
History of Galata Tower
The origin of the Galata Tower dates back to the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, 507-508 AD. However, the present tower was built by the Genoese in 1348. During this period, the structure called“Christea Turris“, i.e.“Christ Tower“, was used for defence purposes as a part of the walls of Galata.
in 1453, after the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottomans, the tower started to be used for different purposes. Initially serving as a dungeon and observatory, the Galata Tower also functioned as a fire watch tower from 1717 onwards. The tower, which underwent various restorations over time, was repaired in 1794 during the reign of Selim III and a bay window was added to the upper part.
Flight of Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi at Galata Tower
Galata Tower attracts attention not only with its architecture but also with its legends.
Galata Tower is not only a watchtower built with stone and mortar; it is also a symbol of dreams, courage and scientific curiosity. One of the most inspiring examples of this symbolism is undoubtedly the historical flight of HezarfenAhmed Çelebi , rumoured to have taken place in the 17th century.
According to this story told in detail in Evliya Çelebi’s famous Seyahatnâme, Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi had an imagination and scientific intuition far beyond the ordinary people of his time. Hezarfen, who had been studying the wing structure of birds for many years, observing the movements of the wind and working to develop his own flight system, finally gathered his courage and with a wing-like device, he let himself into the void from the top of the Galata Tower.
It is rumoured that he soared over the Bosphorus with the help of the wind, successfully flew a distance of approximately 3 kilometres and landed at Doğancılar Square in Üsküdar. This event is considered to be one of the first manned flight attempts not only in Ottoman history but also in world aviation history. According to the legend, this extraordinary achievement was first met with great admiration by Murad IV, the sultan of the time, but then Hezarfen was exiled to Algiers, considering that such an extraordinary intelligence could be dangerous.
It is not known how much of this story is true and how much of it is a product of Evliya Çelebi’s richness of narration; however, there is no doubt that as the name of Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi is mentioned together with the Galata Tower, one is reminded of the imagination that pushes the limits of human beings.
Anyone who visits the Galata Tower today witnesses not only the historic stone walls, but also the wings of human will reaching for the sky. The story of Hezarfen takes the Galata Tower beyond an architectural structure and makes it a symbol of the spirit of freedom and discovery.
Views from Galata Tower: What to See
A visitor ascending the Galata Tower is greeted not only by a stone structure, but also by a unique panorama overlooking the heart of Istanbul from above. When you reach the observation deck, the Galata Tower, with its 360-degree view that you can turn around, almost lays Istanbul under your feet. This view is not just a city view; it is a picture of Istanbul where history, culture and geography are intertwined.
When you look towards the east, you see the Historical Peninsula in all its splendour. Your eyes are first drawn to the dome of Hagia Sophia, then to the minarets of the Blue Mosque just behind it. When you turn a little more to the right, the splendour of Topkapi Palace and the Marmara Sea stretching in front of it wink at you. If the weather is clear, even the Princes’ Islands can be seen in silhouette.
When you head north, you see the blue waters of the Bosphorus meandering along. Galata Bridge, which connects the two sides of the Bosphorus, presents the pulse of Istanbul with the fishing boats underneath and the crowds walking on it. Further on, the Maiden’s Tower stands as if it has been plucked from a fairy tale land. The calm waters of the Golden Horn are like a natural mirror that completes the face of old Istanbul.
From the west-facing facade of the tower, the modern face of Beyoğlu, Cihangir, Tophane and even the Levent-Maslak line, which is shaped by skyscrapers today. At sunset, this landscape is painted in golden hues; both the city and the sky shine at the same time.
For photography enthusiasts, architecture buffs and anyone who wants to experience Istanbul from different angles, the view from the Galata Tower is not only a viewing experience, but also a memorable Istanbul souvenir.
Historical and Cultural Importance of Karaköy
Located in the heart of Istanbul, Karaköy is not just a neighbourhood; it is the intersection point of trade, culture and civilisations for centuries. This neighbourhood, which has assumed different identities in every period from the Byzantine period to the Ottoman period, from the Genoese to today’s Istanbul, brings the past and the present together on the same street. Karaköy, one of the oldest harbour settlements of Istanbul, has been a destination for merchants, travellers and ideas coming by sea for centuries.
In Karaköy, which became the financial centre of Istanbul during the last period of the Ottoman Empire, the neoclassical buildings rising along Bankalar Street in the 19th century are still standing today as if defying time. While Galata Bankers shaped the financial system of the Ottoman Empire, decisions were made and capital changed hands on these streets. Karaköy has a unique historical heritage as a cosmopolitan centre where not only money, but also culture, art and different religions live together.
Today, Karaköy has become one of the most dynamic areas of Istanbul, combining this rich heritage with a modern flair. Restored inns have been transformed into art galleries and old harbour buildings into stylish cafes and restaurants, creating a cultural scene that combines the bohemian spirit with the young energy of the city. Especially with the Galataport project, Karaköy is rapidly becoming one of the most prestigious coastal destinations not only in Istanbul but also in the Mediterranean.
When considered together withthe Galata Tower, Karaköy carries both an aesthetic and cultural meaning in the historical silhouette of Istanbul. With its centuries-old multiculturalism, the spaces it has opened up for art and commerce, and its unique location on the shores of the Bosphorus, Karaköy is a stage of life that everyone who visits Istanbul must step into.