Galata Tower Istanbul ( History & Tickets & Guide)
The Galata Tower was built as a watchtower in the Galata district of Istanbul, and has become the symbol of Istanbul and Beyoğlu with its 360-degree city view and 62 meters high. It was called the “Holy Cross Tower” because of the cross on its top and was built by the Genoese. It has been included in the World Heritage Tentative List by UNESCO. The tower, which takes on different colors from time to time to raise awareness, is considered one of the oldest towers in the world.
Galata Tower Museum History
The Genoese, allied with the Byzantine Empire, established a colony called “Pera” in the Galata district to the north of the Golden Horn. The dominance area of this colony was expanded over time with the permissions taken from Byzantium. Galata Tower is one of the structures built for defense purposes between 1335–1349 by increasing the dominance area, contrary to the permissions received. With the war and the treaty, the management of the tower was left to the Genoese. With the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the Ottomans took over the administration of the colony. The damage done to the tower at that time was prevented by Fatih Sultan Mehmed and the destroyed places were repaired.
Galata Tower was damaged by the earthquake in 1509 and was repaired again the following year. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was used as a place where prisoners of war were kept and as a warehouse, and in the 18th century it turned into a fire tower. The tower, which burned down in 1794, was repaired, but the design of the tower was changed and the upper floor was turned into a coffee house. It burned down again in 1831, and its design was changed again. In 1875, its roof was blown away in a storm, and the top floor was doubled using a different material. Between 1832 and 1876, the roof of the tower was also renovated. In this state, it was used as a watchtower to monitor the fires in the city.
With the new arrangements made between 1965 and 1967, the purpose of use of the floors has changed and it has become a touristic one. In accordance with the new design, new areas were opened, which were rented from the Istanbul Municipality, and served as a restaurant and cafe on the top floor. The exterior was restored between 1999–2000. Since 2019, its operation has been carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations. With the renovation works carried out in 2020, the tower started to be used as a museum and exhibition area.
Galata Tower Stories — Legends
Love and Marriage
Legend of Galata Tower:
According to the legend; If you go to the tower together for the first time with your girlfriend or boyfriend/lover, it means you will marry each other. If you love someone, climb the tower and will the legend of galata tower end with love and marriage for you? I hope you didn’t go there with a friend you don’t want to marry! :)
The Flying Turk — Hazerfan Ahmet Celebi
The tower has many stories. One of them is Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi.
It’s the first flight made in the 17th century. Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi
He is the first Turk to fly in his own time. He made a replica of bird wings and studied airflows. He flew from the top of the Galata Tower, crossed the Bosphorus and landed on the shores of Üsküdar. He flew a distance of about six kilometers.
FAQ
How much is the Galata Tower entrance fee?
Adult (all domestic and foreign adults) : 175TL
Who is Galata Tower free for? Is Galata Tower free for under 18s?
Over 65 years old — T.C. its citizens
Free
0–8 years — foreign national children
Free
0–18 years — young people and children who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey
Free
Student (Students studying in the art history, archeology and museology departments of universities)
Free
Galata Tower opening time — closing time
Opening Time: 08:30
Closing Time: 23:00
Box Office Closing Time: 22:00
The Galata Tower was built as a watchtower in the Galata district of Istanbul, and has become the symbol of Istanbul and Beyoğlu with its 360-degree city view and 62 meters high. It was called the “Holy Cross Tower” because of the cross on its top and was built by the Genoese. It has been included in the World Heritage Tentative List by UNESCO. The tower, which takes on different colors from time to time to raise awareness, is considered one of the oldest towers in the world.
Galata Tower Museum History
The Genoese, allied with the Byzantine Empire, established a colony called “Pera” in the Galata district to the north of the Golden Horn. The dominance area of this colony was expanded over time with the permissions taken from Byzantium. Galata Tower is one of the structures built for defense purposes between 1335–1349 by increasing the dominance area, contrary to the permissions received. With the war and the treaty, the management of the tower was left to the Genoese. With the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the Ottomans took over the administration of the colony. The damage done to the tower at that time was prevented by Fatih Sultan Mehmed and the destroyed places were repaired.
Galata Tower Museum Sections
Galata Tower consists of 9 floors including basement, ground floor and mezzanine. In the tower, commemorations and celebrations are held on certain days.
The floors of the Galata tower include:
Ground Floor: The ground floor of the tower serves as ticket control point and security. The elevator entrance is also located on this floor.
First Floor: There is a museum shop on the first floor. Visitors can shop here.
Floors Two, Three, and Four: On floors two, three, and four; There is an animation and simulation area where Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi is shown gliding from the Galata Tower. In addition, the works giving information about the period when the tower was used by Takiyüddin and photographs of the War of Independence can be seen. At the same time, the Galata Tower, its walls, and the museum and exhibition hall where information and artifacts belonging to Istanbul are exhibited can be visited.
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Floors: The sixth floor is a transitional floor and there is a model showing a part of Istanbul on the seventh floor. Observations can be made with the viewing binoculars in front of the windows, which are also on the seventh floor. The eighth floor is arranged as an observation deck.
Ninth Floor: On this floor, there is a business that serves as a cafe during the day and as a restaurant in the evenings.
Why is Galata Tower Museum Important?
There are many reasons to visit Galata Tower. The most important ones can be listed as follows:
• Included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
• It is one of the trending structures of Istanbul and Beyoğlu.
• In addition to a historical building survey, many businesses were opened in the visitor-oriented and around the tower, with the guidance of the city view from the terrace.
• The name of the tower that inspired the writers is mentioned in many literary works.
Where is Galata Tower?
Galata Tower is located in the Galata section of the Bereketzade District, in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul.
Built on the European side of Istanbul, Galata Tower is located between Şişhane and Karaköy in a perfect position overlooking the Bosphorus.
Address: Bereketzade Mb. Büyük Hendek Caddesi, No: 2, Galata / Beyoğlu / Istanbul
How to Get to Galata Tower?
There are more than one way to go to Galata Tower.
By private vehicle; While going to Taksim from the Tarlabaşı road, you can enter the Galata Tower sign on the left, and leave your vehicle at the car parks around the tower. You probably won’t be able to find a place to put your car.
Galata Tower, which is easy to reach from both sides,
For those who want to come from the Anatolian Side, take the ferry from Kadıköy and get off at Karaköy, and after a short 5-minute walk, you can reach the Galata Tower.
For those coming from Üsküdar, it can be reached by taking the Karaköy ferry, and after getting off from there, it can be reached by walking for 5 minutes.
For those coming from Ümraniye, you can take the Üsküdar-Çekmeköy metro and get off at the last stop in Üsküdar, then take the Tavşantepe-Kadıköy metro, take the Karaköy ferry from Üsküdar, get off at Karaköy, and reach it after a 5-minute walk.
For visitors coming from the European side, for those who want to come from Büyükçekmece, Beylikdüzü, Avcılar, Küçükçekmece, Bahçelievler, after getting off at Cevizlibağ station from the Metrobus station, take the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram and get off at Karaköy station, and then take a 5-minute walk to reach the Galata Tower.
After finishing Istiklal Street from Taksim, you can easily reach Galata Tower by walking down.
Map Direction
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Originally published at toptravelturkey.com
