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Galata Tower |
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 Galata Tower, one the most important symbols
of istanbul, has offered a 360-degree panoramic view of the
Bosphorus and
Golden Horn for over 650 years and is a unique spot for watching
the famous sunset on the Golden Horn.
Situated in the spot where Galip Dede Street
ends and Yuksek Kaldirim begins, the tower was a gift of the
Genoese to the city. In 1343, the Genoese who controlled the
area at the time, started
construction of the tower in order to watch the sea route to the
city. The phalos built by Byzantine Emperor Anastasius Oilozus
in the 6th century, was extended and reached as high as 60
meters. Once used as a prison and dry foods storehouse, the
tower, was also called Tore di Cristo (Tower of Jesus) by the
Genoese.
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 After
istanbul came under Ottoman rule, the Genoese, who stayed
neutral during the siege, kept their commercial privileges, but
the tower became an Ottoman property. Galata Tower, used as a
prison by the Ottomans, was a fire tower between 1717 and 1962.
It has been damaged by earthquakes and fires many times, but
restored each time. The formal restaurant on top of the tower,
which is open to visitors today, features traditional cuisine as
well as authentic Turkish dance performances. |
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Anatolian Kavak and Lighthouse