Description of the attraction
There is no exact information about the date of the construction of the Galata Tower, but it is claimed that it was built in 507 AD. NS. during the reign of Emperor Justinian. As historians say, back in the 5th century AD. NS. there was a tower in this vicinity. However, the tower that has come down to our time dates back to 1348-1349. At that time, the Genoese dominated these lands. The Genoese conquered the Byzantine areas and then built a tower here for defensive purposes and called it the "Tower of Jesus", and under this name it became one of the most important components of the 14th century fortification system that surrounded Galata. The Byzantines also called it the Great Tower. In addition to towers and walls, the defensive structures of the Genoese fortress also included fortress ditches, which are still indicated by the names of the old streets located next to the tower: Buyuk Handek, which means Big Moat, and Kucuk Handek, Small Moat.
The tower stands on a hillside, on the so-called Galata peak, located in the European part of the city. The tower was built in such a place that it is perfectly visible from almost all points of the city. A magnificent panorama opens from its top, which attracts the attention of tourists and guests of the city.
As a result of the earthquake that occurred in 1509, the tower was seriously damaged, and then was restored and built up under the direction of the famous Turkish Ottoman architect Hayreddin. The height of the Galata tower is currently 66, 90 m, its outer and inner diameters are 16, 45 and 8, 95 m, respectively. The thickness of the wall is 3.75 m and the height above sea level is 140 m.
In the 16th century, prisoners of war were kept in the tower. The prisoners were then usually sent to the galleys as slaves for the Ottoman arsenal, which was located in the Golden Horn in Kasimpassa.
During the reign of Suleiman II in 1566-1574. the tower was used as an observation post by the famous Turkish astronomer Takiuddin. Its main observatory was located in Pera. During the reign of Mustafa II in 1695 - 1703. Feyzullah-Efendi made attempts to equip an astronomical observatory here with the help of one Jesuit priest, but all his efforts were reduced to zero. He was killed in 1703, and the tower that served as an observatory was closed by Sultan Murad III and again turned into a prison for convicts who worked at the Kasimpash shipyard.
The Galata Tower in the 17th century, in the Ottoman period, had a new name - Hezarfen Kulesi, which means Hezarfen Tower. This name was assigned to her under Sultan Murad IV after the inventor Hezarfen Ahmet elebi made wings for himself in 1638 and successfully flew from Galata to Uskudar. The brave jack of all trades used the top floor of the tower as a launching pad. He became the first aeronaut in Turkey.
In the tower, closer to the 17th century, a brigade of firefighters, called mehters at that time, was placed. After 1717, the Galata Tower became the main observation point of the city and from its upper platform, special observers day and night conducted a constant survey of the surroundings, and when they first detected signs of smoke or fire in one of the areas, they beat a big drum, notifying firefighters and townspeople about the emergence of danger … However, by an ironic coincidence, it was during a fire that broke out in 1794 that the tower burned down. It was restored during the reign of Sultan Suleiman III. On the top floor, a jumba was added, the so-called ledge with a railing. In 1831 a second fire broke out on the tower. After that, the tower was repaired by order of Sultan Mahmud II and two more levels and the famous conical roof were erected, as well as a stele with an inscription about the restoration of the tower, which belonged to the pen of Pertev Pasha, was installed. During a violent storm in 1875, the cone roof was demolished.
The Galata Tower was restored in 1967 by the Municipality of Istanbul. The conical roof was again placed on top of the tower. A steep spiral stone staircase was also reconstructed. In order for tired tourists to find an alternative to the steep climb along it, two elevators were installed inside the tower. And for those who like to look at the landscapes of Istanbul, there is a balcony on the top floor. There is also a restaurant, cafeteria and nightclub. The Galata Tower in Turkey is loved as a symbol that reminds them of the past. If you want to watch a colorful show, "belly dance" performed by local beauties or try local cuisine, then you just need to visit the Galata Tower in the evening.
