Visiting Tips for Galata Tower

Is Galata Tower free - Visiting Galata Tower is easy because there is no early booking needed. You can pay the entry fee either online or just at the entrance. There is a pricing policy varying for students, adults, and foreigners, but all the prices are very low compared to many others. It is designed like a museum, so you can enjoy your time through a guided Galata Tower tour. A strongly recommended one is the Genoese Walks Galata tour that provides you with very interesting stories about the historical building as well as its surroundings.

Does Galata Tower have a lift– Galata deserves the name of ¨tower¨ because its architectural plan was designed to have nine floors with a height of almost 220 feet that is exactly 66.90 meters, from the ground up to the cone. Originally, it used to have only steps to climb but in 1967, Istanbul Municipality added a lift to the renovation and today, Galata Tower lift allows tourists to go directly up to the window-room where a nice restaurant and cafe is located.

How many stairs in Galata Tower – To calculate how many stairs in Galata Tower are, small tips should be given about the entrance. The gate, which is in the south, requires ten steps to climb. Inside the building, there are 146 steps dispersed to five halls.

What time does Galata Tower open and close - Galata Tower opening and closing schedule allows visitors to see the daytime and sunset views of Istanbul. It opens at 09:00 and closes at 19:00 every day. It is possible to enjoy the night panorama of the city on the top of Galata Tower accompanied by a tasty dinner until 22:00. For a table booking, you can contact istanbul.com customer services to have the details.

History Of The Tower

The tower has a Romanesque style of architecture and it was named as the Tower of Christ. Back during the Constantinople era, the tower was considered the tallest building in the city. During that time the tower was located on a different site but was destroyed by the crusaders during the Fourth Crusade, when the Ottomans took over the city in a historic conquest, they modified it and used for spotting fires in the city.

A man called Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi made an artificial wings to glide over the Bosphorus, and he successfully did so and landed on the other side of the Bosphorus Strait in Uskudar’s shore.

The first ever panoramic paint was drawn on top of the tower by a French painter called Pierre Prevost and named it Panorama De Constantinople.

The tower had many desperate times like the one in 1875 when during a storm the roof of the tower was completely destroyed, and in fact, it remained roofless during the Ottoman Era. Between 1965 and 1967, the roof was re built and it was replace by a concrete structure rather than the one it had which was made of wood.

Activities To Do Inside And Around The Tower

The activities that this tower offers are many, one of them being able to go up to the top of the tower and check the amazing panoramic view over the city is wonderful, in addition, there is a restaurant and a café on top of it so you can enjoy the view even more with a drink or a dish to accompany you. The restaurant on top hosts a Turkish show as well, you can go up there by elevators.

The tower is located in Beyoglu district of the city which pretty crowded and famous at the same time, the tourists come to this particular district to enjoy their time as it is the best place to be around the year. In the district, there is the Taksim Square which is famous for its small bazaar and a meeting point for tourists. In the bazaar, you may buy handmade antique made by local merchants that come from many cities of Turkey. After the square there is the famous Istiklal Street, the street is always crowded due to many reasons, like being a destination for fashion lovers which this street offers, it has many shops all the way long until you reach the end which is the Galata Tower. In addition, you will notice street artists that create a wonderful atmosphere for the people, and many food and café shops if you ever feel hungry or in need of a drink.

When you are walking in the Istiklal street, if you were lucky, during important match days, the local fans of football teams of Istanbul always gather there and chant their team’s songs with fireworks, which they add an amazing and enjoyable atmosphere for many people.

Around the Tower of Galata, there are bars, night clubs, and many restaurants, that have a pretty good view over the tower, during the night the area is quiet and can be relaxing if you ever wanted to enter a bar and have a nice relaxing time with a drink in your hand.

Istanbul has many monuments and relics that are left by the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires but The Tower of Galata is a special monument of Istanbul, the locals and tourists both enjoy being around it since it adds a wonderful atmosphere. During the night the tower is usually lid with beautiful relaxing lights. You will have an outstanding time if you climbed and enjoyed the experience that this wonderful tower has to offer.

The Golden Horn served as a dividing barrier between Orthodox and Catholics during the Middle Ages. Orthodox people lived south of the Golden Horn in Constantinople, and Catholics lived north of the Golden Horn in Galata. The Latins stormed and plundered Constantinople in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade. Because they assisted in the loot, the Venetians fell out of favor with Byzantium. The Genoese were given the Galata territory since they backed Byzantium. In 1638, a man named Hezarfen Ahmet elebi affixed wings to his body and flew (or coasted) across the Bosphorus to Üsküdar, according to legend.

The Galata Tower was built in 1348 by the Genoese to oversee and guard the harbor on the Galata shore. The Genoese's contribution to Istanbul was not limited to this. They also erected Yoros Castle on the Black Sea shore, for example. The Ottomans intended to keep trade going after conquering Constantinople in 1453. Venetians and Genoese rights were retained in this fashion, just as they were throughout the Byzantine period. It served as a fire lookout tower until the 1960s. The view balcony is now located on the top stories. The panorama balcony, which encircles the tallest row of windows, is tiny, open to the elements, and not advised for those who are afraid of heights (fear of heights).

What Else Is Around The Galata Tower?

When I first arrived in Istanbul in the 1960s, the neighborhood around the Galata Tower was decrepit and brimming with the hüzün (melancholy) described in Orhan Pamuk's great memoir, Istanbul: Memories and the City.

In its narrow lanes, you may now discover stylish cafés, art galleries, design firms, boutiques, and restaurants.

Buyuk Hendek Street

Neve Shalom, one of the city's most important synagogues, is located on Buyuk Hendek Street. The Turkish Jewish Museum is also located within the synagogue complex. The museum portrays the tale of the forced migration of Jews by Spanish monarchs in the 15th century. The Ottomans welcomed them and they settled in Istanbul.

Sishane Square may be reached by following Buyuk Hendek Street. Mesrutiyet Street, which runs parallel to this area, is home to historical hotels such as Pera Palace. This street runs parallel to Istiklal Street, the district's most recognized strolling path. Mesrutiyet Street is home to some of Istanbul's most popular tourist sites, including the Pera Museum, Istanbul Modern, and Mikla Restaurant.

Galip Dede Street

Istiklal Street is easily accessible from Galata Tower. You will arrive at Tunnel Square if you take the Tower on your back and follow Galip Dede Street in a northerly direction. This is where Istiklal Street begins. Souvenir shops, hostels, cafes, painting workshops, and musical instrument businesses line Galip Dede Street. Galata Mevlevi House Museum is located on the corner of Galip Dede Street and Istiklal Street.

There is a different method to see the Galata Tower without having to wait in line. A Galata Walking Tour with a professional tour guide is available, too. A fast track ticket and a guided tour of the Galata Tower are included in the tour. During the tour, the guide also provides information on the historical sites in the Galata area.