Galata Tower. Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) in Istanbul: history, where it is located, cost of visiting. Information useful for visiting the Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is one of the most popular attractions. One fine day we decided to climb it and admire panoramic views from a height of 67 meters! That's what came out of it…

Looking ahead, I will say that, in my opinion, the history of the Galata Tower is much more interesting than itself.

More in the 5th century on this very spot stood an ancient nameless tower.

Later, the Genoese expelled the Byzantines from here and founded their own colony. In 1341 They began to surround their settlement with high walls. And just a couple of years later, the “Tower of Jesus” was built on the top of the hill - an excellent landmark for traders and sailors.

In 1453 after the conquest of Istanbul during the period Ottoman Empire the tower was renamed Galata. Then when the Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror removed the dome and reduced the height of the tower by almost 7 meters. Why haven’t they tried to adapt this structure! For some time it served as an observatory, then a 24-hour guard was on duty at the observation deck, and prisoners were kept on the lower floors.

A in 1632 scientist Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi even used the most high point towers as a starting point... for flight! Using homemade wings, he managed to fly across the Bosphorus and land in the Asian part of the city.

50 years ago, the Galata Tower was thoroughly restored, the dome was given a conical shape and an elevator was built in.

In a very condensed form, the history of the Galata Tower fits on a small tablet:

At the foot of the tower you feel like a midget:



2. Useful information

2.1. Where is

The tower can be seen from almost anywhere in the ancient center of Istanbul! It is located in the Galata district north of the Golden Horn near the tourist street Istiklal.

Location on the map:

The Galata Tower is difficult to confuse with other attractions of Istanbul:


2.2. How to get there

  • By public transport

From the old part of the city (Fatih, Sultanahmet) you need to take a high-speed tram to the Karakoy stop. From there you will either have to walk up the mountain or take the cable car.

  • By taxi

Istanbul has a well-developed public transport system, so the easiest way to get there is to use it. But it makes sense to order a taxi only if you can allocate literally a few hours to explore Istanbul, and you have large suitcases with you. However, keep in mind that you may well be stuck in a traffic jam for quite a long time.

  • Book an excursion

A one-day tour of Istanbul (from 33 euros) necessarily includes a visit to the Galata Tower. It’s very convenient because you can see all the most interesting sights in one day. You can book a tour either online or at your hotel, but it’s much more fun to go on a tour with one of the locals.

For example, there is a lot - during the tour you will not only see Istanbul from different angles, but also learn a lot about history and architecture first-hand.

See what excursions are offered local residents, you can here.

  • On foot

From the area Taksim getting to the tower is the easiest way. You need to walk to the end of the street Istiklal and go down the picturesque streets. You can also walk from the Sultanahmet area, combining the road to the tower with an exciting walk around Istanbul.

Personally, we got to the tower on foot (about half an hour). From there you need to cross the Galata Bridge and move further in the direction of the tower.

You will have to climb the stairs to the area where the tower is located:


It was possible to climb here, but we decided to go a little further:


Gradually climbing, we finally reached our destination:


Here she is:


2.3. Visiting time

Galata Tower is open to the public every day from 09.00 to 20.30.

2.4. Price

Price entrance ticket amounts to 35 liras(and in my opinion, this is unreasonably high).

Visitors to the tower are divided into three categories: children, adults... and tourists:


My ticket:


By the way, the museum card is not valid here:



3. Photo walk around the tower and views from it

On the ground floor of the tower there is a store and ticket offices:


I take the elevator, then walk up the stairs:


On the “intermediate” floor there are toilets and a poster with the history of the tower:


On the top floor there is an expensive restaurant and Observation deck. It seems that the sky-high prices scared off not only me. Even in high season the restaurant is empty:

In my opinion, there is no point in dining in this restaurant - the tables are placed in the center of the room, so you can’t even enjoy the view, there is no feeling that you are at the very top of the tower. Therefore, we immediately go to the observation deck.

View of the Galata Bridge:


Bosphorus view:

Still the same magnificent Bosphorus:


Photo of Istanbul against a cloudy sky:


View of Topkapi Palace (there in the distance, on the green peninsula):


The cars and people below seem very tiny. Still, 137 meters above sea level:

And on some roofs there are cafes:


Personally, I really missed greenery on the streets in Istanbul; the buildings are very dense:


From here it seems that the houses were built literally a meter from each other:



4. Conclusions

In my opinion, the cost of visiting this attraction is unreasonably high. For almost the same money, it is better to go to Topkapi Palace or, where it will be much more interesting.

There is practically nothing to see in the tower itself: an elevator, a couple of flights of stairs and a stand with the history of the tower.

History of Galata Tower:


The only room inside the attraction is a restaurant with astronomical prices.

There are few visitors, but still there are:


The tower is worth climbing just for the stunning views!

Agree, very beautiful!


Apart from photographing the gorgeous views, there is absolutely nothing to do in the Galata Tower. The entire excursion took me exactly 20 minutes, 15 of which I admired the panorama, took photographs and shot videos.

What was unpleasantly surprising was that the museum card does not cover visiting the tower. Although this object is considered one of the most popular attractions in Istanbul.

5. Video

And here is a video with views of Istanbul from the observation deck of the Galata Tower:

What impression did the Galata Tower make on you? Where else in Istanbul can you admire the views? Share in the comments! 3 ( 5,00 votes, rating:

out of 5)

Over the many years of its existence, the building has been transformed several times. In the 15th century, by decision of the ruler, the dome was removed, which reduced the height by more than 6 meters. In the next century it functioned as an observatory, and in the first half of the 17th century it went down in history as the place from which the first flight using homemade wings was made. According to historical data, in 1632, local scientist Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi was able to cross the Bosphorus Strait using a homemade device, starting from the top of the Galata Tower.

At the end of the 18th century, the building was awaiting another addition: in 1791, its height increased to 45 meters. A balcony for an observation deck appeared here in the first half of the 19th century, but it was not originally intended for travelers. Guards stood guard here, and from this point they could immediately see any riots and fires in city neighborhoods. In the second half of the 20th century, the building was restored again and in 1965 it was open to the public. During the same period, the dome was added, and later an elevator was added to the structure’s design.

Today the height from the base to the top of the dome is 69.9 meters. The diameter has been preserved from past centuries - 9 meters. On the territory of the modern Galata Tower there is its own restaurant and club.

How to get there

The Galata Tower rises in the central part of the city. Thanks to its height, it is visible from many points, which makes it easier to find a landmark. You can approach the building from Galata Kulesi and Büyük Hendek streets. It will help you get here public transport. The nearest metro station is called Şişhane and is an 8-10 minute walk. Bus stop is located on the opposite side and is called Kemeraltı. Buses 26 and 28 go here, as well as routes 26A, 26B, 28T, 30D, 70 KE. You can walk from it in 5-6 minutes.

Galata Tower on the map

View from the tower

The uniqueness of this observation deck is that it is located around the structure and provides an unobstructed view from all sides. The building rises 140 meters above sea level, which provides a wide overview of the surrounding areas. One of the main views that amazes travelers is the view of the Bosphorus Strait, which divides the Turkish capital into two parts. Various sea ​​vessels, heading to the capital's port from the waters of the Marmara and Black Seas. On the other side you can see the bay called the Golden Horn. From the site you can see how it connects with the Bosphorus almost at the same place where the strait itself comes into contact with the Sea of ​​Marmara. There are two large bridges across the Golden Horn, which will also attract the attention of the beholder - Atatürk Köprüsü on the right side and Galata Köprüsü on the left. They lead to the opposite bank, where you can see Ahi Çelebi Çeşmesi - The Forgotten Mosque. It stands very close to the shore. In addition, one of the Istanbul metro stations, Halic, is located right above the bay.


On the same bank where the structure itself stands, you can see several remarkable historical places. To the right, closer to the coast, parts of the ancient fortress wall are visible, from which small neighborhoods of the old city stretch. If you walk around the site and look in the opposite direction from the coast, you can see how the historical part of Istanbul is intertwined with modern areas.

The observation deck of the Galata Tower has long been one of the best observation points in the city and a great place to take good panoramic photos as a souvenir.


Opening hours and ticket prices

Entrance to the Galata Tower is open seven days a week throughout the year. Regular operating hours for the structure, including the observation deck, begin at 09:00 and end at 20:00. The restaurant located here is open at own schedule, so you can visit it later - until 24:00.

Ticket price to enter the Galata Tower for foreign citizens is from 5.5 dollars ( ~362 rub. ).


Excursions

The Galata Tower is often included in the programs of both sightseeing and various thematic excursions around the Turkish capital. During such a walking or car trip, you can also meet other iconic places Turkish capital - the Church of Hagia Sophia, the Egyptian Obelisk, Ahmediye Square and so on. Private tour with a guide for a group of up to 4-5 people for a similar program will cost 300 euros ( ~21,960 rub. ) and will take from 3 to 7 hours.

The Galata Tower is located on a high hill in the European part of Istanbul. This is one of the main symbols of the city and a popular attraction - people come to see it great amount tourists coming to Turkey.

Story

The Galata Tower in Turkey has a long history. The first tower in its place was built in the fifth century AD under Emperor Justinian. The structure was wooden and did not stand for long. The stone Galata Tower was built in 1348 as a defensive structure. Back then it was called the “Tower of Jesus.”

There were fortress walls all around, of which only ruins remain today. The walls protected the area from danger from the sea, but the tower could be approached by traders who wanted to make a deal with Byzantium. The tower received its current name after Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

Functions

IN different times it performed various functions: a lighthouse for merchant ships, a fire tower, an observatory and even a prison. At the same time, the building was restored several times.

The last work was carried out in 1967: the dome of the tower was redone, elevators were erected, a restaurant was opened on one of the upper floors, and the wooden structures inside the tower were replaced with concrete ones.

What to see

The Galata Tower in Istanbul is very popular. The reason for this is the restaurant, night club and an observation deck. The tower has nine floors.

On the top floor of Galata, for a fee, you can beautiful photo dressed in national Turkish costume. The restaurant windows offer a luxurious view, which easily compensates for the low prices menu. On the ground floor of Galata there is a souvenir shop where you can buy various things as souvenirs.

Observation deck

From the observation deck, located at an altitude of 52 meters, you can see the whole of Istanbul, the Sea of ​​Marmara and the Golden Horn Bay. You can climb it by stairs, consisting of 143 steps, or by elevator. The site runs around the tower and is a small structure that is always crowded.

In addition, it is slightly tilted downward, which creates a feeling of instability. On the approaches to the tower there are masonry streets with steep ascents and descents.

How to get there

Galata Tower is located in the central part of the city. You can get to it in several ways. Take the tram to the Karakoy stop, and then walk up the stairs to Istiklal Street.

If you walk along this street, when you reach its end, you can turn right and end up in the square where the Galata Tower is located. From the Karakoy stop you can take the Tunel metro station and then walk to the Golden Horn Bay.

Thousands of tourists from all over the world make a daily pilgrimage to the observation deck of the tower to see from a bird's eye view large city Istanbul. It stands proudly on a hill surrounded by residential areas and can be seen from anywhere in the city, because its height is 68 meters.

Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) or Galata Tower

The Galata Tower has its own complicated story. The tower, originally built in the 5th century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, was wooden. And in 1446, the tower was built from rough stone, and at that time it was gigantic in height (68 meters) and thickness (the walls were about 4 meters thick). The diameter of the tower was 16.5 meters. The main function of the Galata Tower was to watch over ships in the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. However, it also served other historical events. In the 16th century, the first attempt to fly was made from one of the observation platforms of the tower. And in 1632, the scientist Ahmet Celibi Hezarfen designed a glider and flew from the roof of the tower across the Bosphorus to its Asian shore. Thanks to this “Turkish Icarus”, the Galata Tower is also known in history as the Tower of Hezarfen.

After the capture of Constantinople, the tower began to be used for various purposes. Several lower floors served as a preliminary detention cell, on the upper floors there were special observation platforms for fires in the city, and even an astronomical observatory was installed. In 1967, the Galata Tower was made more Free access for tourists to the observation deck, and it gradually lost its observation functions. It was reconstructed - covered with a cone-shaped roof and two elevators were installed in the tower. In addition, a restaurant was installed on one of the upper floors.

Unusual excursions in Istanbul

What's interesting about the Galata Tower?

These days, the Galata Tower is a museum and a place to have a great time. The Galata Kulesi restaurant is located on the eighth floor of the tower. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner. The restaurant's evening program includes exotic belly dancing, various show programs and performances by folklore groups. And on the ninth floor there is a nightclub. To get to the famous observation deck of the Galata Tower, you must first buy a ticket downstairs in the lobby and take the elevator to the floor on which the restaurant is located. Then you need to climb the stairs to the top floor and go out onto the open area. You need to be careful here, as the site does not have mesh fences. This is done so as not to disturb the magnificent all-round view of Istanbul when filming and photographing. If you're lucky enough to get into this amazing place at the moment of sunset, the impressions and photographs will be especially magnificent.

Galata Tower in Istanbul: how to get there, excursions, history

The Galata Tower (or Galata Tower / Galata Kulesi) is located on the European side of the city in the Beyoglu district, next to and is, along with the Galata Bridge, one of the main symbols of Constantinople.

The Galata Tower has rich history, stretching back many centuries, all the way back to 507 AD, when it was built from wood under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. In its current form, it was rebuilt by the Genoese in the mid-14th century, after the Genoese recaptured the area from the Byzantines and founded their colony here. In 1341 they began to build defensive walls around it. In 1348-1349, they built a tower on the top of the hill, which has survived to this day. Then, however, it had a different name - literally, “Tower of Christ” - and its construction was intended to perpetuate the fact of the expansion of the Genoese colonies of Constantinople. Well, the tower received its real name during the Ottoman Empire.

During its existence, the Genoese Galata Tower was used both as a lighthouse for merchant ships, and as a prison, and as a fire tower, and as a starting point for air flights (in 1632, Hezarfen Ahmet Chelyabi took off from here on artificial wings, landing safely in the Asian part of the city ).

The Galata Tower has been reconstructed and restored more than once. Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror reduced the height of the tower by 6.8 meters by removing the dome. During the reign of Sultan Murad III (1574-1595), the Galata Tower was used as an observatory. In 1791, the tower was reconstructed and its height is 45 m. The reconstruction of 1832 affected the upper part: an observation deck appeared. In 1964-1967, the tower was restored, and the conical dome was rebuilt. Galata was opened to the general public in 1965, and an elevator was used to get to the top.

Now height of the Galata Tower: 61 m, diameter 9 m, and wall thickness 3.5 m.

A magnificent view of Istanbul is the first reason to climb to the top of the Galata Tower. After which you can drink Turkish coffee or have a full meal at the restaurant located upstairs. Best time to visit the tower - in the evening, when there are fewer visitors and you can admire the sunset from the observation deck.


The Galata Tower is located in the very center of all walking routes in Istanbul. It will not be difficult to get to it either from Sultanahmet or from Taksim Square - two of the most popular places in a city where tourists stay.

Galata Tower: opening hours and prices

Working hours: 09:00-20.30.
Cost of visit: 25 Turkish lira.

How to get to the Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is located in the European part of Istanbul, in the Galata district, on a hill. You can get to it in at least 2 ways:
1. From Sultanahmet to the Galata Tower you can take the light rail to the Karakoy stop. From there, walk a little uphill, to the side.
2. If you are in the Taksim area, you can take a fascinating walk along the main pedestrian street of the city - Istiklal, exploring numerous souvenir shops and boutiques, or take a ride on the famous red tram to the beginning of the street, from where you can reach the tower.

You can visit the Galata Tower on your own, or as part of one of the excursions.

Excursions to the Galata Tower

The Tripster website has collected under its wing the best excursions from independent guides in Istanbul, including art historians, designers, journalists and other creative people, and the routes that they offer go far beyond the standard approach to organizing excursion leisure. Immersion in the local environment in such a company will be maximum; you will be able to see Istanbul from a different, non-tourist side, and experience completely different sensations.

Top 3 popular excursions to the Galata Tower:

A list of all available excursions including the Galata Tower from Tripster can be viewed.

Best excursions We have collected for you about Constantinople.

Hotels near Galata Tower

Staying near Galata is a pretty good idea, because the area has plenty of attractions to see and various shops, souvenir shops and, of course, pastry shops where you can taste the best Turkish sweets. 🙂 This place is also convenient in terms of transport links.

Look best hotels in the area of ​​the Galata Tower you can use it, which is used by millions of tourists around the world. To quickly access your hotel selection, simply click on this link.

Views from the Galata Tower

1. View of the historical center of Istanbul - Sultanahmet district. In the frame you can see the mosque, the Galata Bridge and the Eminonu embankment, from which it begins.

2. View of the Asian part of the city, as well as the Second Bridge over the Bosphorus.

3. View of skyscrapers fashionable area Istanbul - Sisli.

4. In October 2017, the site’s editors managed to capture the Tower from a quadcopter. This is how she looks from the outside.

5. Well, one more view.

 

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