Galata Tower

The Galata Tower (Turkish: Galata kulesi ) is located in the Galata part of Istanbul's Beyoğlu district. The name has, like, for example, Gaul or Iberian Galicia, on the early settlement by Celts ( Gauls ) back. Originally he was a part of the built under the Genoese fortifications. Maybe he has also served as a lighthouse.

History

The Galata Tower was the north end and the main bastion of the Genoese Galata settlement and was built in 1348-49 as a Christ - tower. After the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottomans in 1453, the tower was partially destroyed, but soon recovered. More damage occurred by earthquakes in 1509 and from fires in the years 1794 and 1831st In 1638 Ahmed Çelebi flew Hezarfen from him over the Bosphorus.

The building, which is located 48 m above sea level, measures up to its conical tip 67 m and dominates the northern shore of the Golden Horn. From the 16th century it served as a watch tower, towards the end of the Ottoman Empire as a fire station, a position he held until the 1960s. Later, the Galata Tower was privatized, renovated and opened for tourism.

Current usage

The observation deck is open to the public during the day against admission. The two levels upstairs during the day and evening use gastronomically.

Trivia

In Niederlehme in Berlin a water tower was built in 1902, its design clearly inspired by the Galata Tower. Whether builder or architect of the water tower had a personal connection with the model, is unclear.