Audio GuideGalata Tower

Perched atop one of Istanbul’s most legendary hills, the Galata Tower is a striking stone structure whose timeworn walls have witnessed almost seven centuries of history. With its round, solid silhouette and pointed roof, it rises above the lively streets and winding alleyways of Beyoğlu, just a short distance from the waters of the Bosphorus. The atmosphere here is both timeless and full of energy—the grey stone sparkles in the sunlight, while after dark, the tower is softly bathed in golden light.

Еаликино Абинореал

The Galata Tower was constructed in the middle of the fourteenth century by the Genoese, an influential merchant people from Italy. At that time, Galata was a walled enclave, and the tower was known as the Tower of the Holy Cross. Built with thick stone walls and Romanesque design, it served both as a fortress and a watchtower, overlooking the city and supervising the bustling harbour below.

Kudret Caner

As the centuries passed and new rulers took control, the tower found new uses. When the Ottomans captured the city in the fifteenth century, the Galata Tower was spared and soon became home to everything from prisoners to stores of provisions. In later centuries, it was used as a fire lookout, with its high vantage point being critical for spotting fires in the city’s wooden districts.

Almatar Almatar

The Galata Tower’s place in local legend only grew, especially with tales such as that of Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi in the seventeenth century, who, according to legend, leapt from the tower with wings of his own making and soared across the Bosphorus.

In the modern era, the tower has endured damage from fires, storms, and earthquakes, but each time it has been painstakingly restored—most recently, in the early twenty-twenties, it was transformed into a museum and exhibition space, inviting visitors to uncover Istanbul’s many layers of history.

Inside, every floor reveals a new chapter. Ancient staircases and robust stonework lead to exhibitions about the city, the tower’s different roles over time, and the unique individuals associated with its story. Artists have painted and written about the Galata Tower for centuries, earning it a place as a true symbol of Istanbul—cherished in everyday life and woven into the city’s imagination.