Galata Tower, originally named "Christea Turris" (Tower of Christ), was built in 1348 in the Galata District of Istanbul. Over the centuries, the tower has served multiple purposes, including monitoring river traffic, warning against sea attacks, functioning as an observatory, a prison, and a fire watchtower.
Located near the Bosphorus Strait, which connects Europe and Asia, Galata Tower has become one of Turkey's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors flock to admire its architecture and enjoy views of Istanbul from above.
Galata Tower stands 63 meters tall and is built in Roman architectural style. It has a cylindrical shape with a conical roof, constructed from stone and brick.
The tower has a cylindrical shape with a conical roof, constructed from stone and brick. Its widest point has a diameter of 16 meters, and its walls are nearly three meters thick.
Inside, Galata Tower has nine floors, built with stone and brick. The narrow entrance was designed for only one person to pass through at a time, requiring visitors to stoop while moving. Today, elevators and modern facilities have been installed to enhance the visitor experience.
The interior of the tower features souvenir shops, a museum, exhibition areas, an observatory, and a restaurant. The upper floors have small windows that provide vantage points of Istanbul.
At the topmost level, some windows are left without glass, allowing direct access to the balcony outside.
Local visitor Sila Ural, 21, who visited Galata Tower for the first time with his girlfriend, described it as a must-visit attraction in Istanbul.
"The view from the tower is incredible. It gives me a sense of both the city's historic and modern architecture," he said.
