GALATA TOWER

Galata Tower was built in 13th century by Genoese’s Trade Colony as a control tower to control see traffic on Bosporus and Golden Horn. It also served for some other different purposes such as light house, prison, fire watch tower.  The nine-story tower is 66.90 meters high, and was the city's tallest structure when it was built and over many centuries. It is one of the city’s most striking landmarks today and it is a cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline of Istanbul.

According to the Seyahatname of Ottoman historian and traveler Evliya Çelebi, Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi flew as an early aviator using artificial wings for gliding from this tower over the Bosporus to the slopes of Üsküdar on the Anatolian side, nearly six kilometers away.
Today serving as a restaurant but also serving for people who want to have 360 degree view of Istanbul.

Practical Information
* Couple of minutes walk to hill from Karakoy tram stop.
* Open everyday from 09.00 am to 08.00 pm.
* Entrance fee 11 Turkish liras.