İstanbul Under My Wings: The Fascinating Story of Galata Tower

Tell us about the reputation and history of İstanbul, which is one of the favorite cities of many people from around the world, local or foreign. İstanbul is a city that contains a story in every corner, every structure and every other detail, and has a legendary story with its culture and history. Not to mention the beauty and the unique throat it has. İstanbul is one of the most special and interesting cities in the world, offering numerous opportunities and beauty to its residents or visitors at the same time. Those who make their way to İstanbul know the various structures and places that give this city its reputation. One of the places and structures that accompany the great stories of İstanbul, which we can say not only by counting, is undoubtedly Galata Tower. This place has a reputation as one of the first landmarks that comes to mind when it comes to İstanbul. You can see this wonderfully architectural structure accompanying any part of İstanbul as a background. View of the most beautiful photos with its huge size and beautiful architecture. Of course, it is not possible to limit Galata tower to its appearance only. This landmark is also very popular for having a unique story. If you want, let's get to know Galata tower, which makes İstanbul feel under your wing. There's so much to tell.

İstanbul's most unique and popular landmark: The History of Galata Tower

Galata Tower, one of the first buildings to catch your eye when you look at İstanbul with a bird's eye view, dates back a long time. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013 and is also among the oldest towers in the world. It has been used throughout history by Romans, Genoese, Venetians and Ottomans for different purposes. This tower is exactly the location of Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi's flight attempt in the 17th century with its wooden wings. At that time, interest in the tower increased even more with Çelebi's flight attempt from Galata Tower to Üsküdar. At the same time, the tower was known as the "Galata Fire Tower" because it was used as a fire watchtower for long periods until recently.

Galata Tower, one of the first buildings to catch your eye when you look at İstanbul with a bird's eye view, dates back a long time. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013 and is also among the oldest towers in the world. It has been used throughout history by Romans, Genoese, Venetians and Ottomans for different purposes. This tower is exactly the location of Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi's flight attempt in the 17th century with its wooden wings. At that time, interest in the tower increased even more with Çelebi's flight attempt from Galata Tower to Üsküdar. At the same time, the tower was known as the "Galata Fire Tower" because it was used as a fire watchtower for long periods until recently.

The tower was first built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinianos and the construction of the tower today belongs to the Genoese. The tower, which survived an earthquake in the 1500s and a fire in 1831, also underwent repairs. First, a floor of the tower was covered with a bay window and then two more floors, and the famous roof in the form of today's cone was covered. The Galata Tower, which underwent another repair in 1967, was last restored in 2020. The architecture of the tower, which is now one of the most beautiful details that adorn İstanbul in the evenings with its blue and purple shades, is another detail that makes it special. The inscription at the entrance of the tower, which was built in the rubble stone mesh system on the outside, has a 16-verse eulogy. The round arched window at the door of this magnificent building, which has 9 more floors after the high ground floor, was used as a lookout for soldiers at the time. Galata Tower, which impresses with its cylindrical body, which continues just below the cone roof, also has viewing balconies.

There are some legends: Galata Tower Legends

Urban legends have always existed by being passed on from the past to the present as the most interesting stories in human history. Galata Tower is one of the buildings that attracts attention with some legends. In fact, when this unique tower is mentioned, the two most popular legends are mentioned.

According to a legend of the Romans; If a man and a woman go to Galata tower together for the first time, the fate of these two people will surely end up marrying each other. But if one of these people had been in the tower alone before, that myth wouldn't have happened. Another legend is that it houses the Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi), another unique structure of istanbul. According to this legend; It is said that Galata Tower and Maiden's Tower are in love. Due to the bosphorus between the two towers, it is thought that these two towers are impossible to reunite and their longings are increasing day by day. Faith in this love is renewed when Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi, who is in the real history of Galata Tower, climbs the tower for his flight with wooden wings. The possibility of Çelebi being able to fly reinforced the idea that the strait could cease to be an obstacle to the reunification of the two towers. In fact, according to this fairytale legend; It is believed that Çelebi took the love letters accumulated by Galata tower for centuries before his flight and left them there when he went to the Maiden's Tower. The Maiden's Tower, which received the letters, is thought to have become more and more beautiful in the face of the documents of this love. These two towers have maintained their existence by challenging each other for centuries by proving their love for each other and realizing that it is not unrequited.

Don't go back without seeing it: For Those Who Have Fallen into İstanbul and Galata Tower

We know that Galata Tower is a view of many places in İstanbul. It is the crown jewel of the most beautiful photos with its unique architecture and imposing appearance, both during the day and in the evening. If you are on your way to İstanbul, the view of the tower, which we recommend not to return without seeing, is legendary. Whether you want to tour the wonderful streets of istanbul where you can watch it from the outside, or go up to the tower and enjoy the panoramic view of İstanbul from the viewing balconies. It is certain that the pleasure of watching İstanbul will be another one, one of these cruising places where you can leave by elevator in the early hours.