The Galata Tower and an ‘Ikarus’ story
Another famous landmark worth visiting in Istanbul is the Galata Tower (map) located just over the Galata Bridge in the Karakoy/Sishane district.
The very distinctive tower is already visible from Eminönü and, of course, from many places on the Golden Horn or the Bosporus if you take a boat trip.
Galata Tower, Karakoy streets and fishermen on the Galata Bridge
The tower and adjacent city walls and ramparts were built by the Genovese in 1348. In 1509 a devastating earthquake caused the walls to collapse and only the Galata Tower remained standing.
During the Ottoman Empire, the 12 story tower served as a dungeon for captives working in the Kasimpasa dockyard and in the 18th century it was used as a fire watch station.
During Genovese times there was a cross on top of the 61m high tower and today it’s capped by an ensign.
Renovated in 1964, shows are staged in and around the tower. It also serves for art exhibitions and as a general attraction with cafes and the added benefit of walking around the rather steep and colourful side streets of Karakoy.
And here is the ‘Ikarus’ story: Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi, a famous Turkish aviation history figure, donned a contraption resembling huge bird wings, took off from the Galata Tower and actually flew 6000 metes cross the Bosporus, safely landing in Üskündar. All this took place, mind you, in 1632! So, it’s not really an Ikarus story because the sun didn’t burn his wings.
How to get there
Like many sites in Istanbul the Zeytinburnu – Kabatas streetcar is best to reach the Galata Tower. Crossing over the Galata bridge and getting off at the Karakoy stop, you cross over to the left, walk straight ahead in the direction of Kabatas until you come to the Voyvoda Caddesi, then turn left again and head up the hill. You really can’t miss the tower. If you still have breath left, you can even climb up inside the tower itself until you reach the panoramic balcony which encircles the highest row of windows. Admission is about $2 and the balcony is open daily from 9am to 5pm. The views are spectacular but people with fear of hight, be careful. It’s open and narrow and there are no safety nets.
Photograph is authors own.
