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 Galata Kulesi (Galata
Tower) by hekate
According to a brochure I had seen, the panorama balcony is open to the public from 09.00 to 17.00 h. So, you could go up there and take some wonderful pictures of Istanbul. I think that it is not free of charge, though.
WARNING:
The panorama balcony, encircling the highest row of windows is really narrow. It is impossible two people to walk next to each other. As you can guess it is open air and if you are suffering from acrophobia - fear of heights, I would not recommand you to go out there. I myself was pretty nervouse while being on the balcony and I entered inside quickly :).
Some facts about the tower:
- Built in 1348 as the "Christea Turris" (Tower of Christ) by Genoese colonists at the highest point of the citadel of Galata - which was then a Genoese colony independent from Constantinople.
- The 66.90 meter tower (62.59 m without the ornament on top) was the city's tallest building when built. It is still one of Istanbul's main landmarks, standing at the highest point of the medieval Genoese Quarter and visible from almost any part of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
- The tower was known by the Byzantines as "Megalos Pyrgos" (The Great Tower). Later, during part of the Ottoman era the public called it "Hezarfen Tower" after Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi.
- In 1638 Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi glided on artificial wings from the top of the tower to the slopes of Chrysopolis (Scutari) on the Asian side - becoming one of the first men in history to fly. He was awarded a vast quantity of gold by Sultan Murad IV, but later exiled to Algeria for witchcraft.
- In the Byzantine period, Galata Tower controlled one end of the massive sea chain which closed the entrance of the Golden Horn. Leave a Comment Address: Beyoglu / Galata, Kuledibi SquareDirections: Near Karakoy
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 by midnight_mike
In the 17th century a man used a hang gliding apparatus to cross the Bosphorus. It was the first transcontinental flight.
While the Galata Tower is fascinating piece of architecture, I see little value in paying an admission to go up to the top. There is also a high-priced restaurant, but there are much better options in the city. Is it really worth paying $75 per person to eat at the top of this monument?
The best views of Galata Tower are from the ferries that take commuters from Eminonu to the Asian side. Address: Galata Kulesi SokakPhone: 2938180
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 Up, Up and Away by gilabrand
Back in the days when Istanbul was Constantinople, this side of the Golden Horn was home to merchants from Genoa. In 1349, they built the tower as part of a network of fortifications.
But since the 17th century, the Galata Tower has had another claim to fame: A mad scientist and/or daredevil by the name of Hazerfen Ahmet Celebi (“hazerfen” means “a thousand sciences”) chose it as the launching pad for his new invention. He strapped on a pair of homemade wings and jumped off the tower to prove that he could fly.
The story goes that he landed on the other side of the Bosphorus, in the presence of a large crowd of witnesses (who may or may not have smoked too much sheesha that day). One way or another, Celebi survived. But instead of rewarding him, the Sultan exiled him to Algeria, where he died at the ripe old age of 31.
If you are coming from Sultanahmet, the Galata Tower can be reached by crossing the bridge, but we approached it from behind, after a visit to Dolmabahce Palace. Walking through the narrow, winding streets of Galata, it was quite dramatic to see this ancient tower suddenly loom up in front of us.
If you are willing to shell out 8 YTL, you can take the shiny new elevator to the top for a panoramic view of Istanbul. If you are willing to shell out even more, you can have dinner at the rooftop restaurant and watch a bleached blond bellydancer do her stuff. Leave a Comment
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Another must visit for first timers is the Galata Tower, which offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city. One of the best times to climb the tower (through elevator, of course), is about sunset, when the city is basked in hues of deep orange. For more of the tower's history, visit this Wikipedia website. Leave a Comment Address: Beyoglu DistrictDirections: From Sultanahmet, take the T4 bus to Taksim. Walk through the entire stretch of Istiklal, where at the other end, the Galata Tower is located.Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galata_Tower
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Many years ago I was born very near to this tower and I spend almost all my teenage years looking to this tower from the balcony of my parents house
The Galata Tower is one of the most prominent landmarks in the city on the European Side, located in Old Pera(Beyoglu) district. It is open everyday from 9.00 to 18.00 to climb up to the observation deck. There is a restaurant on the top of the tower where you can enjoy a traditional Turkish Night. There is an elevator and two floors to walk up.
The tower was the focus of the Genoese fortifications of Medieval Galata. Originally known as the "Tower of Christ", it was built in 1348 in connection with the first expansion of the Genoese Colony. The first fortified area, walled in as early as 1304, was a long, narrow rectangle along the Golden Horn between today's two bridges over the Golden Horn. On the 17th C, an Ottoman citizen, Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi attempted to fly from Galata Tower to Asian Shore of Uskudar and he worked on his project for years. With the wings he invented, he succeded to fly to his target and this was a great success of that time. It was used as an observation tower and constituted an important part of their defense system. It was used as a fire observation tower till 1960s, and later restored and converted to a touristic attraction.
The observation deck is spectacular, it gives one the opportunity of a 360 degrees of vision. It is 61 meters, 183 ft. tall. From the deck, one can observe the Asian Side, the highest point of Istanbul, the Bosphorus, the Bophorus Bridge, the harbour for the cruise ships, the Golden Horn, the old Galata settlement with rather poor neighborhoods, the Suleiman's Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace, the Spice Market, the New Mosque, the Halic (Golden Horn) settlements, the new part of the town, Beyoglu(old Pera) and so on... Later on ,this tower helps to the fireman to find the exact place and even its used as a meterological warner ( red light-snow,yellow light-sunshine,blue-showers etc ) Address: Galata on european sideDirections: very near to sishane or tunnel
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After the original tower was toppled in 1203 during the seige of Constantinople by the knights of the 4th Crusade, the present structure of Galata Tower was completed in 1348 by the Genoese. This area of present day Istanbul, north of the Golden Horn and west of the Bosphorus, was actually controlled by the Italian city-state of Genoa during much of the 13th and 14th centuries. The Genoese named the tower "Christea Turris", or "Tower of Christ". After the beginning of decline for the Genoese empire in the late 14th century, the area became incorporated within the city of Constantinople by the Byzantines. Then in 1453 when the city fell to the Turks, the tower was used as a lookout for fires within the city. The tower, which stands 61 meters, or 183 feet tall, sits atop a hill, and provides excellent views of the city from across the Golden Horn, as well as the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. There is an elevator as well as stairs available to reach the top. There is also a restaurant on the top floor. A word of CAUTION: The observation deck at the top of the structure does indeed provide some wonderful scenery. But, as it is located outside, and is very narrow, it can be a little frightening for people, like me, who are scared of heights. With the wind whipping around at this height off the ground, I was quite happy to take a few pics, and go right back inside! :) Directions: Located across the Galata Bridge, north of the Golden Horn, from the Sultanahmet area
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 Galata tower by marsistanbul
In the 16th century,the tower was also used as a dungeon..
During the reign of Murad III,the tower was also used as an observatory.Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi,who is the first man to fly in the world,has left Galata tower for swift flight in the air to land in Dogancilar(USKUDAR-ASIA SIDE).
The tower has 16 stories and observation deck is 51.65 meters high above ground ,conical dome is at 62.59 meters and the top 69.90 meters.
It has 360' view of the great landscape of historical Istanbul.There is a cafe and restaurant at the top which has a Ottoman night shows for touristic spot.
open daily 9.ooam-20.oopm
fee:8/10 YTL(not restaurant or cafe:) it is just entering fee) Leave a Comment Address: Hendek sok.Galata..ask to anyone..Phone: +09212 2938180Website: www.galatatower.net Other Contact: infi@galatatower.net
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 by Lalique
An old tower, which pierces the skies of ancient Constantinople...
60 meters - not that high in comparison to some of the modern constructions, but this is that very hight that doesn't make you sick and let you enjoy the view from a birds fly....
There are cafe and restaurant on the top, which are rather tourist oriented and thus overpriced.
However the view is worth paying 6,000,000 TL (about $4,5).
PS By the way, the view from the towers toilet is great as well :)))) Leave a Comment
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 Galata Tower at night by AlikattLeave a Comment Address: Galata Kulesi, near Tunel and Beyoglu
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 by fouads
you can inter it for 10ytl=8$ and can see a great veiw of Istanbul Address: Galata tower areaDirections: you can walk on Istiklal street to it,s end on Tunnel side , you will be in Galata tower area
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