The Galata Tower Istanbul
In the village of Galata in old Istanbul on the north side of the Golden Horn stands the Galata Tower, a structure measuring 66.90 meters tall. It dominates the skyline of the city where one can view the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus.
Since early Greek and Roman times, a tower was located here, but the present structure was built in 1384 by the Genoese. The tower was a part of the defence walls of the city when the Genoese settled here. During Ottoman times, it served various purposes, used as a prison, lighthouse, warehouse and fire observation tower.
The district of Galata was once a business area where merchants from all
over Europe came to ply their trades. Once the merchants had left the area, Galata slipped
into decay, suffering an economic decline becoming the home to many poor families. Since the 1990s, the City of Istanbul began to restore the neighborhood and Galata today is a district of cobblestone streets and charming old buildings, home to artists, galleries, cafés and shops.
Today, you can climb the stairs of the Galata Tower, dine in the restaurant in the evening and be entertained by the belly dancers. The Galata Tower offers photographers a panoramic view of the city of Istanbul.
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