The Galata Tower, one of Istanbul’s oldest and most beautiful towers, was built in 528 by the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius II. In 1348, it was rebuilt by the Genoese using rubble stone under the name Christea Turris (Tower of Christ). After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the tower fell into Turkish hands. It stands 66.90 meters above ground and approximately 140 meters above sea level. During the Ottoman Empire, it was used as a dungeon for a period and as a fire watchtower for another. Over time, the tower suffered damage from disasters such as earthquakes and fires, and underwent several renovations. In the 1960s, the tower, which was in a dilapidated state, was restored by the Istanbul Municipality. In 2020, it was restored by the General Directorate of Foundations, and the reinforced concrete elements and cafeteria were removed, and it was reopened to tourism as a museum. The Galata Tower Museum exhibits artifacts reflecting all periods of Istanbul, a city that has been inhabited since prehistoric times and served as the capital of three great empires for approximately sixteen centuries. Until the mid-20th century, the Galata Tower was one of the tallest structures in Istanbul, and its top floor offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city. Currently, the tower is in the UNESCO tentative heritage category.
