Galata Tower

Galata Tower was constructed in the mid-14th century by the Genoese as part of the fortifications of Galata, during a time when the neighborhood was a Genoese colony under the Byzantine Empire. During the Ottoman period, the tower served various functions, including as a prison and later as a fire-watch tower. Over the centuries, it suffered damage from earthquakes and fires and underwent several restorations under Ottoman rule.

By the 1960s, the structure had fallen into significant disrepair. It was subsequently restored by the Istanbul Municipality and opened to the public. In 2020, the tower underwent a comprehensive restoration by the General Directorate of Foundations. In this process, later-added concrete elements and the cafeteria were removed, and the tower was reopened as a museum.

Today, the Galata Tower Museum showcases artifacts representing all historical periods of Istanbul — a city that has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times and served as the capital of three great empires over approximately sixteen centuries.

Until the mid-20th century, Galata Tower remained one of the tallest structures in Istanbul. Its top floor offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Together with other Genoese towers in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, the Galata Tower is included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.