| Istanbul from the Galata Tower (picture by Richard Herring) |  |
Istanbul from the Galata Tower
Photographer Description of Istanbul from the Galata Tower
The Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi in Turkish) - called Christea Turris (the Tower of Christ in Latin) by the Genoese - is a medieval stone tower in the Galata district of Istanbul, Turkey, just to the north of the Golden Horn. One of the city's most striking landmarks, it is a high, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and affords a panoramic vista of Old Istanbul and its environs.Istanbul from the Galata Tower - Further Information
The Galata Tower stands on a 35m high hill in the Galata district of Istanbul. It is 66.90 meters tall with an observation deck 51.65m above ground level. Built in 1348, and called the Christea Turris, the tower was the apex of fortifications surrounding the Genoese citadel of Galata. When first built this was the tallest structure in the city.The upper sections were modified by the Ottomans and it was used as a lookout for spotting fires within Istanbul. Originally the interior was made of wood, which burned on more than one occasion. The wooden interior was replaces with the current concrete structure between 1965-1967, when the tower first opened to the public.
The viewing platform of the Galata Tower offers stunning, panoramic views over the Golden Horn and the skyline of Istanbul. From here many of the main landmarks and attractions, such as the Topkapı Palace on Seraglio Point, the Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque, the Yeni (New) Mosque and many more can easily be seen. Galata Tower is a popular attraction at sunset.
This composite virtual tour panorama was created taking pictures out of the windows on the viewing tower and then stitched together to give an impression of what Istanbul looks like from here, as if suspended in mid air.
Address:
Galata Tower
Buyuk Hendek Cad.
Istanbul, Turkey
Travel Directions and Getting There:
Bus: İETT Kemeraltı Durağı, İETT Tünel Karaköy İstasyonu
Funicluar: Beyoğlu Tünel, Karaköy
Tram: Karaköy
