Galata Tower -

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Galata Tower, also known as Christ Tower or Christea Turris, is a medieval stone tower and one of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul. The Galata Tower is located in the Galata district of Istanbul. It dominates the whole city and offers a panoramic view of old Istanbul and its surroundings that attracts both locals and visitors from all over the world.

The Galata Tower is about 68 meters high, making it the tallest structure in Istanbul when it was built. It rises 35 meters above sea level with an outer diameter of 16.5 meters and an inner diameter of 9 meters, while its walls are 3.75 meters thick. The tower was built in 1348 by a group of Genoese during the expansion of this colony in Constantinople; originally the tower was known as Christea Turris and it was modified several times, especially during the Ottoman period when it was used as an observation tower to detect fires.

History

The Genoese established their parish in Galata after 1273 and maintained their control over the area until 1682. They were bound by a strict ban on the construction of fortifications. However, despite the negative reaction of the Byzantines, they managed to fortify their district with a moat and a wall that surrounded their houses. The first castle they built to surround their parish was called Magnifica communita di Perra. With an imperial decree in 1302, the Genoese of Galata were officially allowed to erect fortification walls.
It was used by the Ottomans as a prison.

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Currently, there is a luxurious restaurant at the top of the tower; of course, the main attraction is the spectacular view of Istanbul, especially at night. For the convenience of visitors, there are also two working elevators that transport tourists from the lower to the upper levels.