The first flight in history was achieved in the 17th century by Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi, who used wooden wings strapped to his arms. Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi successfully flew from the Galata Tower to the Üsküdar district.
Galata Tower is one of the oldest and most important towers in Galata. It was built as a wooden lighthouse by Byzantine Emperor Anastasius in 507, and in 1348, it came under the control of the Genoese. The tower was rebuilt from masonry stone and renamed Christ Tower. With the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453, the tower came under Ottoman rule. It was used as a dungeon in the 15th century and as a fire tower in the 16th century. The first flight in history was accomplished in the 17th century by Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi, who flew with wooden wings strapped to his arms from the Galata Tower to the Üsküdar district. The tower was damaged in the Galata Fire of 1832 and was repaired by Mahmud II, subsequently serving as a signaling tower. After the restoration in 1967, it reached its current appearance and was opened as a tourist facility. Thus, the historic district of Galata in Istanbul was named after the tower, which is the most significant structure left by the Genoese.
Galata Tower is located between Karaköy and Taksim. There is an entrance fee to ascend the tower, but you will be rewarded with a magnificent view at the top, offering a 360-degree perspective of Istanbul's history. In 2013, the operation was transferred to BELTUR, a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. At that time, there were cafes and restaurants on the top two floors of the tower. The same year, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List. In 2019, the ownership and management were transferred to the General Directorate of Foundations. After the work carried out in 2020, the tower was arranged as a museum and exhibition space. In 2023, restoration work was carried out on the roof.
Galata Tower Entrance Information
Museum Card holders can enter Galata Tower without paying any additional fee. Visitors without a Museum Card can purchase tickets to visit.
Galata Tower Visiting Hours
Galata Tower is open to visitors every day from 08:30 to 23:00. The latest entry to the Galata Tower is at 22:00.
Restoration Announcement
Due to roof repair works on Galata Tower, the 8th floor of the tower was closed to visitors in November 2023. During this process, the tower's weather vane was conserved, and it was reinstalled on February 20, 2024; georadar studies were conducted on the body walls and ground of the structure. Based on the identified details, exterior repairs will also be carried out.
During the restoration works, approximately 400 migratory bird nests found on the body walls of Galata Tower will never be harmed; all applications will be carried out considering the migration season of bird nests and swiftlets.
Galata Tower will temporarily remain closed to visitors due to strengthening against earthquakes and exterior repair works.
