Galata Tower, regarded as one of the oldest towers in the world and one of Istanbul's emblems, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in 2013. One of the most significant buildings that make up Istanbul's silhouette, Galata Tower, was also known as Galata Fire Tower since it served as a long-term fire watchtower.

History of the Galata Tower

The original Galata Tower was erected in 507–508 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinianos. On the north side of Istanbul's Golden Horn, in the Galata citadel, stood the historic Tower of Galata, also known as "Megalos Pyrgos," or Great Tower. The tower served as the great chain's northern terminus at that time, and it was extended across the mouth of the Golden Horn to stop hostile ships from entering the harbor.A mechanism for lifting and lowering the chain was built within the tower. Contrast this tower with the current Galata Tower, which is still standing and situated at the highest and northernmost point of the Galatian fortress.

In 1348–1349, the Genoese rebuilt the existing tower. The majority of the walls and the first tower were demolished by the Byzantines when the Genoans conquered Galata in the 1300s. In the end, they rebuilt every bastion and wall. They also laid the groundwork for the current tower and rebuilt the Galata Tower, which was at the top of the walls. As a result of a cross on its cone, the tower was given the name "Christea Turris" (Tower of Christ), and over time it came to represent this small Latin civilization.

By presenting the key to Fatih Sultan Mehmet on the morning of May 29, 1453, the Ottomans were given control of the Galata Tower following the capture of Istanbul. The handover of Galata was finished on Friday, June 1, according to the inscription carved into the marble at the entrance, which reads: "On the morning of Tuesday, May 29, 1453, the Genoese gave the keys of the Galata colony to Fatih Sultan Mehmed." Between the years 1445 and 46, the tower was raised. Architect Murad bin Hayreddin restored it after an earthquake in the 1500s damaged it. III. A bay window is later placed on the tower's upper story after repairs were made during the Selim era.

II. Mahmut rises two more levels above the tower and the top of the tower is covered with the well-known cone-shaped roof cover after the tower suffered another fire in 1831. The structure was renovated in 1967 and then in 2020. 

The Architecture of Galata Tower

The crumbled stone construction method was used to construct Galata Tower Turkey. Stone mesh covers the outside. The 16-line lyrical inscription, which is positioned above the entryway, describes how Sultan Mahmud II had the tower rebuilt after it was damaged by fire. Between the two crescent and star patterns, Sultan Mahmud II's tughra is scraped.

The round, arched window above the door served as the troops' observation point. After the high ground floor, the building has nine floors. The cylindrical body's windows are circular arches made of bricks. The contoured moldings that encircle the cylindrical body draw attention to the development of the final two floors that are immediately below the cone roof. Under the cone-shaped roof, there is an observation deck with a metal-decorated network encircling the floor. Round arches supported by large niche piers and windows with round arches made of brick may be found on the lower floor.

Today, it is noted that the building's third floor and above have a Genoese character, while the floors below have an Ottoman character. The structure was renovated into a museum with exhibition spaces by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2020, and it will be accessible to visitors on October 6, 2020, which is Istanbul's Independence Day. If you are asking about Galata Tower and how many steps, here is the answer: There are 211 steps in Galata Tower Istanbul.

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