Galata Tower in Istanbul: history and photos from the observation deck. Galata Tower Restaurant in the Galata Tower

Dear readers, today my story is about one more sight.Istanbul is the Galata Tower (with the accent on the last syllable). It is impossible not to pay attention to this tower, it is visible from many places in the city, often visited by tourists.

Galata Tower is located in the European part of Istanbul in the Beyoglu district, not far from Istiklal Street. It stands on the highest point of the Galata Hill. In the foreground is the Galata Bridge across the Golden Horn Bay.

In the 13th century, Byzantium gave the land where the tower stands to the Genoese for their help in the fight against enemies. The Genoese founded their large settlement, which at the beginning of the 14th century was surrounded by a wall, turning it into a fortress, and on the highest point of the hill they built a stone watchtower, calling it the Tower of Christ. It was used to monitor passing ships. Actually, this tower has survived to this day, having undergone changes both in appearance and in its purpose.

Small remains of the fortress wall and two surrounding ditches have survived to our time. Two old streets near the tower bear the historical names Big Ditch and Small Ditch.

Now the area around the Galata Tower is very densely populated, like all the old districts of Istanbul.

The Galata Tower received its current name in the 15th century after the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks. In 1509, a strong earthquake occurred in Istanbul, which significantly damaged the tower. It was restored by one of the prominent architects of that time, Khaireddin. After the restoration, the lower floors of the tower were used as a prison.

In 1566, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, an observatory was equipped in the tower, which was run by the famous Ottoman astronomer Takiuddin. The observatory existed until the reign of Sultan Murad III, who again turned the tower into a prison for convicts.

And one more very interesting historical fact. In 1638, during the reign of Sultan Murad IV, the great Ottoman inventor Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi flew from the top of the tower on wings he designed. He flew through the Bosphorus for almost 3.5 km and landed safely in the Asian region of Yuskyudar. After that, the tower for some time received the name Hezarfen Kulesi, that is, the Tower of Hezarfen. However, having presented the inventor with gold, the sultan did not want to have a person of such an outstanding mind next to him and exiled Khezarfen to Algeria, where he soon died at the age of only 31 years.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the tower was used as a fire station, the fire situation in the city was constantly monitored from it, and fire brigades were located in the premises of the tower. Only the tower itself was not saved from fire. Twice, at the end of the 18th century. and in the second half of the 19th century, the tower was subjected to large destructive fires, and was restored twice, each time undergoing some changes in the design.

The last major restoration was carried out by the Istanbul Municipality in 1967. The famous conical roof of the tower, demolished by an unprecedented storm at the end of the 19th century, was restored, a spiral stone staircase leading to the very top of the tower was restored, and two elevators were installed for the convenience of visitors. Tourists are very willing to visit the tower. On the upper tier, around the entire circumference of the tower, there is a balcony with a railing that serves as an observation deck, which offers stunning views of ancient and modern Istanbul, as well as the waters of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and even the Sea of ​​Marmara seen in the distance. The observation deck is located at an altitude of 137 m above sea level.

In the photo above, a view of the historical peninsula of the Sultanahmet district. The Sea of ​​Marmara is visible on the horizon. And right in front of your eyes is the beginning of the Golden Horn Bay, where the Eminonu pier is located. The Galata Bridge is thrown across the bay, which I will discuss below. On the peninsula, you can see the Hagia Sophia Mosque-Museum on the left and the Blue Mosque with six minarets on the right. I have talked about these masterpieces in detail in previous articles.

The picture below is the same view, just to the left. It's like a T-shaped sea crossing. Away behind the peninsula is the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Bosphorus goes to the left, here is its very beginning. To the right, along the built-up European coast, the Golden Horn Bay leaves. And right behind the Bosphorus on the Asian shore is the Yuskyudar region, where Hezarfen landed on his wings.

And a few more photos of the city from the observation deck.

To the left under the red awnings of the cafe on the roof

On the upper floors of the tower there is an observation deck, a restaurant, as well as a cafe and a nightclub.

Observation deck around the Galata tower. Tiered below the restaurant

At night, the Galata Tower is illuminated so beautifully that it is simply breathtaking.

However, even in the daytime it attracts the eye, no matter where you are in the city.

The shores of the Golden Horn Bay are connected by the Galata Bridge, which is a very interesting structure. It is two-level. At the top, traffic for vehicles and pedestrians is open, and below there are numerous fish restaurants and retail outlets. In the central part, a place was left for the passage of boats. They say that this bridge is sliding to allow large ships to pass, but, to be honest, I have never observed this.

Hundreds of residents of Istanbul daily, in winter and summer, fish on the Galata Bridge. I don’t know much about fish, but, in my opinion, the fish are small, although some occasionally have larger ones. Probably, the main thing here is fishing excitement.

Below is your life. There are many good fish restaurants serving excellently cooked fish. You can’t call prices cheap, but you can afford it once or twice. Some restaurants are open almost until the morning, it is very pleasant to be there, especially in the evening, because a wonderful view of the bay and Istanbul at night opens up.

My story about the Galata Tower is over for today. I really hope you enjoyed it. See you in the next story about Istanbul!

Marina Pavlova-Yildirim was with you.

(Turkey). From its height offers a magnificent view of this ancient and interesting city. If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, be sure to include a visit to Galata in your itinerary! You can read about the history of the building, as well as how to get here, in this article. You will also find out what impressions the tourists had from visiting this attraction.

Galata tower: photo, description

Galata was erected in the XIV century. Its height is 61 meters. In addition, it is located on a hill, so the structure rises above sea level by as much as 140 meters! Thanks to this, the Galata Tower can be seen from almost every district of Istanbul.

Story

The Galata Tower boasts a centuries-old history. So, historians believe that a tower was erected in its place as early as the 5th century AD. At that time, the Byzantine emperor Justinian was the ruler here. But then the structure was wooden, so it could not last long. The Galata tower was erected on this site already from stone in 1348.

A century later, Byzantium was captured by the Turks. Accordingly, Galata passed into their possession. At different times, the tower performed a variety of functions: a lighthouse for merchant ships, a fire tower, an observatory, and even a prison.

Throughout its long history, the building has been restored more than once. The last large-scale work was carried out in 1967. Then the dome of the tower was rebuilt, elevators were erected. Also on one of the upper floors equipped with a restaurant. The diameter of the cone-shaped roof is almost 9 meters, and the width of the walls is 3.75 meters.

By the way, Galata is also known as Hezarfena. The world-famous flight of Turkish Icarus is also associated with it. So, in the middle of the 17th century, a scientist named Hezarfen Ahmet Chelyabi was able to fly from the roof of the structure to the Asian coast of the Bosphorus Strait on a glider, which he himself designed.

Viewpoint

Today, this building is popular due to the restaurant and nightclub located in it, as well as, of course, the observation deck. In addition, on the top floor of the tower for an additional fee (about 5 euros) you can take a picture in As for the restaurant, the prices here are not at all low. However, the opening from is definitely worth it to allow yourself to drink here at least a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. By the way, experienced tourists recommend visiting this place in the late afternoon. At this time, there are not many visitors here. Also on the first floor of Galata there is a souvenir shop. Here you can buy a variety of memorabilia.

As for the observation deck, the view from the Galata Tower is truly amazing. So, the whole of Istanbul will stretch before you at a glance. In addition, the bay and the Sea of ​​​​Marmara are clearly visible from here.

Galata Tower: how to get there

This attraction is located in the European part of the city in an area called Galata. As already mentioned, the tower is located on a hill. It can be seen from almost every district of Istanbul, so you can't go wrong in the direction. There are several ways to get to the Galata Tower:

• You can get to the stop "Karakoy" by tram, and then walk up the stairs in the direction of Istiklal Street.
• If you are walking along Istiklal Street, then, having reached its end, you can turn right. You will come to the square where the Galata Tower is located.
• When you get to the Karakoy stop, you can use the Tunel metro station, and then take a short walk in the direction of the Golden Horn Bay.

This attraction is open for visiting every day from nine in the morning until half past eight in the evening. In winter, the tower closes earlier. However, the restaurant is open until midnight. The cost of visiting the observation deck of Galata is about 13 liras.

Address: Buyuk Hendek Caddesi, Galata.
Opening hours: in summer from 09:00 to 19:00;
winter period from 09:00 to 17:00.
The cost of visiting the observation deck: 18.5 TL.

Galata tower - the silent guardian of the Golden Horn

Istanbul- a city of volcanic energy, overflowing with oriental exoticism inherent in Asia, at the same time it is too comfortable, not allowing you to forget that this is also Europe. From many of its points one can see Bosphorus, Golden Horn and of course Galata Tower, bearing tireless watch for many centuries, silently watching from above the ferries departing from the berths, snow-white liners, the hurrying crowd, calling, magnetically attracting.

History of the Galata Tower - if stones could talk...

Shrouded in legends, tragic and happy stories, the grandiose structure has seen a lot in its lifetime: it was an eyewitness to the change of empires, bringing to us the history of the distant past. How much could its walls tell...
Even at the end of the V Art. this place housed a large dairy market, surrounded by spacious pastures with lush herbs. The area was called Galata, perhaps due to the living Gauls. At its highest point stood a wooden lighthouse, which did not allow ships entering the restless waters to go astray. Bosphorus.
Helping Byzantium to fight enemies in the 13th century, the Genoese received these lands as a gift, establishing a colony. Day and night, work was in full swing on the construction of residential buildings, warehouses, marinas. Surrounding them with a reliable fence with pointed battlements, a deep impenetrable moat, the industrious people turned the territory into an impregnable fortress. In 1348, the lighthouse was replaced by a gigantic 70-meter stone tower with a diameter of 9 meters with thick walls reaching 4 meters, with a total weight of about 10 thousand tons. Having installed a cross at the top, they called it the "Tower of Christ" (or the Cross). From the top, sea distances opened up, not a single passing ship went unnoticed.
1453 became fatal for the Byzantine Empire. The Turks who broke into Constantinople took possession of it. The conquerors destroyed everything in their path: they burned dwellings, robbed, killed, mocked. "Who will tell about the cries and cries of children, about the insane scream of their mothers, about the sobs of fathers - who will tell?" The Genoese decided not to leave their native land, they were ready to die. By order of Mehmed, a dome with a cross fell to the ground, a pointed spire ascended to heaven. The height of the gigantic structure has decreased by almost 7 m. The lower floor has turned into a prison.
The rulers changed, bringing changes to the fate of the majestic building. Murad III, having made a reconstruction, decided to place an observatory in it. People have long been attracted by the sky, beckoned, occupied by the thought of flight. They wanted to fly like birds. Many tried, but fell hopelessly. One daredevil succeeded once.

Turkish Icarus

In 1630, the talented scientist Hezarfen Ahmed Chelebi was lucky enough to make extraordinary wings. Rising to the top Galata Tower, attaching them, waiting for a fair wind, stepped into the void and ... flew. Hundreds of people watched him with a sinking heart. Sultan Murad IV, who was then ruling, personally watched the daredevil from the Topkapi Palace. He refused to believe: a man, like a bird, flew, hovered over the turquoise surface of the strait and landed safely on the Asian coast. The flight lasted more than 3 km. Incredible victory! Unique case! The enthusiastic Sultan rewarded the "flyer" with a purse of gold. The clergy did not like this success. They managed to convince the ruler that only the Prophet Muhammad was given the opportunity to ascend to heaven and return, it is not appropriate for an ordinary person to do this. A decisive act does not require a reward, but an execution. At the behest of the lord, the fearless hero was exiled to exile, where the poor man died. Sadly ended the greatest beautiful human achievement. And for a long time the tower was named after the brave man, Khezarfen Ahmet Celebi.

vicissitudes of fate

After the next restoration work on the upper part in 1883, the building was given a modern look: it was painted white and yellow, a viewing platform appeared, from where fires and the slightest disturbances were monitored around the clock, which were immediately suppressed. In case of danger, the guards on duty gave a signal during the day with flags, at night - with lanterns. In special drums, replacing the bell, they beat the alarm.
However, ironically, this did not save the campanile from the fires that occurred during the reign of Selim III. People looked with horror and tears in their eyes at the building engulfed in flames, which had become dear to them. The fire was extinguished, the blackened, sooty surface looked pitiful, crying out for help. The padishah gave the order to immediately restore the building. Before it had time to shine in all its novelty, as one of the hot August days it caught fire again, acquiring a deplorable state.

Risen from the ashes

A major overhaul was carried out under Mahmud II, after which the building was transformed, as we see it today. In the XVIII century. the world's first military band was located here, delighting with music, giving the townspeople a signal about the onset of midnight.
Neither fires, nor bloody wars, nor internecine strife broke down a wonderful sight, the pride of Istanbulites. Majestically and proudly, she sailed through the centuries like a guard, vigilantly watching the surroundings. By 1967, it was completely restored, rewarding its long centuries-old service with a beautiful conical roof. She rose, resurrected, became more beautiful than before, attracting the attention of artists who captured her magnificence on canvases, poets who sang of her in their lines, among which, unfortunately, there are also gloomy notes.
The well-known Turkish writer Umit Yasar Ouzcan describes an incident that happened here with a guy who climbed on a wonderful sunny day to a viewing place and stepped from it into eternity, "throwing into the air the Spring of his life along with all the hopes shattered into pieces." Each word is saturated with pain, inhuman suffering, because his son was the one who was broken. What made a young, 23-year-old, handsome, energetic young man kill himself? Unrequited love, betrayal? Perhaps he entrusted the secret to these stones, but they are silent ...
Campanile rises 140 meters above sea level. From the shores Golden Horn it is separated by 425 m. It’s no secret to anyone: if you don’t go up to the observation deck, where your soul will freeze from a dizzying height (61 m), take your breath away from contemplating a charming picturesque picture, consider that you haven’t seen the divine beauty of the real Istanbul.

Panorama from the sky

The wall at the entrance is decorated with 16 laudatory and grateful lines dedicated to Mahmud II, who managed to help the building revive and restore its former grandeur. As many as 9 floors rush to the sky, on the last one there is an observation zone, at 3600. Starting from the sixth, narrow elongated windows let in light; on the ninth they are spacious with large arches. On the door of the elevator, which quickly delivers tourists to the seventh floor, is a bronze portrait of Suleiman, painted by the court artist Matrakchi Nasuh Efendi. Upon leaving, visitors will look at the relief image of the local Icarus. The remaining two tiers will have to be conquered on foot along a spiral staircase.
A small door will lead to the viewing area. A strong wind with a salty taste of the sea will hit your face, an ordinary companion of the skies. The words will disappear in an instant, the breath will be taken away from the opened view: the arrows of skyscrapers rush to heaven, the candles illuminated by the sun of the minarets of Yeni Valide, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque. And behind them - the endless sea, washing the shores. The silhouettes of the Princes' Islands are hidden in the haze - a small paradise on the planet, where ships constantly leave, plowing the gray Sea of ​​​​Marmara. All at a glance - all Istanbul, fussy, always in a hurry, - a fairy tale of the East, which is used to seeing its living symbols - seagulls. The panorama is worth it to be here, overcoming the involuntary, painful fear of heights. She amazes, bewitches, captivates ...
The multi-colored roofs of buildings, numerous narrow streets are striking, where, as if in an anthill, people are bustling about, in a hurry, seething, life is in full swing. From here it is especially noticeable how densely populated the city is. It is impossible to describe the emotions that overwhelm the soul, it must be seen.
Do you want to witness the most amazing sunset in the world? Take the tired Istanbul sun to rest. The black dome of the night sky is mesmerizing, dotted with huge stars, which has become much closer. Fantastic picture! For an avid photographer - a real treat! In a cozy restaurant or nightclub you can have a bite to eat, relax, admiring amazing oriental dances, enjoying songs.

The ancient marvelous city, spread under your feet in all its charm and splendor, is worth that portion of adrenaline and fear thrown out. In return, you will get a feeling of delight and a feeling of happiness that overwhelms the soul, which you will never forget. Only people with a callous, blind heart can remain indifferent, not noticing, not appreciating. After all, "you can't see the most important thing with your eyes - only the heart is vigilant."

Istanbul guide on our website.

In the historical appearance of Istanbul, not only Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire left their mark, but also the state of Genoa. After the capture of Byzantine lands on the northern shore of the Golden Horn Bay, the Genoese founded their colony there.

To protect it, a defensive tower was erected, which has become one of the iconic landmarks of modern Istanbul. For hundreds of years, it has changed more than one name and in our time is known as the Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi).

In contact with

After the conquest of Constantinople and the Genoese colony by the Ottomans, the Galata Tower in Istanbul used to hold prisoners. Only during the reign of Suleiman II did its purpose become more peaceful: the court astronomer began to use it as an observatory.

Subsequently, the equipment of the observatory fell into disrepair, and all attempts to restore it failed. In the 18th century, the lower part was again used as a prison, and its upper part became an observation deck for fire brigades.

Throughout its existence, it has been subjected to repeated destruction. In 1509, it was badly damaged by an earthquake, and later often burned during city fires. But every time the inhabitants and the authorities of the city patiently restored it. It acquired its modern look after reconstruction in 1967, when the observation deck was covered with a cone-shaped roof.

Description

The height is 61 meters, and taking into account the hill on which it stands, the tower rises 141 meters above the surrounding city. For a long time it was the tallest building in the area. The thickness of the walls, which is about 3 meters, is striking.

Currently, the Galata Tower functions as a tourist site. In order to make it easier for tourists to overcome 9 floors, during the last reconstruction, 2 elevators were launched inside.

Most visitors come here for the purpose enjoy great views opening from the observation deck. In addition, ferries and even ferries scurrying along the Bosphorus can be clearly seen from the observation deck. The image of this iconic landmark for Istanbul can be found on many souvenirs and photographs of the city.

Near it, local informal youth often gather, and during a walk here you can get acquainted with the customs of the indigenous inhabitants of the city. On the upper floors there is a restaurant and a night club GALATA NIGHT CLUB, where you can see national Turkish dances.

For informational purposes, we present you some pictures taken by tourists.

Contacts

The Galata Tower is located in the Beyoğlu district near the Galata Bridge. You will find information about the districts of Istanbul, and about bridges -. The exact address is: Galata Kulesi Sokak, Galata, Istanbul. From the old town, it is most convenient to get here by tram, getting off at the Karakoy stop. From here you can climb the streets on your own, or you can take the underground funicular, which is called Tünel.

If you are staying far from the city center, then you need to get to the Taksim metro station. From Taksim Square you can walk along Isteklal Street (İstiklal caddesi), which, due to its architecture, is also a landmark of Istanbul. It can be seen from almost anywhere in the city center. so it's impossible to get lost. To get acquainted with the streets of the city, go.

- a very convenient service, because this way you can manage your time on vacation yourself.

The ancient cities of Turkey are perfect for lovers of antiquity and history, because only in these places every corner is saturated with mystery and mystery of the past. For more information about the legends associated with the ancient cities of Turkey, you can find by clicking on the following link.

The observation deck is open to visitors daily, from 9.00 to 19.00 in summer and from 9.00 to 17.00 in winter. The restaurant and night club are open from 9.00 to 24.00. The ticket price in 2013 was 13 Turkish lira. All changes in operation can be found on the website //www.galatatower.net.

It is important to know

The most beautiful view of Istanbul from the observation deck is at sunset, when the city appears in all its glory with skillfully made illumination. But you need to remember that there are a lot of people who want to meet the sunset on the Galata Tower and allow time for queuing

Stop! Breathe evenly and be absolutely calm! Now I will tell you about one of the oldest towers in the world, the iconic Istanbul landmark - the Galata Tower. Its conical-roofed cylinder, towering majestically above the surroundings, was visible from the Old City, where we walked. She called and beckoned: after all, everyone knows that if you didn’t climb the Galata Tower in Istanbul and didn’t look at the panorama of the city from there, if you didn’t take your breath away from the amazing view that opened up to you, you haven’t seen the real Istanbul yet.

On one of the seven hills

It's funny that the city, which once bore the name of the second Rome, also stands on seven hills. And on one of them, in the European part of Istanbul, the stone Galata Tower rises. This is all that remains of the citadel that once surrounded the Genoese colony. From such a high tower, and even located on a hill, the Genoese, the buildings of Constantinople, saw the open sea and could follow the arriving ships, both their own and others, as well as port work. It also served for communication - messages lit at the top were transmitted over long distances.

Do you remember that the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XI, blocked the entrance to the Golden Horn to Turkish ships with a chain - the most vulnerable place in the city? The chain went from the tower of St. Eugene on Cape Saraiburnu (Palace Cape), on the hill of which the very Topkapi Palace is located, to the Galata Tower, where its second end was attached. Oh, sorry to say, but it looks like it was a completely different tower. I rummaged through a lot of material, finally found that it was called the Chain Tower, and the subject of our interest, the Galata Tower, was then called the Tower of Christ.

When the Turks conquered Constantinople, the cunning Genoese quickly found a common language with them and were the first to start trading with the Ottoman Empire. But, at the request of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, part of the walls of their fortress was demolished and, at the same time, the height of the Galata Tower was reduced.

Now she is like this:

Diameter - outside - 16.5 meters, inside - about 9 meters. Read for yourself how thick its walls are at the base!
Height - 67 m
from the top point of the roof to the water surface of the bay - 425 meters.
A staircase of 143 steps leads upstairs

The Galata Tower - a former prison, a lighthouse, an observatory, is being transformed ...

The Galata Tower is over 650 years old, it was built in 1348. Who has she not been in her long life!

It was a watch and signal tower. She was a beacon. They looked from it to see if there were any fires anywhere. She was an observatory. It was a prison, an arsenal and a barracks. Now it serves tourists.

Due to fires and earthquakes, little has been preserved of its original appearance. However, it is interesting that its first three floors are designed in the Genoese style, while the upper floors represent Turkish architecture. The last restoration of the Galata Tower lasted three years and ended in 1967. Now 2 elevators take visitors up to the 7th floor, from where you have to go through two flights of stairs to get to the observation deck. This is a narrow circular balcony, from where they look at the panorama of the city. Memories of views of the city and especially the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn will be one of your best memories of Istanbul.

And here we are after them. First on the elevator, and then along the circular spiral staircase. Poor railings, strong winds, a narrow space between the tower and the fence, a lot of people ... It's frankly scary, high ... Perhaps even dangerous, the stones under your feet slip a little, and the balcony is so narrow! Friends, hold on tight to the railings!

But Sanya is not afraid, he is not up to it. He sets up the tripod of the camera, blocking everyone's path and takes pictures, takes pictures. Katya and I are standing and shaking. I - from fear for them (HEIGHT!!!), Katya from the cold. I give her my jacket. Now I'm shaking for everyone, both for the cold and for the height... I look around at the wall, the windows: it turns out that there is a restaurant inside...

Yes, in addition to a wonderful observation deck, there is a nightclub and a restaurant inside the tower. Having taken the necessary shots, we went there. It turned out that the restaurant is very expensive. “Nooo, not for that kind of money,” we decided and went away.

Legends of the Galata Tower

Sometimes walls are more than just the stones they are built from. Often buildings and their walls keep secrets in their depths. This is why it is often said: “If the walls could talk…” A lot of interesting things could be heard from the walls of old Istanbul buildings. And, of course, the Galata tower could tell a lot of interesting stories to the audience.

For example, the story associated with the Turkish scientist Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi, who lived in the 17th century. One fine day, he climbed to the top of the Galata Tower in Istanbul, flapped with wings attached to his arms, jumped off the tower and ... flew over the Bosphorus. The Turkish Icarus landed on the Asian coast of Istanbul in the Uskudar region, flying about three and a half kilometers. It was the first transcontinental flight. After this spectacular event, the Galata Tower entered the Ottoman history and for a long time it was called the Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi Tower in Istanbul. The scientist died early, at the age of 31. One of the city's three airports is named after him.

In addition, there was a period when the tower served as a kind of sports equipment. Ropes were fixed at the top and people slid down them and climbed back to the top of the tower. Such competitions were popular and were held regularly.

There was also a sad story. Relatively recently, a 23-year-old young man committed suicide by jumping from it. The reasons for this remain unclear. Since he is young, then, most likely, love ... The father of the deceased was the famous Turkish poet Umit Yashar Ouzcan. The poet expressed his pain from the loss in verse:

June 6, 1973
On a beautiful hot summer day
When the world was so beautiful and bright
On this day, a man fell from the tower,
He suddenly threw in the air,
Spring of your life
With all your hopes
Broken to pieces
A man fell from the Galata tower
That person was my son….

Galata Bridge - a different perspective of Istanbul

But then we left the tower and went down a steep street to the Galata Bridge, which goes across the Golden Horn Bay. It is said that its current appearance was designed by the great Leonardo da Vinci himself. But Sultan Bayezid II, for some reason, rejected his project. The bridge was built much later, at the beginning of the 19th century.

Fishermen with fishing rods crowded around the railings of the Galata Bridge, the evening sun in the sky tinted the clouds with purple, countless seagulls rushed and screamed ... From the side of the Sultanahmet district, the opposite coast did not look like something special. But from here the view was beautiful, we looked at the historical peninsula for a long time, at the heart of Istanbul. It was a new, better view of the city, unexpectedly revealed to us.

The Galata Bridge leads to the old part of the city, which keeps the memory of the former capital of the Byzantine emperors and Turkish sultans.

The two oldest districts of the city, they are like the two souls of Istanbul: one conservative, eastern, and the second, permeated with a western mentality, and between them - the Galata Bridge that unites them across the waters of the bay.