The most impressive of Istanbul’s historic view terraces is on the Galata Tower: Istanbul is within your grasp, and a complete 360° panoramic view of Istanbul is at your disposal: the Golden Horn, Eyüp, Pera, the Bosphorus, Scutari and Chalcedon, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Süleymaniye Mosque, and again the Golden Horn...
The Genoese first settled in the Golden Horn’s shore on the Historical Peninsula during the 12th century. When the Byzantine Empire suffered Latin invasion during the 4th Crusade in 1204, the Genoese colony used the chaos to their advantage and declared its independence. Once the Byzantine Empire dealt with the invasion, it did not allow the colony to live on the Historical Peninsula and exiled them to Galata on the other side of the Golden Horn.
The Genoese became richer than the Byzantines thanks to their shipping trade, established an autonomous government and built their own city walls. The largest tower on these walls, with a height of approximately 70 m and a diameter of 16.5 m, is the Galata Tower, referred to as Torre di Cristo (Christ Tower) by the Genoese and Megalos Pyrgos (Great Tower) by the Byzantine, which was completed in 1348 with the help of Mehmed the Conqueror’s father Murad II.
The Genoese remained neutral during the 1453’s siege of Istanbul which would result in the fall of the Byzantine, in order to get privileges from Mehmed II (the Conqueror). While Mehmed II did grant Galata some privileges after the conquest, he attempted to turkicize Galata, and also had approximately 1.5 meters destroyed off the top of the tower.
In the following centuries, the appearance of the tower constantly changed, as it was affected by fires and the wind. As seen in the works of 16th century miniaturists Matrakçı Nasuh and Nakkaş Osman, by that time it had become a typical Ottoman tower with a conic roof.
One of the interesting events in the tower’s history, depicted in Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname, is Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi flying from the top of the Galata Tower and landing in Üsküdar, during the reign of Murad IV.
As the Galata Tower got damaged by fires and wind, its appearance was changed. With a comprehensive restoration that was done between the years 1964 and 1967, a look closer to its original appearance was attempted, and a conic roof was added.
There is a “touristic” restaurant in the Galata Tower where you can enjoy your meal while watching enjoying belly dancing and watching the view of Istanbul. But the true delight of the view terrace can be experienced during daytime, without having to do to the restaurant!
http://www.galatatower.net/english/
