Top of the Galata Tower | Flickr: Jerzy Kociatkiewicz CC-BY-SA 2.0 History
The predecessor of today's Galata Tower was built as early as 528 during the reign of Justinian I. After it was destroyed during the conquest of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204, the Genoese rebuilt it as part of their fortifications during the days of their rule. During the Ottoman Empire, the tower served as a base for the Janissaries, a prison and a watchtower. In 1967, the historic structure was last restored to its original state.
Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi
It is told that the universal genius Ahmet Çelebi succeeded in 1638 in a 1.8 mile (3 km) long gliding flight over the Bosporus with self-built artificial wings. He took off from the Galata Tower and flew across the strait between Europe and Asia to today's Doğancılar Park. This would be the first intercontinental flight.
View from the Galata Tower The Galata Tower Today: The Best Viewpoint in Istanbul
There are a total of nine floors in the tower, with the last two floors housing a restaurant with 360˚ view and the view deck. An elevator leads from the first floor to the seventh floor, the rest of the way up has to be done by stairs.