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Galata sits on the European side of the Golden Horn at its narrowest point, where the medieval Genoese tower (built 1348) still rises above the modern marina and looks down on the Bosphorus. From the water, the silhouette of Galata Tower, Süleymaniye Mosque, and Dolmabahçe Palace lines up in a single panorama. Charter boats cast off from the small marina at Karaköy just below the tower and head up the strait past Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, and the Bosphorus bridges. Onshore, the Karaköy waterfront holds the city's best meyhane row and the Istanbul Modern museum. Season runs April through November; the Bosphorus is sheltered year-round.
The Galata Tower, as one of Istanbul's iconic structures, creates a striking silhouette on the opposite shore of the Bosphorus, adding a unique atmosphere to the city's landscape, especially at night. The first tower on this site was constructed in 528 by Emperor Justinian, but the robust tower we see today was built by the Genoese between 1348-1349. Standing at 69.9 meters tall, the tower has historically served as a maritime observation post, a fire watch point, and a prison. Climbing the tower offers a breathtaking panorama of Istanbul; the beauty of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and the majestic silhouette of the Historical Peninsula. Following its restoration in 2020, the tower reopened to visitors as a museum.
Within the scope of the Galataport project, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, now in its new building, invites visitors to explore contemporary art against the backdrop of a magnificent Istanbul view. Opened in 2004, the museum brings art enthusiasts together with its rich collection and striking exhibitions. For 14 years, the museum continued its activities in its original home at Antrepo No. 4 in Tophane. It moved to its renovated building, designed by Renzo Piano, in 2023 as part of the Galataport Project.
Ascending from Galata, discovering Beyoğlu along İstiklal Avenue is like feeling the pulse of the city. Upon reaching Taksim Square, you sense the heart of the city. İstiklal, one of Turkey's most famous and bustling streets, is a vibrant destination for both locals and foreign visitors alike. Filled with shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, bars, and galleries, the avenue attracts a wide audience, from fashion followers and art enthusiasts to night owls and history buffs. It's not just the main street that's intriguing; diving into its side streets opens up a sort of time tunnel before you.
The Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque, located directly opposite the Tophane tram stop, was commissioned by the Chief Admiral Kılıç Ali Pasha to Mimar Sinan in 1580. It is rumored that Kılıç Ali Pasha had the mosque built on reclaimed land from the sea, in response to bureaucrats who opposed granting him the land, quipping, "The seas are yours, what business do you have on land?" The work was largely inspired by the Hagia Sophia and was designed by Mimar Sinan, who was approaching the age of ninety at the time.
The original foundry was commissioned by Fatih Sultan Mehmed in the 15th century and expanded during the reign of his son, Sultan Bayezid II. The multi-domed structure you see today was completed during the reign of Sultan Selim III in 1803. Today, the building is affiliated with Mimar Sinan University and is used as an exhibition hall and for events. The two small cannon reliefs you'll see at the top of the building symbolize its history.
