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When you visit Istanbul, you will find tens of traces from the glamorous Ottoman Empire. Having ruled the city for over 600 years, Ottoman architecture and arts had a great impact on Istanbul's city soul. During your Istanbul trip, you will find Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, Topkapi Palace and other iconic landmarks in Istanbul that were built during the Ottoman era. Now, let’s learn more about the history of Ottoman-era with a quick summary!

For over 600 years, the Ottoman Empire ruled over a substantial portion of the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It was established in 1299 and disbanded in 1923, when it was replaced by the Turkey Republic. The Ottoman Empire's Ascendancy In 1299, Osman I, a chief of Turkish tribes in Anatolia, founded the Ottoman Empire. Osman I extended his empire, bringing many of Anatolia's autonomous states under his control. Over the people he conquered, Osman formed a formal government and permitted religious freedom.

Istanbul in Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire began to spread for the next 150 years. The Byzantine Dynasty was the most powerful empire in the land at the time (Eastern Roman Empire). Mehmet II the Conqueror led the Ottoman Empire to conquer Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire's capital, in 1453. He renamed Constantinople Istanbul and made it the capital of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire will become one of the world's biggest and most powerful empires for the next few centuries.

As the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople a vast number of scholars and artists fled to Italy. This aided in the rise of the European Renaissance. It also prompted European nations to seek out new trading routes to the East, beginning the Age of Exploration.

Suleiman The Magnificent

During the reign ofSuleiman the Glorious, the Ottoman Empire achieved its height. From 1520 to 1566, he ruled. During this period, the empire rose to include a large portion of Eastern Europe, including Greece and Hungary.

Suleiman the Magnificent was regarded as all Muslims' earthly king. The Ottomans named him "The Lawgiver." 

 

In the late 1600s, the Ottoman Empire started to fall apart. It started expanding and started to struggle economically with India and Europe. Internal bureaucracy and weak administration contributed to the empire's gradual collapse until 1923, when it was dissolved and Turkey declared a republic.

In the Ottoman Empire, religion was very significant. While the Ottomans were Muslims, they did not compel their captured peoples to convert. They made it possible for Christians and Jews to pray without fear of being persecuted. This stopped the defeated people from revolting and permitted them to reign for too long. Among Ottoman’s most iconic religious buildings, we can findHagia Sophia Mosque and Chora Church. When you travel to Istanbul you will find many more churches and mosques, reflecting the city’s cosmopolitan texture.

Ottoman Sultans

The Sultanwas the name given to the ruler of the Ottoman Empire. The eldest son inherited the title of Sultan. When a new Sultan came to power, he would imprison both of his brothers. He will have his brothers executed until he had a son of his own to inherit the throne.

The Sultan and his many wives resided in Istanbul's Topkapi Palace. Fun fact since he was afraid of being killed, the Sultan would move to a new place in the palace at night!

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Galata Tower is one of the most magnificent sights in Istanbul, overlooking "Beyoglu" and "Karakoy" from its incredible location. Its colorful lights can be seen at night from all over the city, so it is one of the most famous tourist destinations among visitors in the city. Galata Tower is visible to anyone who visits Istanbul and walks along with one of the city's most popular and oldest avenues, such as Taksim or Eminönü. This tower is one of the city's most well-known tourist attractions, whether because of its tradition, geometric shape, or special geographic location. Hence, it is not surprising that it is on the visit list for all tourists in Istanbul, here is a look at the history of Galata Tower!

History of Galata Tower

Although the exact date of construction of the Galata Tower is unknown, historical records suggest that it was constructed during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in about 507 AD. The Genoese called the tower "Christian Torres," or the Tower of Christ, while the Byzantines called it "Migalus Pyrgos," or the Great Tower, at the time. The Galata district, colonies of the Republic of Genoa, served as a chain of economic and commercial centers in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea during the Genoa era, when the tower took on its current form.

The tower was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1509, but it was rebuilt by the renowned Ottoman architect "Hayreddin," who also designed the Sultan Bayezid II complex in Edirne during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. 

The tower was used to detain inmates who were forced to serve in the shipyard at the time, and by the end of the sixteenth century, an observatory had been attached to the roof, but the tower was doomed to become a jail again during Sultan Murad III's reign between 1546 and 1595.

 

The tower was used for a brief time by the Mehter division, an Ottoman military division before the seventeenth century began, and then became a fire observatory in 1717 due to its location as a high point in Istanbul at the time. The tower was devastated by fire in 1794, but it was rebuilt under Sultan Selim III's rule. 

The 219-foot (66.90-meter) tower is now a popular tourist destination in Istanbul, with crowds lining up to climb to the top for a breathtaking view of Istanbul's skyline from the balcony. The elevator carries guests up to seven levels, but the final two floors are only accessible by stairs. Visit Istanbul and learn more about Galata Tower today!

Where is Galata Tower?

The Galata Tower, as its name suggests, is situated in the Galata district of Istanbul just above Karaköy and it has become one of the city's most significant symbols. From the top of the tower, visitors can see the Istanbul Bridge, which separates Istanbul's Asian and European sections, as well as the Golden Horn Bridge and historic peninsula.

Galata Tower Opening Hours

It is possible to visit Galata Tower every day from the morning until the evening hours, just keep in mind that there is still a long line of tourists waiting to enjoy the view from the top of the tower. The best time to visit Galata Tower, whether you want to avoid long lines, is early in the morning or later in the evening.

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