galata tower turk the tallest and oldest istanbul turkey

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Galata Tower Turk, the tallest and oldest tower in Istanbul, Turkey Royalty Free Stock Photo

Galata Tower Turk, the tallest and oldest tower in Istanbul, Turkey

The Galata Tower, Galata Kulesi in Turkish, is one of the highest and oldest towers of Istanbul. 63 meter 206 feet high tower provides a panoramic view of the old town. It was built in the 14th century by the Genoese colony as part of the defense wall surrounding their district at Galata directly opposite ancient Constantinopolis. They called the tower as `Christea Turris`, or `Tower of Christ`. The Genoese were involved in trade with the Byzantines and the tower was used for the surveillance of the Harbor in the Golden Horn. After the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet II, it served to detect fires in the city.