In Istanbul, the Galata Tower rises like a stone sentinel across the Golden Horn, watching over a district that has always been the city’s “other side.”
For centuries, the area known historically as Pera (today part of Beyoğlu) played a complementary yet crucial role to the old imperial city of Constantinople – much like the moon stabilizing the Earth.
If Constantinople was the pious heart of empires, Pera (Galata) was its worldly soul: the hub of trade, diplomacy, and nightlife. Medieval writers noted that
“if Constantinople prayed, legislated, and marched in procession, Pera smoked, drank, negotiated, and daydreamed in French”
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When a Tower Has More Drama Than Your Favorite Soap Opera
Let’s be real: when you picture Istanbul, you probably imagine the majestic Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque standing proudly on the historic peninsula. But turn your gaze across the Golden Horn and you’ll spot a feisty, cylindrical stone structure giving you major side-eye. That’s the Galata Tower—Istanbul’s legendary lookout and the ultimate symbol of Beyoğlu (formerly Pera), the city’s rebellious, cosmopolitan alter-ego.
If historic Istanbul was the studious, rule-following older sibling, Pera was the cool, rebellious one who stayed out late, traded with foreigners, and probably invented Istanbul’s first happy hour. As one medieval writer cheekily noted:
“If Constantinople prayed, legislated, and marched in procession, Pera smoked, drank, negotiated, and daydreamed in French.”
So, grab a Turkish coffee (or a rakı, if you’re feeling Pera-spired), and let’s unravel the wildly entertaining story of Galata Tower and the neighborhood that refused to be boring.
Before Beyoğlu & Galata Tower—A Fig-Filled Humble Beginning
Long before it was the home of chic cafes and hipster galleries, this area was basically Istanbul’s backyard orchard. Known as Sykai (Greek for “fig orchard”), it was literally the ancient city’s go-to spot for fresh figs.
By the 6th century, Emperor Justinian I decided to fancy it up, rebuilt it, and renamed it Justinianopolis (try saying that three times fast). But locals kept calling it “Peran en Sykais”—meaning “the fig orchards on the other side.” And so, Pera was born: the original “other side of the tracks,” but with better snacks.
Discover the Genoese—The Merchants Who Built an Icon
Fast forward to the 13th century. The Genoese—think of them as the medieval influencers of trade—waltzed into town, made a deal with the Byzantine emperor, and set up shop in Pera. They built walls, threw parties, and in 1348, decided they needed a serious flex. So, they built a giant stone tower and called it Christea Turris (Tower of Christ). We know it today as the Galata Tower.
At 67 meters tall, it was the medieval equivalent of a skyscraper. Rumor has it the Genoese adorned it with their coat of arms, basically saying, “We’re here, we’re Genoese, get used to it.” The Byzantines side-eyed them nervously, but hey, business was booming.
1453—The Tower Watches as Empires Crumble
When the Ottomans rolled up to conquer Constantinople in 1453, the folks in Galata faced a classic dilemma: pick a side or play it safe? They chose the latter. According to legend, the Genoese of Galata made a secret deal with Sultan Mehmed II: “We’ll stay neutral, you don’t sack our neighborhood, deal?” The Sultan agreed, and after the city fell, Galata surrendered peacefully.
On May 29, 1453, Constantinople fell. The Byzantine Empire was no more. True to his word, Mehmed II did not sack Galata. The colony surrendered peacefully, and the Sultan allowed the Genoese inhabitants to remain in Istanbul if they wished. Many Genoese (and Venetians) who had fled returned later from their Aegean island colonies to resume their lives under Ottoman rule. However, Pera would never again be a semi-independent Latin republic.
Mehmed abolished the Genoese Podestà and tore down sections of the walls to signify Ottoman sovereignty. (Some sources say he ordered the top of Galata’s walls symbolically demolished – perhaps a gesture that the age of a fortified, autonomous Pera was over.) Galata Tower itself was spared, but with the upper portion damaged by an earthquake in 1509 and later repaired, it now became a watchtower for the new Ottoman masters rather than a Genoese trophy.
Symbiosis: Function over Fiction
But here’s the twist: while the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, Pera never fully surrendered its soul. As the saying goes, “The Ottomans conquered the whole Eastern Mediterranean world—but not Pera.” It remained Istanbul’s sassy, cosmopolitan enclave where cultures clashed and collaborated in the most fabulous ways.
Indeed, the symbiosis was mutually beneficial. The Ottomans gained access to European credit, goods, and technical knowledge through the merchants of Galata, while those merchants gained a vast new market under the Sultan’s protection.
For example, just months after 1453, the Republic of Venice (long an enemy of the Turks) swiftly negotiated a new trade agreement with Mehmed II and even established a permanent ambassador (bailo) in Pera by the 1470s. Business triumphed over religious or political divides.
As one historian noted, the Ottomans might war with European states, but once peace was reached they eagerly restored the trade pacts – in 1479, 1503, 1540 and so on – that kept the money flowing. Pera was the stage on which these early Ottoman-European interactions played out.
Beyoğlu’s Glow-Up—From Pera to “Little Europe”
Under the Ottomans, Pera transformed into Beyoğlu—a buzzing, multicultural hub where diplomats, merchants, and artists mingled. European embassies lined the streets, giving the area the nickname “Little Europe.” It was here that Istanbul’s first tram, first underground funicular (the Tünel), and even first gaslit streets appeared. Pera wasn’t just keeping up with the times; it was setting the trend.
The Levantine communities – families of European origin who had lived in Istanbul for generations – thrived during this period. They ran businesses from banking to import-export, opened theaters and cafés, and invested in modern infrastructure. Thanks to their presence, Beyoğlu was often the first part of Istanbul to modernize.
Late 19th century
During the Tanzimat era of reforms in the mid-19th century, many of the city’s “firsts” happened here in Pera. Gas street lighting was introduced; then electricity; Istanbul’s first tram line ran down Istiklal; and in 1875, the Tünel (an underground funicular and one of the world’s oldest subways) was built to connect the harbor of Karaköy up the steep hill to Galata’s center. The district even formed its own municipal government (the Sixth Daire, or Sixth Municipality, established in 1858) modeled on European cities to manage urban services. All these innovations set Beyoğlu apart as the most “Western” enclave in an otherwise very traditional city. As historian Reyhan Zetter remarked, Pera/Beyoğlu became “the most Westernized part of Constantinople, especially when compared to the Old City across the Golden Horn”
Culturally, too, Beyoğlu led the way. The theater and opera scene flourished here – the famous Naum Theatre on Istiklal (Pera’s grand avenue) brought European opera to Istanbul’s elites until it burned down in 1870. Cinemas, ballrooms, and cafes followed, giving Pera a nightlife and entertainment reputation that lives on today. This was the district of elegant patisseries (like Lebon and Markiz), art galleries, and publishing houses. Many Ottoman intellectuals and writers frequented Pera’s establishments, finding a freer environment to discuss new ideas. It’s no coincidence that the first Turkish-language newspapers and novels emerged in this cosmopolitan milieu.
And what about our star, Galata Tower? It got a makeover! The Ottomans used it as a fire lookout, a watchtower, and—according to legend—even as a launchpad for Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi, an early aviator who allegedly strapped on wings and flew from the tower across the Bosphorus. Talk about a room with a view!
Ottomans Crumble & Money Rules
Perhaps the greatest testament to Pera’s pull on the Ottoman psyche was when the Ottoman dynasty itself moved out of the Old City in its final years. In 1856, Sultan Abdülmecid I abandoned the antiquated Topkapı Palace for a newly built European-style palace on the Bosphorus shore in Beşiktaş: Dolmabahçe Palace.
This magnificent Baroque palace – with its crystal chandeliers and ballroom – sat just a short distance up the shore from Galata. By relocating there, the Sultan quite literally planted the seat of power closer to Pera, as if acknowledging the shifting center of gravity.
His successors continued this trend; Sultan Abdülhamid II preferred Yıldız Palace, also in the Beşiktaş hills, as his residence in the late 19th century.
The Ottoman court was embracing the European-opulence-meets-Ottoman-modernity vibe of the Bosphorus, and Pera was right next door. One could say that by the twilight of the empire, even the Sultans had become neighbors to the Levantine bankers and European ambassadors of Beyoğlu.
The Tower Today—Still the Life of the Party
Through all these changes, Galata Tower remained a steady fixture on the skyline – but its role evolved.
Today, Galata Tower is still the neighborhood’s most iconic landmark. Climb to the top for a 360-degree panorama that’ll have your Instagram followers green with envy. On one side, you’ll see the historic peninsula with its ancient mosques and palaces. On the other, the buzzing streets of Beyoğlu, where the party never really stopped.
The area around the tower is now a maze of art galleries, quirky boutiques, and atmospheric cafes. It’s the perfect place to sip Turkish tea, people-watch, and imagine the ghosts of Genoese merchants and Ottoman poets nodding in approval.
Conclusion: Why Galata Tower & Beyoğlu Are Still Relevant
The Galata Tower isn’t just a stone structure—it’s a time machine, a storyteller, and the ultimate symbol of Istanbul’s “other side.” From figs to Genoese traders, from Ottoman fire-watchers to modern-day artists, this tower has seen it all. And Beyoğlu? It’s still the neighborhood that dances to its own beat, proving that sometimes the “other side” is where the real magic happens.
So, next time you’re in Istanbul, don’t just stick to the historic peninsula. Cross the Galata Bridge, wander the hilly streets, and meet the tower that’s been watching over Istanbul’s most colorful neighborhood for nearly 700 years. Who knows? You might just leave feeling a little more rebellious yourself.
Ready to Explore the Other Side?
Dive deeper into Istanbul’s hidden stories with The Other Tour—because history is so much funnier when you know the full story. 😉
Definitely on my bucket list! Finally visiting this year.
Thanks a lot for the comment. You’ll love the Galata Tower! Let us know if you need any assistance with your travel plans in Istanbul or rest of Türkiye! 🙂
Can you help me with an airport pickup on May 14th and an asian side trip the next day? I’ll only have 2 days in the city before I fly to Kayseri.
Thanks a lot for the comment. Just sent you a private email. We hope you’d like it.