The timeline I prepared regarding the transformation of Galata Tower from the early 6th century to the present is below.
The Galata Tower, located in one of the most strategic points of Istanbul, is a subject of debate regarding when it was first constructed. Nevertheless, it is a fact that the Tower has played an active role in Istanbul’s silhouette for centuries and has been an indispensable motif in the city’s appearance. Indeed, the changing powers, civilizations, tastes, and thus functions throughout history have given it new forms and appearances.
1. DEVRE – From the First Construction to the Genoese Builders (AD 507 – 1348)
In the literature of history; although not with today’s meaning and dimensions; it is claimed that during the Eastern Roman Empire, in the 500s AD, as a continuation of the walls built on the western borders against the danger of the Huns and Bulgarians, an observation and lighthouse tower was constructed in the area where the current tower is located.
2. DEVRE – From the construction by the Cenovalı to the conquest and repair by II. Bayezid (1348 – 1510)
When the Genoese captured Pera (Galata) in the 1300s due to political intrigues, they found a large part of the aforementioned walls and the prototype of the Galata Tower destroyed by the Byzantines. The Genoese, a seafaring and industrious society, gradually repaired and constructed all the walls, towers, and in between, laid the first foundations of the present tower in 1348. With a cross at the top of the cone, the tower also took the name “Christea Turris” and increasingly became a symbol of this small Latin community in the east. The first graphic documents related to the tower can be found in the work “Liber insularium Archipelagi” published by C. Boundelrnonti in the 1420s. However, in the copies of the book published in various countries, the tower is depicted differently. After the conquest of Istanbul, the tower, which passed to the Turks, is known to have had 7 to 8 meters of its upper portion demolished by Fatih as a display of sovereignty. Finally, in 1509, during a major earthquake known as the small apocalypse in Istanbul that lasted about 45 days, the tower suffered significant damage, and it is understood that it was rebuilt starting from a height of 13.20 m (2 stories) by Murad bin Hayrettin, the architect of II. Beyazıt, based on the brick decorations on the walls and the window systems.
3. DEVRE – From the Repair of Beyazıt to the Restoration of Selim III (1510 – 1794)
The documents regarding the appearance of the Tower during this period first appeared in the works of Turkish writers. The first instance is in the 1533-35 writings of Matrakçı Nasuh about the Iraq Campaign, and the second is depicted in the Istanbul views belonging to Piri Reis. Notably, from the engravings of Nasuh Ef., it is striking that a floor at a 1/2 ratio is found above Cihannüma, similar to the repairs done in 1832. Additionally, it is worth mentioning the engravings related to the tower by J. Maurand from the year 1544. After this, during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (1520 – 1566), the tower was used as a dungeon, and during the time of Selim II (1567 – 1575), it underwent repairs due to fires. It was used as an observatory for a while during the reign of Murad III (1576 – 1595), and during the era of Murad IV, it witnessed the flight of Hezar Fen Ahmet Çelebi to Üsküdar. In 1717, to report increasingly frequent fires, a communication organization was established in the tower to sound the “Kös.” Furthermore, a paragraph about the tower in the travelogue of Evliya Çelebi from this period serves as the first Turkish observation document. Finally, as noted in the Inciciyan history, in 1794, a major fire broke out, completely burning the wooden dome and upper floors of the Tower.
4. DEVRE – From the Repair of III. Selim to the Repair of II. Mahmut (1794 – 1832)
III. As a result of the renovation commissioned by Selim in 1794, the appearance of the upper part of the Tower is depicted in the engraving by the era’s palace architect A. I. Melling and is also confirmed in the history of Cevdet Pasha. Accordingly, around the cihannüma floor, a console with a height of 1.50 m was created using stone dentals, which still show traces at the current elevation of 32.60 m, and four balconies were placed at perpendicular axes. Inside, three rooms and a hall were constructed. Additionally, poems by the poets Ayni and Vahidi from Ayıntap document this renovation. This concrete information allows for a restitution of this period to be made. This appearance could be maintained for 38 years until the fire in 1831.
5. DEVRE – From the repair of II. Mahmut in 1832 to the repair of 1875 (1832 – 1875)
II. Mahmud, after the fire of 1831, had the upper part of the Tower above 32.60 meters completely demolished and constructed a large cihannüma with 14 massive stone arches in the Empire architectural style of the era of II. Mahmud, along with an additional floor and a wooden conical roof built on top, at a height of 40.04 meters. A tablet related to this restoration can be found above the tower’s entrance today. In the literature, there is abundant documentation related to this period. Some of these include John F. Levis’ engraving, which depicts the Galata shores with the Tower in the background. Similarly, engravings by William H. Bartlett in E. Flandin and Miss J. Pardoe’s book, The Beauties of Bosphorus, are documents reflecting this era. An engraving signed by M. Chevalier, depicting the interior view of the Cihannüma floor of the Tower, can also be added to these documents. The most recent and most valuable document from the era of Mahmud II is undoubtedly the photograph taken by palace photographer Robertson. The Tower maintained this appearance for 44 years until the storm of 1875.
6. DEVRE – From the 1875 restoration to the project of authors H. İşcan’s restoration (1875 – 1964/67)
Mahmut II’s wooden cone structure was destroyed in a severe storm in 1875. In its place, two observation levels with an octagonal plan, which were completely incongruent with the tower, were built, topped by a terrace at an elevation of 51.65 meters. This appearance continued for nearly a century, until 1964. Until that date, the tower, which was used as a communication post for the Navy, was considered very dangerous due to the decay of the wooden construction, as well as the noticing of cracks in the body walls and opening arches on the levels above 32.35 meters, leading to its closure for all services. The structural reinforcement and repair of the tower, persistently encouraged by the then mayor, the late Hasim İşcan, began in 1963 with the projects planned by the authors and was completed between 1964 and 1967, thus reopening the tower for service.
Source: Mimarlık Dergisi 1979/158 – Ersin Arıoğlu, Köksal Anadol
