Galata Kulesi (Great Tower )

thingiverse

The Galata Kulesi is one of the oldest towers in the world, built by Byzantine Emperor Anastasius in 528 as Fener Kulesi. In 1204, it was severely damaged during the IV Haçlı Seferi and later rebuilt in 1348 by Cenevizliler as "İsa Kulesi" using rubble stones to add to the Galata walls. At that time, it became the largest building in the city. The tower was further elevated between 1445-1446 and has been restored almost every century since the Turks took control of it. In the 16th century, Christian prisoners captured during battles at the Kasımpaşa shipyards were housed here. With Sultan III Murat's permission, a renowned astronomer named Takiyüddin established an observatory here, but it was closed in 1579. In the early 17th century, IV Murat's Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi flew from Okmeydanı using wings made of wood and soared over the Bosphorus to Üsküdar-Doğancılar. This feat gained widespread attention across Europe, with artists creating engravings depicting it in England. From 1717 onward, the tower was used as a firewatch tower. During a blaze that ravaged the city under III Selim's rule, the tower suffered significant damage. After repairs were completed, another fire destroyed part of the structure in 1831, necessitating further restoration work. The conical roof on top of the building collapsed during a fierce storm in 1875. A thorough restoration project undertaken between 1965 and 1967 brought the tower back to its current state.