History of Galata

 Famous Istanbul historian Jak Deleon writes about Galata in his book named 'The Bosphorus: A Historical Guide ' :

''Galata is the area where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus. Throughout history, Galata bridges have always connected the two shores of the Golden Horn. The word 'gala' means 'milk' in Greek. Although it has been claimed that Galata's name derives from the existence of dairies in the district, there is no historical evidence to support this. Another possibility is that the name Galata comes from the Italian word 'calata' meaning 'the road leading down to the sea'.

Old IstanbulThe Latin Catholic churches that once existed in Galata are known to have been Saint Francesco, Saint Benedetto, Saint Antonio, Saint Giovanni, Saint Paolo and Saint Domenico, Saint Giorgio, Saint Bastiani, Saint Petro, Saint Anna and Saint Maria. Most of these churches were reduced to ashes in the fires of Galata. Some were completely demolished. On Percemli Street is the now abandoned Zulfaris synagogue built by the famous Jewish banker Kamondo. During the Ottoman era several 'mescit' (small mosque) were built: Manastir Mescidi, Alaca Mescit, Okcu Musa Mescidi, Lulecizade Mescidi, Bereketzade Mescidi, Sehsuvar Mescidi and Bektas Efendi Mescidi. Arap Mosque, which was originally a catholic cathedral dedicated to St.Dominic, was presumably converted into a mosque after the conquest.

One of the first landmarks to come into view is the Galata Tower built by the Genoese in 1348. The tower is 61 metres high and has 12 floors including the basement. It was known as Megalos Pyrgos (the Great Tower) by the Byzantines. It was known as Christea Turris (Tower of Christ) by the Genoese. For a period of time during the Ottoman era the public referred it as the Hezarfen Tower. Because it was from here that Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi took off and glided to the slopes of Uskudar by means of artificial wings.

The tower was used in a variety of capacities, as a shipyard warehouse in the 15th, as a prison in 16th and a fire watch-tower in the 18th centuries.''