LEANDER'S TOWER
Considered to be symbolic of Istanbul, this tiny tower was
established on a small island at the entrance of the
Bosphorus. In the past, it was used as a watchtower and a
lighthouse, until its present purpose of a tourist
attraction. Western sources describe this as Leander’s
Tower, who was drowned while swimming, to reach his lover
Hera. Another story suggests that it was a tower where an
emperor’s daughter put her there for security, having
dreamt that she would be bitten by a snake.
GALATA TOWER
The
tower was built by the Genoese in 1348, during their
occupation of the area, primarily to prevent attacks.
Originally known as the Tower of Christ, it stood above
the fortification surrounding the Genoese city-state.
There is a spiral rock staircase which ascends to the top
viewing platform, which today offers visitors spectacular
360 degree panorama of the entire city. The tower was
restored in 1967, and an elevator was installed to offer a
less tiring alternative to the steep climb. There is also
a restaurant on the top floor.
BEYAZIT
TOWER
Within
the grounds of the central building of Istanbul’s
University (formerly the palace of Mehmet the Conqueror)
this wooden tower was built for fire watchers, and remains
a landmark throughout the city. Mahmud II demolished it in
order to construct a better one, and according to the
inscription, he ordered a rock-filled tower in 1828 to be
built by the Ministry of Defense. The monument is 50m high,
and from the upper landing, accessible via wooden
staircase, offers a superb overview of the city.
