Galata Tower Reopens to Visitors Following Completion of Restoration Work

Istanbul, The Gulf Observer: Istanbul’s iconic Galata Tower has reopened to visitors following extensive restoration work, as announced by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums. The restoration project, supervised by expert academics, incorporated modern technologies and was informed by technical analyses and georadar reports on reinforced concrete structures added between 1964 and 1967. The tower has been redesigned to accommodate migratory swifts and visitors while preserving its cultural heritage.

The 674-year-old tower was closed on February 23 for exterior repairs and earthquake reinforcement. The comprehensive restoration, undertaken by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, included the refurbishment of the tower’s 270-kilogram copper spire.

Starting May 25, the Galata Tower will manage access by allowing a maximum of 100 visitors per hour as part of its visitor management plan. The tower, a popular attraction for both local and international tourists, features a panoramic viewing balcony on the 8th floor, offering stunning views of the metropolis. Additionally, on the 6th floor, young visitors and their families can engage in the interactive video game “Find Istanbul,” while the 2nd floor offers a simulation that vividly reenacts Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi’s legendary flight from Galata Tower to Uskudar.