GALATA WALK - Around the Tower
Meeting Point : Meet the guide in Istiklal Street at the Tünel
Tram Station
Day : Friday mornings at 9 am.
Program : In the Byzantine period, the hillside - where Galata is
today - was covered with orchards and was named Sykai (The Fig Orchard),
or Peran en Sykais (The Fig Field on the Other Side), referring to
the "other side" of the Golden Horn. It was in Byzantine
period that the area began to be called Galata and a fortress was
built by Emperor Theodosius II. Galata, used to be a Genoese colony
from 6th to 15th centuries. This walk is around the famous Galata
Tower and covers the area where we see many churches, synagogues,
hospitals, bank buildings, ancient walls, schools. Stories, myths,
legends are bonus from your guide.
GALATA WALK 2 - By the shores of Golden Horen and Bosphorus
Meeting Point : Meet the guide in Karaköy by the entrance
of Tünel
Day : Friday afternoons at 2 pm.
Program : Historical records show that a settlement existed on
the northern shore of the Golden Horn since the time of Christ.
The area was inhabited in the time of Emperor Justinian in the
mid 6th century. Big chains were put at the entrance of Golden
Horn to avoid sudden attacks from outside. We see the building
where this chains were tightened. What else we see? You can not
even imagine how rich with history the area is. If we say: Churches
on top of apartment buildings, will it sound unreal?! Or Underground
Mosques!! If we say “We will show you Gothic Church” that
would be real thing; but what if your guide shows you a Gothic
Mosque! These and more than this will be part of the outstanding
adventure by the shores of Galata.
