Istanbul, Galata Neighborhood Walking Tour | 4K HDR

This walking tour was recorded on Friday, September 1st, 2023 starting at 18:30

00:00 Intro
03:38 Galata Tower
05:38 Galata Neighborhood
21:45 Tophane Neighborhood
33:20 Galataport
36:12 Karaköy Neighborhood

#walkingtour
#istanbul
#turkey

Galata is located at the northern side of the Golden Horn, towards Taksim Square. Until the 19th century Galata was surrounded by walls constructed by the Genoese. These walls started at Azapkapi near the Golden Horn. The Galata Tower was the northernmost observation tower and the walls go down to Tophane from this point.

Its name was "Sykai" (Fig field) during the Byzantine period. It was also called "Peran en Sykais" in Greek, which means "fig field of the other side". Its name "Pera" which was used by the Levantines came from this origin. The origin of Galata was either "galaktos" (milk) in Greek or "calata" (stairway) in Italian.

Galata is on the European side of Istanbul both geographically and culturally. It was established as a western, Latin and Catholic colony right next to Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Orthodox Byzantine Empire. Its governments changed hands between Venetians and Genoese, but it always remained Latin and Catholic. This did not change after the conquest of Istanbul. However, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror made this a residential area for Greeks and Jews. Even though this made Galata a non-Latin place, it was still a non-Muslim area next to the capital of Islam.

Therefore, "the other side" does not only mean the other side of Golden Horn, but it also means other side culturally. Sometimes the people of Galata sided with the enemies of the city. The first time Galata betrayed the locals was when the Latin Crusades occupied Constantinople in 1204. Galata helped the Latins during this occupation, and Istanbul was pillaged by Latins. That incident was one of the reasons of the decline of the Byzantine Empire.

Galata was not faithful to the Ottoman Empire either. Galata was an important center to govern the "capitulations" which caused the decline of the Ottoman Empire. The Empire had a large debt from Galata's bankers since the beginning of the 19th century and that economically pillaged the Empire. Also Greek bankers of Galata supported Greece in its independence from the Ottomans.

Galata has been a very active business center since its establishment. It was also a night-life center with its taverns which attracted the Muslim population too. But Galata lived its golden years during the second half of the 19th century. Foreigners and minorities gained some new rights with sultan Abdulmecid's political reforms of 1839 in addition to the capitulations.This quickly created wealth and enhancement for Galata.

In 1860 the area inside the Genoese walls was not large enough for Galata. So, the walls were destroyed and Galata was enlarged and Istiklal Street (of today) and "Grand Rue de Pera", called by Levantines, became a luxury district. First, there were foreign embassies and churches. Then, big houses, luxury apartments, shopping centers, and entertainment and art centers were built on Istiklal Street. Residential houses followed this. The people called this area "Beyoglu" which was an enlarged Galata called Pera by Levantines.

Tram on Istiklal streetIn a short period the infrastructure problems of the new district were solved. Streets were covered by rocks, sewage systems were enlarged, electricity, water, and natural gas networks were laid down, and trams pulled by horses were put into service for public transportation. Most important of all, the second oldest metro of the world was opened at Tunel in Galata.

Galata was a finance center with its bankers and stock exchange. Its harbor was one of the busiest harbors of Europe. The Grand Rue de Pera or Cadde-i Kebir became a shopping center second only to the Grand Bazaar. The imported European goods were bought not only by Levantines but also by western sympathizers. It was also an entertainment center with its cafes, theaters, bars, opera houses, restaurants, and pastry shops. Ottomans liked the way of living in Pera so much. So, Galata became a kind of school for Ottoman politicians who sympathized with the western way of life. Because the Ottoman people were learning how to eat, drink, dress, entertain, and talk like westerners from the Levantines and Europeans in Beyoglu.

ISTANBUL WALKING TOUR PLAYLIST ➡️

ITALY WALKING TOUR PLAYLIST➡️

MY EQUIPMENTS:
🎥Camera: iPhone 14 Pro
🎬Gimbal: DJI OM 6
🎤Microphone: DJI Mic
💻 Computer: MacBook Pro
📽️ Editing Software: Adobe Premier Pro

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Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:38 Galata Tower
05:38 Galata Neighborhood
21:45 Tophane Neighborhood
33:20 Galataport
36:12 Karaköy Neighborhood

[Tokyowalking]

It's a beautiful cityscape. It's a good video.🎉❤

[eggygenc]

These historical buildings are nice in the Beyoglu District of Istanbul but A lot of these buildings from what I noticed in this video need Restoration works done to them buildings that are falling apart must be restored buildings that are falling apart to be restored and buildings that have been demolished, the same building must be built in the same spot the Mayor of this District Needs to Start thinking quick smart coz this is a huge Turist area and tourists don’t want to see half collapsed buildings and buildings that are old and in desperate need of restoration.