10 - The Galata Tower

One of the major landmarks of Istanbul is the Galata Tower.

Dominating the the hill in Beyolu, across the channel from the Golden Horn and Eminionu, the Galata tower has stood for 660 years. In 1638, an early (earliest?) aviator/inventor, Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi, strapped homemade wings to himself, and reportedly flew from the Galata tower across the Bosphorus to Uskudar (a long ways away). The Sultan Murad the 4th initially rewarded him with a purse of gold, but, fearful of the man, exiled him to Algeria where he later died.

Used for everything from storing coal to holding prisoners, the Galata tower now serves as a restaurant and tourist destination.

(view from the tower - looking towards the Golden Horn)

Walking around the tower, 66.9 metres up, you have incredible 360 degree views of the city.