Galata originates from "Galat," a word used by the Byzantines to indicate the Goths, or from "Galatini" meaning "milk." Besides the names Beyoglu and Pera, this area is also known as Galata. The reason behind this is that the slightly sloped section stretching from Tunel to the shores of Halic is called Galata due to the Galata Tower. During the reign of Byzantines, Genoese conquered the region, which stood at opposite shores of old Istanbul, and they decided to build a tower. Their aim was to surround the region with walls and they wanted to build a watchtower in the middle of the wall for defense purposes. At the time, they named the Tower "Jesus Tower." The tower originally had a spire and a large cross on its top.

The Galata Tower did not only serve for defense purposes and as a watchtower, but it was also a part of the communication system, which had been built by Romans and then inherited by the Byzantines. People used to communicate by building fires at high and easily seen places. Therefore, the most important communication centers of Istanbul were the mountain of Bulgurlu, Fenerbahce, Galata Tower and Sarayburnu. Galata Tower has been damaged by fire several times and due to these fires it has lost the original appearance. Several centuries after its construction, the tower was mentioned by Katip Celebi in his book "Cihannuma." The integration of the tower into Ottoman history and culture fully occurred by a well-known event told in many history books. Galata Tower, which captures our attention by its non-Islamic architecture became famous in the Islamic world when Hazerfen Ahmet Celebi flew from, the Tower to Uskudar with the help of artificial wings. In 1794, however, the spire of the fire-damaged tower, was opened and the building was restored in an architecturally rather different style.

Galata Tower strikes one as one of the typical locations of Istanbul. For centuries Galata, as a residence, has sheltered people from different origins and races, and its uniqueness can be best symbolized by the unique structure of Galata Tower. Galata continues to be unique by the democratic and warm environment it provides for its residents, as evident in the temples belonging to different religions. Galata Tower is a structure which affirms this mixed but coherent body.

Galata Tower, which was built by the Genoese during the time of the Byzantines for defense purposes, after a time became integrated to the communication system of Byzantines. After the conquer of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, he made sure that no harm came to the Galata Tower as well as churches, synagogues and other religious buildings. The Ottomans, who were the new owners of the city, did not regard the Galata Tower as odd, and after a fire, they restored the tower, incorporating their own architectural style. Due to its altitude, it is possible to view almost half of old Istanbul from the Galata Tower, and it also provides us with the chance to see the Asian side of Istanbul.