Galata: A Witness of History

“A hill. ‘Sees the land of blinds’ called in the history of clairvoyants.
And multiplex, and masonry.
And chessed street ( verticals, horizontals, lines: Are for transforming to a pyramid sneakingly?).
And city walls, city walls, city walls.”

İlhan Berk; postmodern poet uses these words to explain Galata. It’s such a district that opens the doors of levant for the occidentals in every span of time. Nowadays it’s like a nestor for visitors, perhaps the source of its wisdom is Galata Tower, the eyes of Galata; by seeing many things for many years.

Galata has been the home of levantine throughout history by its Italian merchants, French revolutionists, English politicians. And also this era’s routine building trash that couldn’t catch the era has filled Galata. So be it, they also pass through, the eyes also testify them.

Taking form of Galata dates back to 600’s BC, founding the city of Byzantion. In 196 BC, when Romans conquered city, it was going to be called Byzantium anymore by the policy of Latinizing. By that time Genoeses was settled in Galata, so long as not constructing any deffence or military buildings; only houses and commerce buildings. And they started to build traditional casa torres adjesently, which means tower houses. When Romans took the situation in, city walls had already been finished, moats had already been dug; maybe to protect their families, or to resume their generation. And consequently, while we’re walking through the streets of Galata, some streetname board draws the attention that was written ‘Büyük Hendek Sokak’, that means Grand Moat Street and many lives flash before our eyes. The names still exist arouse the feelings of amazement, with the power of history, with our irresistible instinct of imagine.

While we’re moving forward, seems like the history also gets along, the christianity rises and churches are built. Pagans are beaten here, too. A new culture efformed this district, like whole Europe. For hundreds of years Galata became synthesis of cultures especially with denizen Genoeses. By re-built of Galata Tower in 14th century, view of the district changed a good bit. By 1453, conquest of Istanbul by Ottoman Padishah Fatih Sultan Mehmed, christian and islamic art progressed together.

In 1700’s, with the development of French-Ottoman relations, architectural appearance of Galata was affected by French art. Many French families settled here. In 1762, French revolutionist poet André Chénier who was executed in his 32, what’s more with guillotine was born here, on upper story of an apartment in Galata. If you look above while you’re walking through Galata’s narrow streets, you can notice a plate that’s written “André Chénier was born here” on. When this building is seen, is it possible not to remember these words of Chénier: “What a pity there has been lots of things in this head”; and is it possible not to share his grief and thoughts. In 1800’s and early 1900’s English and French domination is overridden in Istanbul and sure in Galata. The buildings of that era still stand with all their magnificence. They’re like the visual narration of history and politics. In actually, after that buildings not much more ‘architecture’ has been built there, but its sure that some more will be built by the future.

As a matter of fact that Galata is the most tired, most riped and the most sophisticated district of İstanbul. It’s the only one which tells each era that the city has experienced. It’s said that the poets and writers keep a city alive; i think Galata brings them into being.