Galata and the Galata Bridge Galata is located at the north side
of the Golden Horn, towards Taksim Square. Galata was surrounded
by walls, constructed by the Genoese, until the 19th century.
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. 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