Category:Walls of Galata, Medieval defensive walls in Karaköy, Turkey.
The Walls of Galata are a medieval defensive structure running from the Galata Tower along the northern shore of the Golden Horn. Built with limestone and brick, they demonstrate construction methods typical of the Genoese period.
The Genoese built these defensive structures between 1304 and 1352 to strengthen their control over the quarter. Though the Byzantines initially tried to restrict their expansion, the Genoese eventually established their dominance.
The walls marked the division between the Genoese quarter and the neighborhoods where Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities lived side by side. This physical boundary shaped how different groups interacted and organized their daily lives in medieval Galata.
Several preserved sections of the original fortifications are visible along Bankalar Caddesi where you can examine the medieval construction methods. The best approach is to walk along this street and the nearby lanes to explore how these walls fit into the local layout.
The walls contained multiple gates that controlled access to the Genoese colony and protected vital trade routes. Some foundations of these gates remain hidden beneath modern Istanbul buildings, a reminder of their former role as crucial checkpoints.
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