One of Istanbul's iconic structures, the Galata Tower was built by the Genoese colony in the 14th century in the Galata district. During the Ottoman period, it served as a dungeon and later as a fire watchtower. The tower was damaged by earthquakes and fires and was restored several times.
Opened to visitors by the Istanbul Municipality in the 1960s, the tower was restored again in 2020 by the Directorate General of Foundations and became a museum.
The museum exhibits works reflecting Istanbul's history from prehistory to the Ottoman period. Once one of the tallest buildings in the city until the mid-20th century, the tower attracts visitors with its panoramic views. Listed on the UNESCO Temporary Heritage List, the Galata Tower was visited by 677,048 people in 2024.
Located 20 km from Nevşehir, the Kaymaklı Underground City, which dates back to 3000 BC, fascinates visitors with its deep-rooted history. Built by the Hittites, this unique structure was expanded during the Roman and Byzantine periods into an eight-story underground city.
The city, carved into tuff stone, connects rooms through narrow corridors and features wine cellars, water vaults, kitchens, food storages, ventilation shafts, water wells, and even a church. It is also known for its large stone doors that can be closed from the inside to protect against external threats.
Today, four of the eight levels are illuminated and open to visitors. In 2024, the Kaymaklı Underground City was visited by 662,398 people.
Türkiye's first museum, the Istanbul Archaeology Museums consists of the Archaeology Museum, the Museum of Ancient Oriental Works, and the Museum of the Tile Pavilion. Developed under the leadership of Osman Hamdi Bey, the museum houses nearly a million artifacts.
Works such as the world-famous Alexander Sarcophagus, brought from excavations led by Osman Hamdi Bey, are displayed in the Neo-Classical style museum building, which was constructed in 1891.
The Tile Pavilion is one of the oldest examples of Ottoman
