The Beyazıt Tower (Beyazıt Kulesi, also called the Beyazıt Fire Tower) is a stone watchtower about 85 m tall, standing in the courtyard of Istanbul University's main campus, just behind the monumental gate on Beyazıt Square. Built in 1828 under Sultan Mahmud II to a design by Senekerim Balyan, it replaced wooden towers destroyed by fire: watchmen scanned the city from it and signalled outbreaks of fire. You can see it from far away, for free; the inside is not open like an ordinary attraction, so it is mainly a monument to look at and photograph. Allow 20 to 30 minutes, including the square and the university gate.
Highlights
The tower up close
The slender white stone shaft rises from a massive base shaped like a truncated pyramid and ends in a glazed gallery topped by a metal spire. Its Western-inspired style (Ottoman baroque) contrasts with the neighbouring minarets.
The university's monumental gate
On Beyazıt Square, the grand neo-Ottoman gate of Istanbul University opens onto the courtyard where the tower stands. It is the best frame for understanding where you are: the tower appears behind the entrance, among the trees.
The tower's role
At the top, watchmen scanned the horizon. To warn the districts, they raised baskets by day and lit coloured lanterns at night, depending on the area affected. The tower still serves as a weather landmark today: coloured lights indicate the weather (fine, rain, snow, fog), according to the sources consulted.
Viewpoints on the tower
You can spot it from Beyazıt Square, from the courtyard of the Beyazıt II Mosque, from the Süleymaniye Mosque and even from a Golden Horn ferry: it is part of the old city's skyline.
Practical info
Tips
- There is no ticket office: the tower is not a paid visit. According to the sources consulted in October 2026, climbing it requires prior permission from the university and it is not open to the public; the number of steps varies by source (from 180 to 256). As the campus is a place of study, access to the courtyard may be controlled or closed on some days (ceremonies, exams, demonstrations): ask at the gate, show ID if asked and follow the instructions. The area around the square is very busy: watch your belongings.
How to get there
Beyazıt Square, main campus of Istanbul University (İstanbul Üniversitesi Merkez Kampüsü), Fatih, Istanbul. T1 tram (Kabataş-Bağcılar), Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı stop, 2 minutes on foot. M2 metro (Yenikapı-Hacıosman), Vezneciler station, about 7 minutes on foot. Line details: Getting around Istanbul.
Opening hours
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