Beyazıt Tower

Beyazıt Tower rises 85 metres above the grounds of Istanbul University in the Beyazıt district. Designed by Senekerim Balyan and commissioned by Sultan Mahmud II in 1828, it served as a lookout for fires in a city where earlier wooden towers had repeatedly burned. Today, coloured lights signal the weather: blue for clear conditions, green for rain, yellow for fog and red for snow. The tower’s setting and history make it an interesting stop, but access can require advance permission, so check before making a special trip.

A tower built to spot fires

Sultan Mahmud II commissioned Beyazıt Tower in 1828, with Senekerim Balyan as its architect. Several wooden towers had stood in this location from 1749, but fires destroyed them. The present tower was rebuilt in marble and reaches 85 metres.

Its height helped turn fire detection into a citywide warning system. Watchmen looked for smoke from the tower, then signals carried the alarm outward. The tower’s working floors had names tied to their roles: nöbet for watch, işaret for signal, sepet for basket and sancak for flag. Baskets were used by day, while lanterns carried warnings at night; flags and cannon also helped spread the alarm. After the cannon sounded, the köşklü identified the district where the fire had been seen.

Weather lights and visiting access

The tower’s coloured lights continue its signalling role, now indicating weather. Blue means clear conditions, green rain, yellow fog and red snow.

Beyazıt Tower stands inside Istanbul University, and reaching it can be difficult because it is within the university grounds. Access is reported to be restricted, with special permission required in some cases, including for foreign visitors. Contact university officials or local authorities before planning a visit. If you are allowed inside, there are 180 steps; a suggested option is to walk down rather than use the lift.