Beyazıt Tower
An 85-metre Ottoman fire-watch tower standing in the courtyard of Istanbul University's main campus on Beyazıt Square. You can't go up, but it's a striking piece of old city infrastructure.
Beyazıt Tower, also called the Seraskier Tower after the Ottoman War Ministry, rises 85 metres from the heart of the university campus. Built as a fire lookout, it once gave watchmen a clear view over the wooden-roofed neighbourhoods below.
Today the tower is closed to visitors—it sits inside a guarded university courtyard. Still, its stone silhouette is hard to miss from Beyazıt Square, especially when lit up at night. It's a quick, no-fuss landmark that fits naturally into a walk around the Grand Bazaar or Süleymaniye.
“To see the soaring stone tower that once watched over the old city's rooftops for smoke.”
You won't get into the campus without a student ID, but the tower looks best from the square just outside the university's main gate—no need to queue for anything.
Viewable from the flat, paved Beyazıt Square; no step-free issues.
Good to know
- Is Beyazıt Tower free to visit?
- Free. Ottoman fire-watch tower in the university courtyard — exterior views free
- How long should you spend at Beyazıt Tower?
- ~30 min
- Is Beyazıt Tower wheelchair accessible?
- Viewable from the flat, paved Beyazıt Square; no step-free issues.
