Galata Tower and the Whirling Dervishes

Originally built by Emperor Justinian, this tower was destroyed during the Fourth Crusade. What stands today was built in 1348, although it has had much damage caused by fires and storms throughout the years. The tower has been used as a lookout and a dungeon, and was even the jumping off point of a man who strapped on wings and supposedly ‘flew’ to Asia!

The Whirling Dervishes are members of the Sufi form of Islam. Whirling is a form of physical meditation in which the dervish is aiming to reach the source of all perfection.