The square constructed in 393 AD during the reign of
Byzantine Emperor Theodosius was the biggest square in the city at that time. The square was originally named as “
Forum Tauri” due to the bronze bull heads on the victory vault standing at the square. No remains from any structure built on the square except some pieces of the victory vault is left behind. At the north of the square where a palace was erected by
Fatih Sultan Mehmet now stands the
Istanbul University. At the square there also stand the
Beyazıt Mosque, the fire tower and the monumental gate which date back to the 19th century. From the
Beyazıt Tower the gorgeous panoramic scenery of Istanbul can be viewed. The structure which was built as a fire watching tower in 1749 was first built of wood. The tower which was demolished two times due to different reasons was erected by
Serasker Hüseyin Pasha between 1828-1829 during the reign of
Mahmut II for the third and the last time. The tower comprises four compartments namely the the guard floor, the signal floor, the basket floor and the banner floor. Architecturally it has been designed in form of an octagonal circle. The 50 meter high fire tower has been restored in the year 1997 and is in use again. Presently the tower is used for fire watching and for generating meteorological and motoring reports.
