İstanbul has one of the richest cultural heritages in the world with thousands of years of history. This great metropolis is home to many monuments bearing the traces of different civilizations.

We have compiled 10 must-see monuments in İstanbul for you:

Taksim Republic Monument

The Taksim Republic Monument, located in Taksim Square, was built by Italian Pietro Canonica, the winner of a worldwide competition to build a monument in Taksim Square, which was chosen as the new demonstration area of the republic.

Çemberlitaş Column

The Column of Çemberlitaş, also known as the Burnt Column or the Column of Constantine, was erected in 330 in honor of Emperor Constantine I on Çemberlitaş, one of the seven hills of İstanbul.

Atatürk and Youth Monument

The "Atatürk and Youth Monument" in front of the headquarters of İstanbul University was built in 1955 by sculptor Yavuz Görey.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Monument

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Monument, located in the park between Fatih Bozdoğan Arch and Saraçhane passage, was built by Fatih Municipality on May 29, 1987 in memory of Fatih Sultan Mehmed.

Maiden Tower

Located in the middle of the Bosphorus, the Maiden's Tower dates back to the 5th century BC. Known for its history full of legends, this tower is one of the symbolic structures of İstanbul.

Galata Tower

Galata Tower, one of the most iconic buildings in İstanbul, was built by the Genoese in 1348.

Obelisk of Constantine

The Obelisk of Constantine is located in Sultanahmet Square. Although the exact date of construction of the monument is unknown, it is believed to have been built during the reigns of Constantine I (324-337 AD) or Theodosius I (379-395 AD).

Kadıköy Bull Statue

The Bull Statue was built in 1864 by the French sculptor Isidore Jules Bonheur.

Beşiktaş Eagle Statue

Beşiktaş Eagle Statue was commissioned by Bülent Çınar, Head of Mimar Sinan University Sculpture Department.

Arkadios Column

The Arkadyos Column or Avrat Stone is a victory column erected by the emperor in İstanbul after the Gothic rebellion that broke out in the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Arkadyos in the 5th century was suppressed by the Hun King and the rebel Gaines was defeated and his head was sent to İstanbul.