Until the middle of the last century, a community of Latin origin called the Levant lived in Galata. It is known that more than half of the population of Beyoğlu is hosting the population of Latin origin. Today, people of this origin, even if few, who live at this hour still live as minorities. If we give some information about Genoese and Venetian sailors in Galata. The question of who these people are and how they came to Istanbul is a very long story. It is believed that a large part of this Latin community comes from the seafarers and merchants descendants of two major maritime states, such as the republics of Venice and Genoa. We tried to prepare a detailed article about the assets of Italian merchants and seafarers living in Istanbul and how exactly they came to Istanbul. In the Middle Ages, the republics of Venice and Genoa in Europe were the two largest powerful states in the seas. These two states had overseas trade colonies. We can say that they have a great advantage in the Mediterranean with their commercial privileges besides the commercial colonies. These two important states were also fighting each other wherever they met. In the Middle Ages, the Mediterranean was an important trade center, where many merchant ships passed all over the world and goods from many different regions could be found. The importance of the Mediterranean naturally swelled the appetites of these two states and caused them to struggle with each other.

It was Constantinople's wealth that did not fall from languages, which swelled the real appetite of these states. It was the Venetians who would make the first move to put this wealth. Venetians, who provoked the Crusaders and also helped over the sea, received the help of these aids and thus settled in Galata and established colonies. When it came to the Genoese, it was Byzantine. Genoese who helped Byzantium removed Venetians from the region and settled themselves in their places. Of course, the friction between these two states is not over here and has continued. As such, concessions continued to be granted to both states. At that time, Galata was divided into two as the Venetian quarter and the Genoese quarter. Over time, although Genoese were banned under normal conditions, they started building city walls and turning the city in Galata. As a result, the Galata Tower, which still exists today, has emerged. In response to this move by the Genoese, the Venetians did not remain idle. They made a counter-move with their managers who made their organization in Galata and were appointed with the title of balyos. The Balkapanı Inn, which is located in Istanbul today, was built due to this organization. Today, many different works and some names are more than the influence of that period. The concessions of Venetians continued after the conquest of Istanbul. However, to be able to do free trade, it was stipulated that they give 200 thousand pairs every year. In addition to free trade, they were allowed to have a balyos ambassador in Istanbul. Genoese were given the right to trade freely in Istanbul. However, Galata was not allowed to have an independent status. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han acted quite predictive and after that, he destroyed the city walls and connected Pera to Istanbul to prevent any trouble.

Venetians and Genoese living in Galata were of many different strains. Even during their short time in Galata, conflicts and ethnic quarrels were experienced with the effect of this diversity. During this period, there were various quarrels between sailors and Muslims and Janissaries. Generally, in such cases, people who served as mediators intervened. Seafarers, who remained as minorities at that time, were obliged to change their religion. This was especially the case for sailors who were captured in pirate attacks.

The port in Galata has always been the most popular destination for seafarers. The port of Galata consisted of piers located between Tophane and Azapkapı. It was extremely popular at that time and was extremely important for maritime trade. In the 16th century, Kasımpaşa turned into an important shipyard and naval center and gained extra importance in Galata.

Italian sailors were in great interaction with Turks at that time. As a result of this situation, are Italians and Turks affected by each other? Naturally, it is not possible for these two peoples, who lived together for a long time, to be unaffected by each other. It is known that many Genoese and Venetian masters took part in the Ottoman navy at that time. Besides, many Genoese and Venetian people are known to take part in important positions in the Ottoman Empire. One of the most important names who took part in the Ottoman Empire and found important evidence that he was Venetian was Parluklu İbrahim Pasha. It is difficult to give a clear answer as to whether İbrahim Pasha, who was one of the important names of the Magnificent Sultan Suleiman period, was Venetian. Only some sources contain some details about this information. One of the most important details that can be said about the Genoese and Venetian seafarers in Galata is that very important maritime terms have remained since that time. It is known that almost all the terms used today are from the Venetians and Genoese. In addition to the terms, it is known that many important Turkish and Italian idioms remain.