Istanbul is famous for another landmark called Maiden's Tower. Some of the most beautiful photos of this city are with the Maiden's Tower on them. In Turkish it is known as Kiz Kulesi, but it is also often called Leander's Tower. The girl's tower is located on a small island, not far from the coast of the town of Uskudar on the Asian coast. Its purpose throughout history has not been exactly determined, as well as its origin. It originates from the time of the Eastern Roman Empire. Today it is used as a lighthouse, tourist attraction, restaurant and cafe.
Certain sources testify that it was created after the naval battle near Cyzicus and that it was built by the Athenian general Alcibiades as a customs station for ships. In 1110, the emperor built a wooden tower surrounded by walls. An iron chain connected the tower to another tower built on the European side of the coast. The protective wall was the link between the island and the Asian coast, and the remains can still be seen under the water today. In 1453, when Constantinople was under siege, the tower was under the command of the Venetian Gabriela Trevisan. After the conquest of the city by the Ottomans, the tower was taken over by Sultan Mehmed II and used as an observatory. Leander's Tower is named after the legend of the hero Leander.
After the earthquake in 1509, the tower was demolished, and it was burned in 1721. Since the tower was used as a lighthouse, the walls were reconstructed in the 1730s. In 1763, a new tower was built, and additionally renovated in 1832 during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II.
In 1954, it was rebuilt by the port authorities, and steel supports were added to the wooden tower in 1998 to prevent its collapse.
One of the more popular legends says that the tower was built for the sultan's daughter, whose death was predicted by a prophet, who told the sultan that when his daughter turns 18, she will die from the bite of a poisonous snake. Regardless of the fact that the sultan wanted to protect his daughter, the legend says that the snake was hidden in a basket of fruit that the sultan gave to his daughter for her birthday. The princess died from a snake bite, and the tower was named "Maiden's Tower" after her.
The tower itself is very beautiful and attractive to visit, inside it there is a restaurant and a bar, several small boats go to it during the day. It offers a wonderful view of Istanbul, and you can clearly see the famous Topkapi Palace. It is especially enjoyable to observe the tower from the shore both during the day and at night when it is illuminated and highlighted.
The tower is featured on the Turkish 10 lira banknote and has appeared in popular movies such as the 007 movie.
Author of the text:
Maja Glavaš, Bachelor with Honours in Communicology. Works in Tourism.
Contact: [email protected]; instagram: travel_europe1
Photo by Ibrahim Uzun on Unsplash
