Known as Kız Kulesi in Turkish, Maiden’s Tower (also known as Tower of Leandros) is an iconic landmark of Uskudar built upon a rock surfaced small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus in B.C. 410. If you take a ferry when you visit Istanbul, you can see this historical beauty, and especially at nights it has also a beautiful view with its romantic lights. The tower has a rich history as well as some legends.

When Ottoman Army conquered Istanbul, the tower was demolished and it was later replaced with a wooden structure which was destroyed by a fire in the year of 1719. The famous architect in Istanbul, Nevsehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasa rebuilt its stone version, and in 1857, a well-known calligrapher Rakim Efendi inscribed the signature of Sultan Mahmut II on marble. The automatic lighting system was completed in 1920.

Maiden’s Tower has used for different purposes throughout the history, such as a toll station by Greeks, as a chain off the Bosphorus by Byzantines and as a watchtower by Ottomans.

Apart from its history, there are many legends about why Maiden Tower was built. According to a famous legend; a king had a prophecy that his daughter would die due to a snakebite when she became 18 years old. The king tried to prevent his daughter from a snakebite, so he ordered an off-shore tower to be built where his daughter could live safely. Unfortunately, a basket of fruit with a snake hidden in it was brought to the princess for her birthday celebration, and she was bit and died in the arms of her father.

According to another legend, a man named Leandros loved a girl named Hero who was living in the tower. Leandros swam every night to see the beautiful girl, and the girl light a fire to guide her lover to the tower. On a stormy night, the fire was put out and her lover Leandros could not find his way, and he drowned in the sea. When she saw the corpse of Leandros onto the rocks, she committed suicide by throwing herself from the window and landed next to her lover.

Today, Maiden Tower is a touristic attraction which can be visited by taking the boat departing from Uskudar coast. You can also have a romantic dinner at the restaurant opened at the bottom of Maiden Tower, and enjoy the glamorous view of Bosphorus.