The Maiden’s Tower in Istanbul, like the Galata Tower, is often left out of tour itineraries due to lack of time and its ‘out of the way’ location, but not for lack of appeal, by any means. Another reason it has gone unnoticed in recent years was its restoration work, which kept it closed for a long time. But this unique monument is now open to everyone, and for this reason, we dedicate this post to its history and points of interest.
History of the Maiden’s Tower
The Maiden’s Tower in Istanbul is located at the southern mouth of the Bosphorus Strait, at a strategic point. Today it occupies a small island near the eastern shore of the city (Üsküdar district), but in its origins, it was connected to the land by a wall, which still exists underwater.
In fact, its original function was to control the entrance to the strait, as a kind of customs station. In the 12th century, for example, it is believed that the Byzantines deployed a chain from here to the western shore of the then Constantinople to block the passage of ships.
By the 15th century, it was a watchtower for Byzantine troops, and from the 16th century, the Ottomans also used it as a lookout and even as a lighthouse. But in the 19th century, it acquired another important function: that of a quarantine space for cholera patients and other contagious diseases.
Due to numerous earthquakes and other vicissitudes of time, most of the current Maiden’s Tower dates back to that era. Additionally, in the latest restoration a few years ago, a kind of steel framework was added to provide stability to the structure in anticipation of new earthquakes.
Legends of the Maiden’s Tower
This monument undoubtedly has a very evocative name. It refers to the legend according to which an ancient emperor imprisoned his daughter here to prevent a prophecy from being fulfilled: one that said that upon reaching 18 years of age, she would die from a snake’s venom. But on that very day, camouflaged in a fruit basket brought by her father, an asp bit the young woman, fulfilling the curse.
There is also another legend associated with the tower: that of Hero and Leander (which is why some know it as Leander’s Tower). The former was a priestess of Aphrodite and the latter, a young man in love with her. He would visit her by swimming from the shore each night, guided by a torch lit by his beloved. But on a stormy night, Hero couldn’t keep it lit, so Leander became disoriented and drowned. Upon seeing her lover’s lifeless body the next morning, she also ended her life. A story of love and tragedy spread by European travelers that, however, was mistakenly set here, as the original tales place it in the Dardanelles Strait.
What’s there and how to visit
After the latest restoration, the Maiden’s Tower is once again open for visits. With the entrance ticket, you can access the courtyard of the enclosure and the walkway of the crenelated wall, which has been musealized for better interpretation. On the other hand, the interior of the building is now a luxury restaurant, while the iconic tower is a cafe, from whose top you can enjoy extraordinary views of the surroundings. This is the useful information you should know:
- Hours: open every day, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Price: €32
- Transportation to get there: ferries from the Karaköy Ziraat pier
