The Maiden's Tower in Istanbul

Today, I would like to talk to you about the Maiden's Tower, one of the historical buildings of Istanbul, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Many legendary stories are told about this magnificent work, which was built on a small island in the Bosphorus and is believed to have been built around 340 BC, although it is not known exactly when it was built.

The most well-known of these stories are as follows:

One of the fortune-tellers of the period prophesied that the daughter of the king of the city would die by being bitten by a snake. On top of that, the king, who loves his daughter very much, has a tower built in the middle of the sea for his daughter to live, and thus aims to prevent the snakes from reaching his daughter. However, one day, a snake hidden in the basket containing the fruits taken to the tower, stings the king's daughter and causes her death.

Many legendary stories such as this one are told about the Maiden's Tower. Now let's take a look at the history of the tower together.

The ancient name of the Maiden's Tower, located 200 meters off Salacak in the Üsküdar district on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, was Damalis and Leandros. Damalis, who was the wife of the Athenian king of the time, Kharis, was buried on these beaches after he died, and this name was given to the tower. In addition, the tower was also called Arcla, meaning small castle, during the Eastern Roman Empire.

After the Turks conquered Istanbul, a restoration was carried out using wood to repair the weathered tower. However, at the beginning of the 18th century, a fire broke out and the wooden tower was destroyed. Within 6 years, the Maiden's Tower was rebuilt by the chief architect of the city. During this reconstruction, a glass section is made at the top of the tower and its roof is arranged in the shape of a dome.

This tower, which was destroyed several times over time, was rebuilt each time because both the magnificent view of the Bosphorus from the location of the island built on it and its location at a very suitable point to be used as a lighthouse made it indispensable in many different periods.

The Maiden's Tower was used as a tax collection center from commercial ships, especially the lighthouse, and even as a quarantine hospital during the cholera epidemic in the first quarter of the 19th century.

The Maiden's Tower is located on an island that can be easily seen with the naked eye from the beach. The coastal point where this tower can be seen most easily is also the meeting place of lovers.

Maiden's Tower, which is a special restaurant today, is an ideal place for lovers to have a delicious dinner at sunset and accompanied by the unique view of the Bosphorus.

I hope one day you can come together with your loved ones at a happy dinner table accompanied by a delicious view at the Maiden's Tower.

Stay with love…