The Maiden's Tower, İstanbul

The Historical Maiden's Tower is one of Istanbul's unique beauties. This magnificent structure built on the rocky rock at the entrance of the Bosphorus has been the subject of various myths. The Maiden's Tower, which became the symbol of Üsküdar, was built on a small island.

The Maiden's Tower, which has witnessed thousands of years of history, has been a source of inspiration for the great poet, the artist, the writer, the musician, the director, and the photographer as symbols of love, loneliness, loneliness, on the artist's canvas, in his lens, in his camera, in his lines, in his lines and in his compositions.

Past Daily Tower of the Girl
The only remains of the Byzantine period in Üsküdar, the Tower of the Girl, dates back 2500 years. This unique structure has lived a history identical to the history of Istanbul and witnessed that this city lived. From ancient Greece to Byzantine Empire, from Byzantine to Ottoman Empire, it has been up to date as it existed in all historical periods. Some European historians call it Leander's Tower.


How to get to the Maiden's Tower
This island was first used as a private house in the Greek period and was used as an additional building and customs station built during the Byzantine period. During the Ottoman period, it had many functions, from demonstration platform, defense fortress, exile station to quarantine room. He has never lost the ability to guide people with their primary duty, who have existed for centuries, and the night with the winking lanterns of the last ships. It leads to the dreams of the future from the past to the future.

The Kiz Kulesi Restored in 2000, Kiz Kulesi Restaurant, which opened to Kuledebar, has now become a place where cutlery sounds are heard.

Access to the Maiden's Tower; It is built with boats from Üsküdar and Kabataş.


Dining at the Maiden's Tower
If you want to have an unforgettable meal in the unique view of Istanbul, the Maiden's Tower will fulfill your wishes. You can have a pleasant dinner with your loved ones at Kız Kulesi Restaurant. You can dine at Kuledebar, located on the top floor of the restaurant after dinner, sipping your drink in front of the magnificent scenery and enjoying the dark conversations with your loved ones.

The Sad Love Story of the Maiden's Tower
The most impressive story of the Maiden's Tower, which has been found in many myths, is the immortal love story of two lovers "Hero and Leandros".

It is also said that this myth emerged at the narrowest crossing of the Dardanelles. But today, perhaps even from the romantic touch it has, the story that comes to mind most when called the Maiden's Tower.

According to the legend, there is a temple built in the name of Aphrodite, the goddess, on the back of Üsküdar at the time. Hero, named in the story, is the priestess of the temple where the young girls serve. Hero is in charge of looking at Kulede. Every year in the spring, ceremonies are held around the temple in the name of the awakening of nature; Those who can not find love call on Aphrodite to get their loved ones they dream of.

Leandros, who lives on the opposite bank of the Bosphorus, also comes to the temple to attend this ceremony and meets Hero. Two youngsters fall in love at first sight. But there is a big obstacle in between. Hero is a nun and marriage is forbidden. However, Leandros wants to get to Hero at all costs. One night, while looking at the tower from the shore, she sees a fire burning on the top of the Maiden's Tower. Hero leads Leandros with his torch. The calm sea is accompanied by bright light of the moon. Leandros, a good and durable swimmer, jumps into the waters of the Bosphorus with the dream of rehabilitating Hero. They start to swim with the power and come to the Tower. The two youngsters bless their love that night.

The Maiden's Tower witnesses two genocide secret sins and forbidden sex each night after that day. Leandros, in a stormy night, will leave himself alone in the horny waters of the Bosphorus to get the unique love Hero. Hero also leads Leandros with the torch as if it were every night. However, Hero's exuberant wind, which leads to his unique love, extinguishes. Leandros lost his way in the dark, can not know where to swim, and gets farther away from the Tower. Leandros, tired and exhausted, can not last any longer and disappears in the dark waters of the throat. Waiting for love as much as sadness with unbearable anxiety, Leo sees Leandros' lifeless body on the opposite shore, and can not stand this pain and leaves herself in the waters of the Maiden's Tower.