Kız Kulesi - The Maiden Tower: A Legendary Istanbul Landmark

The Maiden Tower, locally known as Kız Kulesi, is a watchtower-like construction in Üsküdar, Istanbul, from the Byzantine period. A symbol of love and inspiration for many legends, the Maidens Tower stands on a small rock islet situated a few hundred yards in the Bosporus straight near Üsküdar shore. It is believed to have been built by the Greek general Alcibiades after his successful naval conquest of Cyzicus in the year 408 BC. It was built as a station for his ships. However, the Maidens tower found today has been destroyed, rebuilt, and restored several times over the course of history. Byzantine emperor Comnenus built a wooden tower in the year 1110 from which, an iron chain stretched to the opposite shore of the Bosporus straight, acting as an ingenious naval defense system for the then Constantinople City. After Constantinople fell to the Ottomans and became İstanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmet repurposed it as a watchtower.

There are numerous legends behind the towers name 'Kiz Kulesi'. The most famous of them among the locals is: Long long ago, a king received a prophecy from a fortune teller that The king's only beloved daughter would die from a snake bite on her eighteenth birthday. Terrified, the king started thinking of ways to protect his beloved princess and soon got an idea. He built a small tower in the middle of the sea and places his beloved daughter in it. None but the king was allowed to visit the princess. Once every week, the king would visit his daughter with supplies of food and gifts. The Young and beautiful princess was spending her time in isolation, away from all the people and excitement of the palace, eagerly waiting for the day of her freedom. After living in the tower for many years in solitude, finally, the day came, when she turned eighteen. And the days of her misery had finally come to an end. The king was very happy, for he successfully avoided the prophecy and saved his daughter. He went to visit the newly eighteen years old princess with a lot of gifts and a basket full of fruits to celebrate his daughter's birthday and announce her freedom. But hiding in the basket of fruits was a venomous snake. Just as the princess reached for the fruits, the snake bit her and the young princess died in her father's arms, fulfilling the prophecy. Thus, the tower got its name 'Kız Kulesi', meaning the Maidens Tower.

Another very popular myth surrounding the tower is that during Byzantine times, a nun named Sister Hera was appointed to take care of the tower. Hera was a very beautiful woman and her beauty didn't go unnoticed by a boy named Leandros. Both of them fell in love with each other, but as it was prohibited for Sister Hera to marry, they kept their relationship a secret. Every night, Leandros would swim from Uzkudar shore to the tower to spend time with his beloved Hera. Hera would wait for Leandros every night with a lantern in her hand. One fateful night, the weather was stormy and the mighty Bosporus was rough. Monstrous waves thrashed the shores of Uzkudar. But this didn't discourage Leandros who was blinded by Hera's love. He jumped into the sea to swim to the tower to meet her. Hera anxiously waited on the other side for her beloved with a lantern in her hand. The night passed but Leandros didn't appear. In the break of the dawn, Leandrose's lifeless body washed up on the shore of the islet. Sister Hera couldn't bear the sight, she too jumped into the sea and perished with her beloved; their souls uniting with the spirit of the mighty Bosporus. Ever since the Maidens Tower became a symbol of love.

"The maiden tower or known as Kız Kulesi"

However, the tower we see today isn't the one built by Alcibiades for his naval fleet. It was rebuilt as a wooden tower by the Byzantines to facilitate a defense mechanism. During Fatih Sultan Mehmet's conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the Byzantines used the rock islet as a military base. The tower then got repurposed as a light-house by the Ottomans after the fall of Constantinople, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1509, got rebuilt, then got destroyed again in 1721 by fire. The reconstruction this time was commissioned by Sultan Mehmet the Third's grand vizier Damat İbrahim Pasha. In the year 1763, the tower was reconstructed with stone. Sultan Mahmud the second restored the tower again in 1832. The final restoration was done in the year 1998.

Kız Kulesi or Maiden Tower has got a huge influence on popular culture not only in Turkey but all over the world. The tower was featured twice in the James Bond movies. It was also featured in several other Hollywood films, Turkish dramas, American reality shows, popular games like Assassin's Creed: Revelations and so many other places. Not to mention all the numerous legends and myths surrounding the tower that still fascinates many people all around the world.

In the year 1999, a cafe and restaurant were built in the interior of the tower with incredible views of both the Asian and European sides of Istanbul City and the Bosporus channel. The islet is open for exploration by tourists. Boats go up and down the tower from Üsküdar, the Asian side of Istanbul, making it easily accessible for visitors. Kız Kulesi is a must-visit spot for tourists visiting Istanbul.

The Kız Kulesi has witnessed two huge empires grow and then fall. Yet, it stands proudly in the middle of the sea between two continents, in a place of great importance as the Bosporus channel, guiding sailors for two millenniums, with its rich history and fascinating myths, and huge influence over popular culture, The Kız Kulesi of Istanbul is as iconic as it can be.

In conclusion, Kız Kulesi, also known as the Maiden Tower, is a fascinating and iconic landmark in Istanbul that holds a special place in the city's history and culture. The tower has served many different purposes over the centuries, from a military lookout to a lighthouse and a quarantine station, and today it stands as a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Istanbul's rich heritage.

Visitors to Kız Kulesi can enjoy stunning views of the city and the Bosphorus, as well as learn about the tower's fascinating history and legends. The tower's beautiful architecture and picturesque setting also make it a popular spot for romantic dinners, weddings, and other special events.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Kız Kulesi is the various myths and legends associated with it, including the story of the tower's construction by a wealthy man to protect his daughter from a prophecy that she would die from a snake bite on her 18th birthday. These stories add to the tower's mystique and charm, and have helped to make it a beloved cultural icon in Istanbul.

Overall, Kız Kulesi is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Istanbul's rich history and culture. Its stunning views, beautiful architecture, and fascinating legends make it a true highlight of any trip to Istanbul, and a symbol of the city's enduring charm and appeal.

If you want to visit this amazing Historical The Maiden Tower with great joy and transportation facilities, and knowledgeable tour guides with various language skills, just by contacting Ottoman Tours and Travels.