Maiden’s Tower between the past and the present
Maiden's Tower between the past and the present
Between myth and reality,Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) shines on the coast of the Asian part of
the Turkish city of Istanbul. Many strange stories were associated with him, the truth of which was not known yet,
which kept him a mysterious mystery in the water show, and a special place that attracts
thousands of tourists, and Turkish wedding parties. Where he stands alone at the meeting point of
the continents of Asia and Europe in the middle of the Bosphorus Strait, observing the great Istanbul.
With its age of 2,500 years, the Maiden’s Tower lived as a witness to the city’s history and experiences,
starting from the Byzantine rule, passing through the Ottoman rule, and up to contemporary history.
It is characterized by a balcony surrounding its summit, which has a unique view, which becomes
even more enchanting with the presence of seagulls that resound in the place and fly over and near it in large numbers.
Where is Maiden’s Tower located?
The tower is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, between (Uskudar) and (Harm) on the beach that
extends opposite Old Istanbul, where the Istanbul sun sets in its arms.The history of the construction of the Maiden’s Tower
When looking at the historical evidence, we find that the tower was first built in 410 B.C.,
and was used by the Greek commander Alcibiades in order to control ships passing through
the Bosphorus and collect taxes. After the Romans took control of Istanbul,
the Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos reinforced the building with stones, designed it as a complete tower,
and turned it into a defensive building. After that, the tower remained deserted for many years,
until it was used in 1110 as a station for ships coming across the Black Sea. After the conquest
of Istanbul by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (the Conqueror) in 1453, the Ottomans used it as a watchtower
after building the foundations of the tower and important parts of the basement, and it remained
so until large parts of it were destroyed by the earthquake that struck the city in 1509. After its repair,
it used a lighthouse until 1829, and then began using a sanitary quarry
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The most famous tales about the Maiden’s Tower
The most famous stories about its construction are that there was a sultan who loved his daughter very much,
and he had a dream, according to which on her 18th birthday a snake would bite her and take her life.
And as soon as he woke up, he removed his daughter from land to protect her, as he filled
in part of the Bosphorus Strait, and built a tower for her in the middle of the strait, to protect her from any snake.
The Sultan’s daughter received a gift, which consisted of a basket full of fruits, in which a snake was hiding,
which bit the girl and killed her.
There is another sad legend that reveals the reason for naming the tower by this name, according
to which the sea prevented the two lovers, Leondros and Hero, from being close. On a stormy night,
as soon as Leondros saw the lamp burning in the tower inhabited by Hero, he jumped into the sea thinking
that his beloved had sent for him, but the lamp He was enlightened by another who knew of the secret sign
between the two lovers, with the aim of killing Leondros, who was drowned by the waves of the sea.
Upon learning of the death of her lover, Hiro could not bear the pain of separation, so she threw herself
into the sea and ended her life.
What is characterized by the Maiden’s Tower?
The Maiden’s Tower features a balcony with a charming view that delights the viewer, and the presence
of seagulls that resound in the place. Today, it is one of the most popular Turkish restaurants that offers
delicious meals and a variety of local and traditional foods, and there are many boats that go to it at
certain times from the Kabatas neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul, and from the Salacak
neighborhood on the Asian south. Hundreds of lovers await every day in the cafes of the port of Uskudar for the most beautiful moment of sunset in the arms of the Girl’s Tower. The unique tower consists of 6 floors with
a height of 23 meters, linked by a spiral staircase through which it is possible to move easily, to enjoy
restaurants and cafes.