Maiden’s Tower

Maiden’s Tower: The Bosphorus’ Jewel

If you stand an any point along the edge of the Bosphorus, in the central part of Istanbul, you will see a small tower stuck seemingly in the middle of the water. You might wonder what this, and why it is there. The building you’re seeing is Maiden’s Tower, or Kiz Kulesi, in Turkish.

Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, in a small district called Salacak, Maiden’s Tower sits part way between Uskudar and Kadikoy. This is a building which has adorned many a tea towel, fridge magnet, and tourist piece of Istanbul, and it is one which has served many purposes, as well as having many a legend surrounding it.

What is Maiden’s Tower?

Maiden’s Tower is a small tower building which sits on an islet, just off the edge of the Asian shore of Istanbul. The tower was first built during the 5th century, with the purpose of a control point for ships, collecting taxes. This continued into the Byzantine period. During the Ottoman era, the tower was converted into a lighthouse, as a watch out point.

These days, Maiden’s Tower acts as a museum and restaurant, which you can visit with ease, however you might have seen it in The World is Not Enough, the famous James Bond film. It has also featured in a video game, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations.

Despite all of this, the legends which surround Maiden’s Tower are much more interesting than the real history itself!

The Legends of Maiden’s Tower

There are several legends which are connected with Maiden’s Tower, but the most common one is the story of two lovers. Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite, and a man called Leander. You will sometimes hear the tower called ‘Leander’s Tower, after this particular myth. These two fell deeply in love, and every night, Leander would brave the cold temperatures of the Bosphorus and swim over to the tower to see Hero. She would light a fire in the top of the tower so he could see his way more clearly. Unfortunately, one night, the fire was blown out by the wind, and Leander drowned trying to get to the tower. Hero took her life, to live with Leander in the afterlife.

If that wasn’t enough, another myth is about a princess of the Byzantine Empire. A fortune teller told her father, the Emperor, that a serpent/snake would bite the princess before her 18th birthday and she would die. Terrified that the tale might come true, her father took her to the tower and locked her in there, until she was 18, in order to protect her from the so-called serpent or snake which was due to come her way. Upon her 18th birthday, happy that no harm had come to his daughter, he bought a basket of fruit to the tower upon visiting her. Without his knowledge, the serpent/snake was inside the basket, bit her, and she died.

Whether either of these are true, who knows, but the myths are part of what makes Maiden’s Tower so special, and why so many people visit on a daily basis.

Visiting Maiden’s Tower

There are three things you can do in connection with Maiden’s Tower. Firstly, you can simply look at it from the shore. This is something most people do, and you can sit at one of the waterside cafes along the coast from Uskudar, comfortable on the cushions, sipping tea, with the tower in front of you. This is also the single best spot for the sun setting over the Golden Horn, and a sight you simply need to photograph for your collection.

Secondly, you can visit Maiden’s Tower and go inside to look around and check out the view from there. This will cost you 20TL admission fee and you will need to take the boat which connects to the mainland, to reach the tower. This is included as part of your fee and runs periodically. You might have to wait a few minutes for another boat to return. There is a small museum inside the tower, which tells you about the history, and this is a great way to spend a little time.

Thirdly, you can visit Maiden’s Tower for dinner. There is a fantastic restaurant inside the tower which serves traditional and international dishes. Be warned, this isn’t the cheapest restaurant in Istanbul, but you’re getting the single best location around, and the view is something you’ll remember forever. You’ll need to make reservations during busy times, and it’s best to do this anyway, to make sure you’re not waiting for too long, or that you’re not disappointed.

Maiden’s Tower is open every day, from 9am until midnight. If you want to dine at the restaurant, breakfast begins at 9am, as the tower opens, and the lunch menu begins at 12pm. The dinner menu gives you two main options, and you should check options online prior to visiting. The bar is open until midnight, when the tower closes for the evening. Of course, if you have a special occasion, such as an anniversary or a birthday, let them know in advance you can have an even more memorable time!

Whether you believe the legends which surround Maiden’s Tower, or you simply believe it was lookout and check point during history, it doesn’t matter – what matters is that you appreciate the beauty of this iconic structure. As you pass over the Bosphorus Bridge be sure to look over and spot the tower, which lights up beautifully as the evening falls. Put simply, a visit to Istanbul would certainly not be complete without gazing upon Maiden’s Tower in person, whether you go inside or not.

Once you have finished with the tower, be sure to explore Uskudar’s authentic atmosphere, or continue down the coast to Kadikoy, which has many dining and shopping opportunities, as well as being the home to Fenerbahce, one of Turkey’s most famous football clubs. You can easily link back over to the European side by Marmaray train, or ferry.