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Maiden's Tower

A historic tower on an islet at the mouth of the Bosphorus, a museum since 2023

Maiden's Tower

Maiden's Tower haqqında

The Maiden's Tower stands on a small islet about 200 metres off the Üsküdar shore, where the Bosphorus opens into the Sea of Marmara. It is one of the most photographed sights in Istanbul.

History of the Maiden's Tower

The first fortification on the islet dates from Byzantine times. The present building is mostly Ottoman: the tower was rebuilt after a fire in 1763 and later used as a lighthouse. After restoration in 2021–2023 it reopened as a museum.

The legend

The best-known story tells of a ruler who heard his daughter would die from a snake bite and moved her to the tower, only for a snake to arrive hidden in a fruit basket. The tower takes its name from this tale.

Tips for visiting

  • Boats leave from the Üsküdar and Karaköy piers.
  • The upper floor has good views of the historic peninsula and the Bosphorus.
  • The Salacak waterfront in Üsküdar is the place to watch the tower at sunset.

Şəkillər

Şəkil mənbəyi: Wikimedia Commons

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