Maiden's Tower (Maiden's Tower, Turkish name: Kız Kulesi), also known as Leandrov Tower is a former lighthouse, which is now one of the main pearls and a symbol of Istanbul.
Today the Maiden's Tower can be visited.
The tower is located on a small natural island in the waters of the Bosphorus Strait, a few meters from the coast of the Asian side of Istanbul - the Usküdar district.
The tower is clearly visible from the embankment of the Asian part of the city; it is also visible from the European side of Istanbul.
There are two versions associated with the initial appearance of the tower. According to one version, the tower, as a tax office, was built by the Athenian commander Alcibiades to control and collect taxes from Persian ships passing through the Bosphorus. According to another version, the tower was built during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great as a watchtower.
After the capture of Constantinople (now the city of Istanbul) in 1453, a wooden lighthouse was built on the island, facing the Marmara Sea.
During its history, the tower has been a lighthouse, a prison and a quarantine isolation ward.
The tower suffered from earthquakes, fires and weather conditions, but it was always restored.
In 1829, the Maiden Tower served as an isolation hospital during a cholera outbreak.
The last major renovation of the Maiden Tower during the Ottoman Empire was carried out during the reign of Mahmud II. After the restoration in 1832-1833, the tower was given its current appearance.
In 1932, the tower was transferred to the Istanbul Port Authority. It acted as a beacon, which had previously been fully automated.
In 1999, the tower underwent major repairs, and then it was opened to visitors. The tower houses a restaurant, an observation deck and a souvenir shop. On small boats, for a fee, visitors can get to the tower from the berths on the Asian (near the tower) and European sides of the city.
Today, the tower attracts many tourists. Who arrive by ferry (act as public transport) at the ferry pier Uskyudar (Üsküdar) on the Asian side of Istanbul, and then follow the embankment to admire the Maiden Tower and the views of the European side of the city.
Photo sessions are arranged on the embankment near the tower
As with many of the main attractions, several legends are associated with the Maiden Tower.
The most famous of the legends told the story of the king and his daughter. So, according to legend, the king, who was warned by a fortune teller that his daughter would die because of a snake bite, built a Maiden Tower on the rocks in the waters of the strait to protect his daughter, and placed her in this tower. From time to time, the king sent his daughter various products to the tower, and one day, a small snake hiding in a fruit basket got into the tower and bit the king's daughter, as a result of which the heiress died.
Anyone can visit the Maiden Tower.
The tower has a courtyard.
Every evening at 21:00 there is a light and laser show, which can be observed from the shore or from ferries in the waters of the Bosphorus.
Also, the tower is used as an observation deck, which offers views of the Bosphorus and its banks.
A visit to the Maiden Tower is paid.
Entrance ticket to the Maiden Tower - 550 liras. Complex ticket for visiting the tower + ferry to the tower - 600 liras. Holders of Istanbul Museum Cards, which include a visit to the tower, pay only an additional transport fee of 50 Turkish lira.
Boats departing from Üsküdar-Salacak and Galataport İstanbul deliver guests to the Maiden Tower. Boats from Uskudar-Salachak depart from the ticket office of the Maiden Tower from 09:00 to 17:30. Boats leave less often from Galataport Pier.
For visits, the Maiden Tower is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00.
Attention! Ticket prices, opening hours, visiting conditions, the time of the laser show and the schedule of boats to the Maiden Tower may change, we recommend that you check the information on the Maiden Tower website: kizkulesi.gov.tr.
Coordinates of the Maiden Tower: 41°01'16.0"N 29°00'14.0"E (41.021111, 29.003889).
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