Maiden's Tower

History of Maiden's Tower

On the site of the Maiden's Tower, it is thought that there was a watchtower in the 5th century BC. It is rumored that during this period, a tower was built by the Athenian commander Alcibiades to control the Bosphorus. It is also known as the "Tower of Leandros" by the Greeks. It got its name from the tragic story of two lovers named Hero and Leandros.

The first known structure of the Maiden's Tower was built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (1110 AD). During this period, the tower was used as a defensive tower to control the Bosphorus and prevent the entry of enemy ships. A chain was attached to the tower and attached to another tower at the other end of the Bosphorus, thus preventing the passage of enemy ships.

After the conquest of Istanbul, the Maiden's Tower was used by the Ottoman Empire for various purposes. The tower, which was renovated during the reign of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, was used both for defense purposes and as a customs station.Over time, the tower has taken on different functions such as a lighthouse, quarantine station, and radio station. It was also used as a quarantine station during the plague epidemic in the Ottoman Empire in 1830.

After the proclamation of the Republic, the Maiden's Tower was used as a lighthouse for a while, then it was abandoned. However, it was opened to tourism after restoration works in the 1990s. Today, the Maiden's Tower is visited as one of the important touristic spots of Istanbul.

Architecture of Maiden's Tower

The Maiden's Tower was designed as a square planned structure. There are sharp-edged walls at the four corners of the tower and an octagonal tower rises above it. The tower has a total height of about 23 meters including the ground floor. From sea level, the tower reaches about 30 meters.

Stone and brick materials were used in the construction of the Maiden's Tower. The materials used in the restorations made in different periods over time have been renewed, preserving the original texture of the tower. Each floor of the Maiden's Tower has small, rectangular windows. These windows were used both to provide light to the tower and for defensive purposes. The tower is built in the style of a hipped roof, there is a flagpole at the top of the roof.

The Maiden's Tower consists of four main floors; The ground floor was generally used as a service area. The upper floors, on the other hand, were used for various purposes such as defense, observation, storage and radio station in different periods. Stone stairs rising in a spiral shape in the interior connect the tower floors. During the Ottoman period, a simple decoration was preferred in the interior of the tower, depending on the functions used.

There is a balcony in the tower near the upper floors. This balcony was used for both defense and observation purposes. At the same time, a panoramic view of the Bosphorus can be viewed from here. The observation deck, located at the top of the Maiden's Tower, is a popular place for tourists, especially during sunset. This terrace offers visitors of the tower a unique view of Istanbul.

How to get to Maiden's Tower

Getting a yacht charter service to go to the Maiden's Tower is the best way to experience the unique view of the Bosphorus and the beauty of the Maiden's Tower from the sea.

You can rent a yacht in Istanbul and see the Maiden's Tower from the closest distance and make these moments immortal with photo shoots.

If you rent charter yachts in the evening after dark, you can enjoy the view of the Maiden's Tower, which offers a visual feast with laser lights, much better.

If you want to have a perfect yacht charter experience without any mishaps, you can rent luxury and comfortable yachts on our site at any time for affordable prices, regardless of summer and winter.