There are legends about Maiden's Tower. Accoring to one of the legends The King who wanted to protect his daughter to be killed by a serpent after the talks of a soothsayer constructed this tower at sea . But he couldn't protect her : The princess died because of an attack of a serpent who came to the islet in a fruit basket.
Built in the 4th century, Maiden's Tower is located on a islet which is just 200 meters from the shores of Uskudar in Asian side. It is reconstructed many times after the damages it incures. At first It was a wooden structure. Then it was reconstructed as a stone building by the head architect Damat Ibrahim Pasa from Nevsehir in 1725. In 1857 a lanterne was added.
Maiden's Tower was used as a lighthouse , a quarantine hospital during the epidemics ( cholera and plaque ) , a radar station in the history. Nowadays, it is a touristic place thanks to the restaurant opened in 1995.
Address:
Salacak , Uskudar , Istanbul
