Maiden Tower

The Maiden's Tower is one of the symbols of Istanbul. 

The most well-known story of this tower dates back to 2500 years ago and is said to have been built by a king in ancient times to prevent a prophecy about his daughter. 

According to the legend, when the king learned that his daughter would be bitten to death by a snake when she turned 18, he built this tower in the middle of the sea and thought that by keeping her in this tower away from land and snakes, he would protect her from the wrath of the snake mentioned in the prophecy.

However, when her daughter turned 18, a snake hidden in a basket of grapes sent to the tower still bit the princess and caused her death.

There are other stories and literary works about the tower.

From the literary works about Galata tower and Maiden's tower falling in love and the Bosphorus preventing this love, to the story of Leandros' sad death, which is known as the story of his undying love, there are many stories about the tower.

One last story takes place long before the foundation of the Ottoman Empire.

Before Fatih's conquest of Istanbul, during the Seljuk period, Battal Gazi besieged the city to conquer Istanbul and set up his headquarters on the shores of Üsküdar, opposite the Maiden's Tower. 

At the time, the tekfur of Üsküdar had a beautiful daughter and the rich tekfur locked his treasure and his daughter in this tower so that they would be hidden from the eyes of the siege. 

Battal Gazi continues the siege for seven years, and when he realizes that he will not succeed, he gives up the siege. 

However, on the last night before returning, he raided the tower, took the beautiful daughter of the Tekfur he had noticed a while ago and all the treasure hidden in the tower with him, and returned back in the direction of Üsküdar.

Today, this event is the source of the saying "the horse has crossed Üsküdar".

It is said that the name Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower) was given to this tower in those days in reference to the previous princesses.

However, when we look at the historical evidence, we see that the Maiden's Tower was first mentioned in 410 BC.

This tower, which is said to have been built by the Athenian commander Alkibiades, was used at that time to control the ships passing through the strait and to collect taxes. 

The tower, which was later used for various purposes, was restored many times throughout history, including the Ottoman period.

Nowadays, it is being renovated again with restoration works. I think the restoration work will be finished soon.

This time, it is said that the dome of the tower, which was made of concrete in previous restorations because it would be more robust because it was worn out, was converted back to its original shape in this last restoration, considering that it could cause the tower to collapse in a possible earthquake, that is, this time it was made of wood again. I think it was better if it was built according to the original.

It is really good that this tower, which I used to admire from the Üsküdar coast, has been restored again. 

When we were young, I used to love watching the sunset with the view of the Maiden's Tower. It has a very beautiful view across the tower.

Speaking of which, let me share with you a crazy idea that came to my mind.

There are some projects in the world with transparent tunnels underwater. 

Visitors like to visit such underwater museums by watching various fish underwater. 

These fish live in a natural environment in nets stretched at a certain distance. 

I wish a transparent underwater tunnel like this could be built in the Maiden's Tower. Why not?

The Maiden's Tower is not far from the coast, and with such a transparent underwater tunnel, the Tower can also be reached on foot. 

In this way, as I said, the natural aquarium created for some large fish around the tunnel would be offered to visitors, and since the Maiden's Tower at the end of the tunnel is accessible, this place would also be organized as a museum for those who want to watch the Bosphorus from the middle of the water. 

Perhaps a small restaurant could be organized inside, as in the past, but I don't think it is necessary, I think it will be enough to be able to watch the surroundings from the tower.

If such a project can be realized, it will definitely be a much more touristic attraction than it is now. 

As it is now, transportation can only be done by sea and it is very difficult to get there in this way.

I don't think you should dismiss this idea. When I think about it again, I think it's really not a bad idea.

Love and respect to everyone from Moscow