Audio GuideMaiden's Tower

In the heart of Istanbul, perched above the shimmering waters of the Bosphorus, stands the Maiden’s Tower—Kız Kulesi—a slender structure set on a tiny islet near Üsküdar. Its history stretches back over two millennia, originally serving as a customs checkpoint controlling ships sailing between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Over the centuries, the tower has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, withstanding invasions, earthquakes, and fires.

Ibrahim Beytekin

Early versions, built by Byzantine emperors, were constructed from timber and stone, and at one time these rulers even stretched strong iron chains across the strait to control maritime traffic. After the conquest of the city in the middle of the fifteenth century, the Ottomans transformed the tower into a watchtower, a lighthouse, and, at times, a quarantine station during outbreaks of disease. Throughout its many roles, the beam from Kız Kulesi has steadfastly guided sailors, watching over the waterways in darkness and thick mist.

Gencebay GÜR

The tower’s fame is enhanced by its many legends. Perhaps the most cherished story is of a sultan’s beloved daughter, hidden away in the tower after a prophecy foretold her death by snakebite. Yet, on her eighteenth birthday, a serpent concealed among the fruit brought to her struck, and her fate could not be avoided—forever entwining the tower with tales of destiny and tragic love. Another legend echoes the ancient Greek story of Hero and Leander, lovers destined to be apart, separated by the channel’s waters.

WARxSØFE

Kız Kulesi’s appearance has changed through the centuries—an Ottoman-era stone base supports the upper levels added later, and its architecture bears traces of Greek, Byzantine, and Turkish influence. Each layer carries the imprint of its era.

Today, Kız Kulesi stands as an emblem of Istanbul itself, woven into daily life and the arts: it has appeared on Turkish banknotes, in paintings and novels, and in films ranging from blockbusters like James Bond to beloved local dramas. A recent restoration has revitalised its structure while preserving its historical features. To Istanbul’s residents, the tower remains a sentinel of memory and a symbol of romance—a place where the city’s past and its myths meet above the waves.