A Piece of Istanbul Postcards (Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi))

Member Name: Emrahsenel

Product:	Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi)
Date:	20/09/01 (361 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Romantic symbol of Istanbul, Can't think about Istanbul view without Maiden's Tower, youc can have your dinner there

Disadvantages: none

When you cross the Bosphorus by ferry, a beautiful tower on a tiny islet near Asian shore will attract your attention. Its name is Maiden’s Tower, it is also known as Leander’s Tower. These two names derive from two different legends.

The first legend is about a king of Uskudar(a place in Istanbul) who kept his beautiful daughter locked up here. Actually the second name is just because of a misunderstanding. According to the legend, as far as I remember night a hero was drowned while swimming to the Tower to see his hero and Hero committed suicide. (something like that) But in real, legend was talking about Dardanelles , not Bosphorus.

Kiz Kulesi( Maiden's Tower) is the most romantic symbols of Istanbul. It can be seen from Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortakoy distric and many other interesting places of Istanbul.

I really love this tower and I cannot think about the Bosphorus view without Maiden’s Tower. It really looks beautiful. It is looks really romantic. So many people to go to Bosphorus in order to watch it. It is just like it looks in the postcards.
The tower was built by a Byzantine Emperor in 12th century. Current stone one was built by Sultan Ahmed III. Until today the tower is used as a lighthouse, semaphore station, quarantine, customs control area, and home for retired naval officers.

Recently, the tower was rented to a tourism company for 50 years. Now it serves as a café. The tower has been restored and turned into a restaurant. It has a terrace. There is a 'Bosphorus Cultures Museum' on the first floor. Additionally on the second floor there is a place where you can souvenirs. As far as I know, there is also a place in the Madien’s Tower, Where Bosphorus traffic is controlled.

Restaurant is very nice and it has the amazing view. Don’t forget you should make reservation in advance.

Opening hours, 11:30 till 24:00 (00:00)

Yo
u can get to Maiden’s Tower by boat. There are boats from Ortakoy, Sarayburnu.

Ortakoy - Kiz Kulesi
11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30.
Kiz Kulesi - Ortakoy
13:00, 15:00, 17:00,24:00 (00:00).
Sarayburnu - Kiz Kulesi
12:30, 14:30, 16:30. *
Kiz Kulesi - Sarayburnu
14:00, 16:00. *

If you want to get more information in English, you can call this number
Tel: 00 90 212 727 40 95.
Fax: 00 90 216 495 28 88.

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