The Maiden’s Tower is an elegant house built on a small island in the middle of the sea, located at the Üsküdar district of Istanbul. This legendary tower whose making of many years, is home to a large number of domestic and foreign tourists with all its glory.
The Maiden’s Tower serves as a restaurant where you can go to make your special days memorable. You should go to the Maiden’s Tower in order to have an awesome dinner in the middle of the sea and then watch the view of Istanbul from the top of the tower
You must definitely add this tower to your list, and here you will admire its legendary view and the beauty of the sea.
Information about the Maiden’s Tower
The Maiden’s Tower is located at the Salacak Street of Üsküdar near the Sea of Marmara of the Bosphorus. This historic building, known as the symbol of Üsküdar, dates back to 24 BC. At the same time, the tower is the only artifact from the Byzantine period in Üsküdar.
Most of the construction and bottom floor of the building was made in time of II. Mehmed. Throughout history, the main task of the building, which functions as a custom station, a show platform, a defensive column, a shooting station, a quarantine room, is a lantern leading to the ships. It was made by II. Mahmud. For this reason, the marble plate on the top of the tower dates back to 1832 and there is a brick on this marble plate which is the work of Calligrapher Rasim. The building, which was restored in 2000, has been operated as a restaurant since then.
The Legend of Maiden’s Tower
The Maiden’s Tower is a unique structure that was mentioned in legends and used for many purposes throughout its history and beauty. Although there are many legends about this building, the most known legend is certainly sneaky one.
According to the legend, the Byzantine Emperor had a daughter. This girl, who has been waiting for a long time, was loved by everyone in the palace. The emperor treasured her daughter and asks the state’s most authoritative people to prepare her for the throne. But a predictor said the emperor that she would die as a result of snake bite before she was 18 years old.
The emperor prepared the tower in the middle of the sea in order to protect her daughter, and thought she would be safe here. And he wanted to get back her after she turned 18. The emperor thought that snakes couldn’t enter the tower.
After many years, she turned 18 years but they couldn’t escape from her fate. One day, a basket of grape was sent to the tower for her. While she was eating the grapes, a snake approched and bited her. So, the princess died.
The emperor who faced with his painful destiny admitted that he could not change what would happen. He thought that if he buried her daughter in the ground, the snakes would bite her again. That’s why he prepared a coffin for her daughter. The emperor ordered the coffin to be placed on one of the upper walls of Hagia Sophia. However, it is noticed that there were two holes on the coffin. It thoughts that the snakes did not leave her in peace in even her coffin.
Maiden’s Tower: Breakfast
If you want to have breakfast in the Maiden’s Tower, which greets Istanbul at the most beautiful spot of the Bosphorus, you can choose any day of the week. If you want to go there on weekdays, breakfast is between 10.00 – 13.00 and served in the form of plates. The price of the breakfast is 40 TL per person including transportation by boat. On the weekends, also the mixed breakfast is served there between 10:00-13:00 hours. The price of mixed breakfast is 75 TL per person including boat transportation.
Maiden’s Tower: Dinner
You can go to the Maiden Tower every day of the day. The dinning service starts at 20:15 in the tower. The dining menu which suitable for the tower’s atmosphere accompanied with live music is served as two options. The prices of the two menu are 155 and 185 TL. If you want to add beverage to your menu, you need to pay an extra fee.
Maiden’s Tower: Transportation
In order to reach the Maiden’s Tower, you need to go to Üsküdar Pier Square firstly.
Ferryboat: You can reach Üsküdar with ferryboats and motor boats departing from Beşiktaş and Eminönü.There are round voyages to reach Maıden’s Tower. Later, you need to choose these transportation options.
Bus: 2 Üst Bostancı-Üsküdar, 6 Küçük Çamlıca-Üsküdar, 9A Atakent-Üsküdar, 9Ç Çekmeköy-Üsküdar, 9U Demokrasi Street-Uskudar, 11A Alemdar-Uskudar, 12 and 12A Uskudar-Kadıköy.
Marmaray: If you want to go there on the European side, you can get off at the Üsküdar stop of Marmaray.
Ring Expeditions: Boat rings to the Maiden’s Tower begin at 09:15 on the Salacak and continue until 18:30 every 15 minutes. In the evening, there is expeditions for the visitors with reservation from 20.15 to 00.30.In addition, there is direct access to the Maiden’s Tower from Kabatas.
Maiden’s Tower: Contact Info
Address: Salacak Street, Üsküdar Salacak, Üsküdar / Istanbul
Telephone: (0212) 342 47 47
