Maiden's Tower, Istanbul, Turkey - a photo on Flickriver

            The Maiden's Tower (Turkish: Kız Kulesi) is a tower lying on a small islet located at the southern entrance of Bosphorus strait 200 m off the coast of Üsküdar in Istanbul, Turkey.

In 1110 Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus built the tower possibly as a custom station for ships coming from Black Sea. It was then a wooden tower protected by a stone wall. From the tower an iron chain stretched out to the European shore. 

The tower was destroyed during the earthquake of 1509 (underwater remains are still visible), and burned in 1721. The surrounding walls were repaired in 1700s. Since then it was used as a lighthouse. In 1832 the tower was restored again by Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II.

Now, the interior of the tower has been transformed into a popular café and restaurant, with an excellent view of the former Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman capital. Private boats make trips to the tower several times a day.

---

There are many legends about the construction of the tower and its location. According to the most popular Turkish legend, a sultan had a much beloved daughter. One day, an oracle prophesied that she would be killed by a venomous snake on her 18th birthday. The sultan, in an effort to thwart his daughter's early demise by placing her away from land so as to keep her away from any snakes, had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus to protect his daughter until her 18th birthday. The princess was placed in the tower, where she was frequently visited only by her father.

On the 18th birthday of the princess, the sultan brought her a basket of exotic sumptuous fruits as a birthday gift, delighted that he was able to prevent the prophecy. Upon reaching into the basket, however, an asp that had been hiding among the fruit bit the young princess and she died in her father's arms, just as the oracle had predicted. Hence the name Maiden's Tower.

Taken in: Turkey / İstanbul / İstanbul / Ayazma (show map)

Taken on: July 22, 2012

Tags:

Maiden's Tower

Kız Kulesi

Leanderturm

Torre di Leandro

Meisjestoren

Qız qalası

Maagdetoring

Ottoman Style

Osmanlı

Byzantine

Bizans

Üsküdar

Güneş

Sun

Stamboul

Stambul

Islambol

Islambul

türkei

turchia

turkey

türkiye

Reflection

Yansıma

Işık

Light

Bosphorus

Boğaz

Sea

Deniz

Strait

Bosporus

Bósforo

Bosphore

Βόσπορος

Босфор

博斯普鲁斯海峡

ボスフォラス海峡

海

mer

θάλασσα

mar

mare

море

بحر

Meer

Sonne

太阳

soleil

sol

sole

太陽

ήλιος

солнце

Tower

Torri

Torre

Tour

Türme

πύργος

башня

タワー

塔

Turm

Me2YouPhotographyLevel1

istanbulfreephotography « less

Sets appears in: • Best of Turkey • Best of Istanbul more » • Best of Landscape « less

Groups appears in: • Black and White • Turkey / Türkiye more » • Sunrise, Sunset -- Anything Sun! • Magic Moments • !Catchy Colors • İstanbul • Water... Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, Creeks • Young Photographers • Palaces, Castles, Towers, Pagodas, Fortresses And Ruins of Old • European Travel • visit the world - the travel guide • Historical places • Travel Photography • Istanbul • dream or reality? • Nikon Coolpix Users (formerly Addicts) Group • FlickrToday (only 1 pic per day) • Medieval architecture and art • Shoot into the Light!!! • Turkish photographers • UniqueTouch - ( A Step Up From The Ordinary! ) • istanbulium • Old Buildings & More..... • Turkey | I dream of Turkey • Dramatic Color - Bold, Bright, Intense! • "A" Class (comment 2) Pls, Comment immediately. • Architecture Travellers • Voyageurs du monde: Sweeper active ( Post 1 Comment 2). • You Think this is Art • Beautiful Capture • We travel the World • EXPLORE TURKEY ( Lütfen AÇIKLAMA'yı okuyunuz...!!! ) • " FLICKR Stars :: COMMENT OR BAN :: post 1 award 6: • ANTICANDO!!!(P2/Aw3)Please,only Subject ANCIENT • "History & Antiquities (Post 5 - Award 3)" • "Los mejores momentos de tu día" • The World of Travel • Historical and architectural gems • SÓLO AMANECER-ATARDECER • Architectural Beauty ! • !*Flickr Award Group*! (GIVE 5 AWARDS) • **Heart Awards** (P.1 Award 5) Open - Sweeper present • EARTH - Through Your Eyes • Istanbul, Turkey • FLICKR EL MÁGICO MUNDO DE LA FOTOGRAFÍA★ ;-)) • WONDERFUL WORLD OF BUILDINGS / ARCHITECTURE (P1 / A1 ) • Super Photographer (Post1 -Award 5) • Mirror Reflections (Post 1 - Comment 1) • ! *No hay camino para la paz, la paz es el camino! • Fine Gold • Best Shot of the Day (1 post - 3 awards to give) • Istanbul Free Photography • Me 2 You Photography Level 1 * P1/A5 * Sweeper is Active NOW ! • Osmanlı Tarzı / Ottoman Style « less

Camera: NIKON COOLPIX P80, f/8.0, 1/2000 sec, 4.7mm, ISO 64 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	NIKON COOLPIX P80
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/2000)
Focal Length:	4.7mm
ISO:	64
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Partial
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Fine Weather
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 Macintosh
Show full info

Stats: 8,995 views / 52 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: