İstanbul · Üsküdar · Turkey

Kız Kulesi

Maiden's Tower

ViewpointHistoric photo spotgoogle verified

~45 min

easy

8/10

best: sunset

romantic

A local would say...

Legend: a princess imprisoned here to escape a prophecy of death by snakebite — the snake came in a basket of grapes. Scognamillo traces this myth to 12th century and notes it mirrors the Greek myth of Hero and Leander.

Rising from a tiny island 200 metres off the Üsküdar shore, this squat tower is one of Istanbul's most romantic silhouettes — especially at sunset when it's lit against the darkening Asian skyline. Legend says a princess was imprisoned here to escape a prophecy of death by snakebite. The 18th-century structure has served as a lighthouse, a quarantine station, and a James Bond backdrop. Small boats run from Salacak.