Maiden's Tower | tower block, listed building / architectural heritage

 tower block, listed building / architectural heritage

www.kizkulesi.com.tr/en/collection/default.asp
The architectural structure of the Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi) dates back to 341 BC. This cape, which was an extension of the Bosphorous straits at the time (there are rumours that it was a peninsula before) used to be called "vus". At this date, after being a mausoleum built on marble columns for the wife of Commander Chares, a chain was pulled from its location at Sarayburnu to the island where the tower was located, in 410 BC, to make it a customs area controlling the entries and exits of the Bosphorous strait. At 1110 AD, the first apparent structure (tower) was built by the Emperor Manuel Comnenos.
This structure, which was built as a defence tower, was named Arcla, meaning "Small Tower". Although there is no clear information about this structure, it is believed to be close to its current dimensions. The tower, which was used for defence purposes during the conquest of İstanbul, was used for very different purposes after 1453. During the Ottoman period, it was used rather as a show platform, than a defence team and the Mehteran team cited the nevbet (a national anthem) accompanied by the canons placed on the island. The structure, which was damaged during the earthquake of 1509, was rebuilt later. Furthermore, it acted as a lighthouse with the lights that were added. The structure that was built then included a tower and a castle, and a cistern was built in it. The tower that burnt down with the fire from the light, in 1719, was repaired again in 1725 by the Head Architect of the city, Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Paşa. The tower section was changed a little, and a glass chalet was added to the top, and a lead dome was placed on it, and the building was built with wood. It was converted into a quarantine hospital in order for the cholera epidemic not to spread to the city in 1830. It was started to be used as a defence castle again with the decline of the Ottoman Empire, and it is equipped with canons. The epigraph bearing the signature of Sultan Mahmut the Second was placed on the marble above the gate, with the handwriting of the famous calligrapher Rakim. In 1857, a light is added again, and in 1920, an automatic system is introduced as the light of the lighthouse. It is thought of transferring this building to private sector as of 1992, and several institutions such as the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Üsküdar Municipality, Chamber of Architects, Şairler, Turing, Ulusoy Group of Companies, etc. develop various mediatic projects...

The Maiden's Tower is a tower located on a stone pile, at an arrow shooting distance from the Asian coast, at the intersection point of Asia and Europe. It is one of the unique structures throughout the world, between two continents.

This tower, which dates back to 2500 years ago, had a history identical to İstanbul's history, being an eyewitness to whatever the city has encountered. Its history started in the antiquity, and it existed throughout the Greek times to Byzantine Empire, and from Ottoman Empire until the present.


This island, which first hosted a burial chamber during the Greek Era, was used as a customs area with the additional building constructed during the Byzantium Era. It had assumed several functions from a show platform to a defence castle, from an exile area to a quarantine island. Its main duty was being a lighthouse, and through the centuries it has guided people during daytime, and the boats passing by during nighttime, with its ever-winking light. Kizkulesi guides from the past to the future, and above all, to dreams.

This tower, remembered with stories throughout centuries, opened its doors to public 2500 years later, after the restoration carried out by Hamoğlu Holding. Several poems have been written, several works of art have been painted, and thousands of photographs taken for this tower which is a symbol of loneliness, love, remoteness, and several other things. Come and take a look at those small windows to meet the enchanting atmosphere of the Maiden's Tower, which is 2500 years old, yet, young at any age, and to listen to its real story...