Maiden's Tower
The Maiden's Tower was built by the Greeks in the 5th century BC, near the Üsküdar Salacak coast of the Bosphorus. It is the only architectural work from the Roman Empire in Üsküdar. It has been used for different purposes throughout history and many rumors have been produced about it. Now let's take a look at its history first and then its legends.
Based on his research, Haldun Hürel states that the word sala is used in the sense of village. Salacak, on the other hand, is derived from salacık, which means small village - cute village. So probably this was a small village in the past. The Maiden's Tower was mostly reached from this village, just like today.
Rocks in Antiquity
Historians based on official sources state that the Maiden's Tower was mentioned for the first time in 400 BC. As far as is known, it was established as a customs point for maritime trade. Kuran is an Athenian commander. Athens was an important and dominant Greek city-state at that time. It is a known fact that for centuries this small rock has fulfilled the task assigned to it. There is also a related legend, which I will explain below.
It is worth noting that the Maiden's Tower is the work of Istanbul, about which there are many rumors and rumors, but the least certain information is available. I mention this because there are historians who claim that this place was built as a breakwater. Of course, the most accepted information is the first narrative I wrote above.
Maiden's Tower in the Roman Period
Centuries later, after Byzantion became Constantinople, the first tower was erected here. According to Roman historians, the person who built this first tower was Emperor Manuel Komnenos (1143 – 1180), from the Komnenos dynasty, an important dynasty in Roman history. In some sources, the construction date of the tower is called 1110, but this coincides with the period of Alexios Komnenos, and historians describing his period do not mention the Maiden's Tower at all.
There were two reasons why Emperor Manuel had this tower built: to control the Bosphorus and to collect taxes from commercial ships. To support this, it is written that a thick chain was pulled between the tower and the European coast, and dozens of rafts were used to prevent the chain from sinking. In one narrative, it is said that the first tower, despite all efforts, could not bear the weight of the chain and collapsed.
I said for the purpose of controlling the throat, but let me remind you here; The Maiden's Tower did not play an important role during the conquest of Istanbul. It was fortified with only a small unit under the command of a Venetian commander. Because the Roman finances, which had deteriorated in the last few centuries, caused the tower to lose importance. For this reason, that famous chain was taken to the Golden Horn in 1453.
During the Roman period, the tower was used as a place of exile and isolation from time to time, just as it would be in the Ottomans. The Romans living in the city told many stories about the tower and derived legends. They even gave names to the tower according to these stories from time to time. I will address these below.
Maiden's Tower in the Ottoman Empire
The Ottomans owned the Maiden's Tower together with the title of empire. That is, as he approaches the peak of his power! Therefore, neither Fatih Sultan Mehmet Khan nor the other sultans, who conquered the city, used it for defense purposes. There was no need for Rumeli and Anatolian Fortresses anyway.
Historians of the Fatih period write that a new tower was built here by the order of the sultan. I don't know for sure what it was used for. Probably should have served as a customs tower again. This tower was damaged in the earthquake of 1509, which I remind from time to time in my other articles and which the people of Istanbul call the Little Apocalypse. It was repaired by Hayrettin, the famous architect of the period, who also repaired many works. About 200 years later, it began to be used as a lantern. The oil lamp used in this expedition caught fire and burned. The new tower built in its place was built as masonry.
The Maiden's Tower was also used for cannon shooting in various religious and diplomatic ceremonies. Some Sultans used this place as a viewing area or a resting area. According to a story, Sultan Abdulhamid I almost woke up here with the sounds of wind and waves. On the other hand, Mahmut I had a Darüssade agha executed in the Maiden's Tower, who allegedly took a bribe.
The most interesting task of the Maiden's Tower, in my opinion, was that it was used for the isolation of patients during a plague epidemic that spread in Istanbul in the 19th century.
Republic and Maiden's Tower
Just before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the tower began to be used as a lighthouse again. The ground was solidified in the 1940s. It served as a military radar station in the early 1980s. It is currently operated by a private company as a viewing venue and restaurant.
Based on his research, Haldun Hürel states that the word sala is used in the sense of village. Salacak, on the other hand, is derived from salacık, which means small village - cute village. So probably this was a small village in the past. The Maiden's Tower was mostly reached from this village, just like today.
Rocks in Antiquity
Historians based on official sources state that the Maiden's Tower was mentioned for the first time in 400 BC. As far as is known, it was established as a customs point for maritime trade. Kuran is an Athenian commander. Athens was an important and dominant Greek city-state at that time. It is a known fact that for centuries this small rock has fulfilled the task assigned to it. There is also a related legend, which I will explain below.
It is worth noting that the Maiden's Tower is the work of Istanbul, about which there are many rumors and rumors, but the least certain information is available. I mention this because there are historians who claim that this place was built as a breakwater. Of course, the most accepted information is the first narrative I wrote above.
Maiden's Tower in the Roman Period
Centuries later, after Byzantion became Constantinople, the first tower was erected here. According to Roman historians, the person who built this first tower was Emperor Manuel Komnenos (1143 – 1180), from the Komnenos dynasty, an important dynasty in Roman history. In some sources, the construction date of the tower is called 1110, but this coincides with the period of Alexios Komnenos, and historians describing his period do not mention the Maiden's Tower at all.
There were two reasons why Emperor Manuel had this tower built: to control the Bosphorus and to collect taxes from commercial ships. To support this, it is written that a thick chain was pulled between the tower and the European coast, and dozens of rafts were used to prevent the chain from sinking. In one narrative, it is said that the first tower, despite all efforts, could not bear the weight of the chain and collapsed.
I said for the purpose of controlling the throat, but let me remind you here; The Maiden's Tower did not play an important role during the conquest of Istanbul. It was fortified with only a small unit under the command of a Venetian commander. Because the Roman finances, which had deteriorated in the last few centuries, caused the tower to lose importance. For this reason, that famous chain was taken to the Golden Horn in 1453.
During the Roman period, the tower was used as a place of exile and isolation from time to time, just as it would be in the Ottomans. The Romans living in the city told many stories about the tower and derived legends. They even gave names to the tower according to these stories from time to time. I will address these below.
Maiden's Tower in the Ottoman Empire
The Ottomans owned the Maiden's Tower together with the title of empire. That is, as he approaches the peak of his power! Therefore, neither Fatih Sultan Mehmet Khan nor the other sultans, who conquered the city, used it for defense purposes. There was no need for Rumeli and Anatolian Fortresses anyway.
Historians of the Fatih period write that a new tower was built here by the order of the sultan. I don't know for sure what it was used for. Probably should have served as a customs tower again. This tower was damaged in the earthquake of 1509, which I remind from time to time in my other articles and which the people of Istanbul call the Little Apocalypse. It was repaired by Hayrettin, the famous architect of the period, who also repaired many works. About 200 years later, it began to be used as a lantern. The oil lamp used in this expedition caught fire and burned. The new tower built in its place was built as masonry.
The Maiden's Tower was also used for cannon shooting in various religious and diplomatic ceremonies. Some Sultans used this place as a viewing area or a resting area. According to a story, Sultan Abdulhamid I almost woke up here with the sounds of wind and waves. On the other hand, Mahmut I had a Darüssade agha executed in the Maiden's Tower, who allegedly took a bribe.
The most interesting task of the Maiden's Tower, in my opinion, was that it was used for the isolation of patients during a plague epidemic that spread in Istanbul in the 19th century.
Republic and Maiden's Tower
Just before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the tower began to be used as a lighthouse again. The ground was solidified in the 1940s. It served as a military radar station in the early 1980s. It is currently operated by a private company as a viewing venue and restaurant.
