Maiden's Tower is surrounded by many myths, legends, and stories. Some
Maiden's Tower myths are linked to different periods in the
tower's history, while other Maiden's Tower legends come
from tales that have been passed down and transformed over time.
In this guide, you can discover the four best-known
Maiden's Tower stories and learn the legends behind this
iconic Istanbul landmark before your visit.
The King and His Daughter
The best-known legend told about Maiden's Tower is the story of a king and
his daughter. After a fortune teller warned the king that his daughter would
die from a snake bite, he built a tower on the rocks off the coast of
Salacak and placed his daughter there to protect her. The king regularly sent baskets of food to his daughter. One day, however,
a snake hidden inside a fruit basket reached the tower and bit the princess,
causing her death despite all her father's efforts to protect her.
Battal Gazi
Another legend associated with Maiden's Tower is the story of
Battal Gazi. According to the tale, the local ruler placed
his daughter and treasures in the tower to protect them from Battal Gazi,
believing that the waters of the Bosphorus would keep them safe. Battal Gazi eventually reached the tower by boat, took the ruler's daughter
and the treasures, and returned to the shore. He then mounted his horse and
left Üsküdar, a story traditionally associated with the well-known Turkish
saying, “Atı alan Üsküdar'ı geçti.”
Discover Maiden's Tower Beyond the Stories
Learn about entrance details, visitor information and what to expect before your visit.
View Maiden's Tower Guide
Hero and Leander
One of the most romantic legends associated with Maiden's Tower is the story
of Hero and Leander. According to the tale, Hero lived in a
tower by the water, while Leander lived on the opposite shore and swam
across the strait every night to meet her. Hero lit a lamp at the tower to guide Leander through the darkness. One
stormy night, the wind extinguished the light and Leander lost his way in
the rough waters and drowned. When Hero learned of his death, she was
overcome with grief and ended her own life.
The Love of Maiden's Tower and Galata Tower
Another popular story tells of the love between
Maiden's Tower and Galata Tower. According to the legend,
the two towers had admired each other from opposite sides of Istanbul for
centuries, but the Bosphorus between them prevented them from ever coming
together. Galata Tower is said to have written letters expressing its love for
Maiden's Tower. When Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi began his
legendary flight from Galata Tower toward Üsküdar, he carried these letters
across the Bosphorus and delivered them to Maiden's Tower, finally revealing
Galata Tower's feelings.
Source
The legends featured in this article are based on the stories presented on
the official Maiden's Tower website of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of
Culture and Tourism.
Official Source:
Maiden's Tower Legends – Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism