Built on a small rocky island in the middle of the sea near Uskudar, where the Marmara Sea meets the Bosphorus, the Kiz Kulesi (Maiden's Tower, also called Leander's Tower) has been used for a variety of purposes since its first construction. First, this small island was used to control the navy traffic and as a custom's office in 411 B.C.. In the 12th century, the Byzantines used it to project the Bosphorus and they built a defence tower on the island. Although the Ottoman Empire continued to use it for the same reason after the conquest of Istanbul, Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror replaced the old tower with a new one.

During the golden years of the Ottoman Empire, the tower was used as a lighthouse, and, on special occasions, was used to salute the guests of the Sultans with gun shots.

The tower was completely destroyed by a fire in 1716. The Prime Minister Nevsehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha built today's tower in 1725-25, through in 1943 its wooden walls were replaced by concrete.

With its white color and its sliced Baroque dome with a flagstaff on top of the dome, it's a very striking spectacle.

It has become a symbol of Istanbul, and is one of the first things which comes to one's mind about this city and has been the subject of many paintings and pictures. It has recently been renovated and will soon be opened for sightseeing.

Labels: Buildings, Towers

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