Maiden's Tower

"The Maiden's Tower, also known as Leander's Tower (Tower of Leandros) since the Byzantine period, is a tower on a small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus strait, 200 meters (220 yards) from the coast of Üsküdar in Istanbul, Turkey. The tower has a long history, dating back to 408 BC when it was first built by the Athenian general Alcibiades as a custom station for ships coming from the Black Sea. It was later rebuilt and used as a defense tower by the Byzantine emperors. Over the centuries, the tower has served many purposes, including a lighthouse, a quarantine station, and a radio station. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and museum. The Maiden's Tower is famous for its legend of a princess who was locked away in the tower to protect her from a prophecy that she would die from the bite of a serpent. The legend goes that a basket of fruit was sent to the princess, but a serpent hid inside and bit her, fulfilling the prophecy."

"A well-known landmark of Istanbul visible from the sea is the Maiden’s Tower. Located on a small islet in the Bosphorus, it’s easy to spot while you ferry across the city. Its mysterious name is connected to quite a few legends. It houses a small museum and a top-floor restaurant. It can be a romantic option for dinner. Take a boat from the Üsküdar seaside and try to go before the sun sets."

"Part of the long history of Istanbul and the Bosphorus, the Maiden’s Tower lies on a small islet and once held one side of the enormous chain that prevented ships from entering the strategic and powerful waterway. "