MAIDEN'S TOWER

In the 5th century BC, a customs point was established on the islet where the tower stands today, and a tower was built to inspect ships arriving from the Black Sea and collect taxes. In the 12th century, a defensive tower was built on the islet by the Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel I Komnenos. A chain was stretched between this tower and a tower near the Mangana Monastery at Sarayburnu (the section where the Sea Walls were restored) to control the entry and exit of ships to the Bosphorus. After the conquest, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror had a new fortress built here. He stationed a guard unit in the fortress. Every evening after the evening prayer and at dawn, the Janissary band began playing in the tower. It became a tradition to fire cannons from the Maiden's Tower during holidays and when sultans visited the coastal palaces upon their ascension to the throne.