LEANDER’S TOWER (Maiden’s Tower)
Leander's Tower (Maiden's Tower)
Built at the entrance to the Bosphorus during the ruling of Ahmed III, Leander Tower is a beautiful and unique site located on a small islet in the city. Also known as Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi), it happens to be one of the romantic symbols of the city of Istanbul. Its construction dates back to 12th century. However, the building which we see today was constructed in 18th century.
It can be seen quite clearly from many famous places of Istanbul including Dolmabahce Palace, Topkapi Palace and Ortakoy district. It is a landmark for all the ships coming to the Bosphorus.
There is a famous Turkish legend associated with this tower according to which a father locked his daughter, a princess, in the tower because of a prophecy. The prophecy was that his daughter was likely to die due to a snake bite. So, in order to save his daughter’s life, the father locked her in this tower which is now known as the Maiden’s Tower. However, as the fate would have it, the tragedy does take place and the princess is bitten by a snake hidden in a fruit basket and she dies.
The place which was a lighthouse, a fort, a prison and a watchtower during the Byzantine Era has another myth attached to it. The incident took place in the city of Abydos. According to this legend, Leander wanted to save the Hero, his lover, and thus tried to swim to reach his lover.
According to yet another story named Manuel Commene, a Byzantine emperor was furious when he learnt about his daughter’s affair. So, he ordered this tower to be built and imprisoned the girl in it. Hence, the name the Leander Tower.
During the 12th century, a small fort was built by the emperor Manuel Comnenus right at the place where the Leander Tower is located now days. This tower is a major tourist attraction and functions as a small museum of Bosphorus, a gift shop, a terrace, a restaurant and a coffee house.
After the city of Istanbul was conquered by the Turks, the tower was in a damaged state. So, the Turks felt the need to get it repaired at the earliest. However, a few years later, this wooden tower, while serving as a light house, got burnt and ruined. During the ruling of Sultan Ahmed III, Nevsehirli Damat Ibrahim Pacha, an assistant of the emperor, built a stone tower in 1719.
As mentioned earlier, Kiz Kulesi (The Leander’s Tower) also served as a prison during the Ottoman era. The tower was, however, left unused for a while. A Turkish Marinary Bank, Denizcilik Bank, took upon the work of restoration of this tower and it then served as Observation Radar Station and lighthouse.
Laenders (Maidens) Tower Blue Mosque Hagia Sophia Istanbul Turkey
Underground Cistern (Basilica Cistern or Sunken Palace , Yerebatan Sarayi)
Underground Cistern, also known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman Era, is believed to have been constructed in 532 A.D. This cistern once used to provide water to the entire city of Istanbul. However, after the city was conquered by the Ottomans, this cistern was a forgotten past. It was only in 1545 when this cistern was re-discovered and used for providing water to the Topkapi Palace gardens.
Basilica Cistern (Sunken Palace)
Originally built by Constantine the Great, this underground water tank was enlarged in the 6th century by Justinian I. The cistern with a depth of 8 m. and dimensions of 70*140 m. is considered to be the last cistern built by Justinian I following the Nika Revolt in 532 A. D. during the Byzantium period. It has 336 columns in 12 rows
While visiting this beautiful place, you cannot miss to see the two heads of Medusa taken from some ancient pagan site and put upside down. While one head is inverted, the other is on its side. The position in which the heads of Medusa are placed affirms the fact that the people who put these heads here were Christians.
Some of the other names of this cistern are Sunken Palace and Yerebatan Sarayi. The cistern was restored again and cleaned during 1985-1988 by the Municipality of Istanbul. A wooden walkway is another addition to this cistern by the Municipality. Wooden planks laid down along the decorative columns in the cistern help the visitors to walk and enjoy the beauty of this place.
Now days, this cistern is a large chamber with a number of pillars to provide support. With addition of numerous artificial lights blinking rhythmically with piped in music and several walkways is one of the major tourist attractions in the city of Istanbul. Due to its magical and soul stirring ambience, the cistern is also being used as a venue for holding a number of Classical Music Concerts.
It is a beautiful and an interesting place to be included in your list of places to be visited in Istanbul. It is a cool and refreshing respite from the hot and humid weather outside during summers in Istanbul. Located just next to the famous Hagia Sofia, this Underground Cistern is best to be visited during the weekdays when there is less rush of visitors so that you can enjoy the magical atmosphere of this place.
You can visit the Yerebatan Cistern on all days from between 9 am to 5 pm except on Tuesdays when it is closed for visitors. You need to pay an entry fee of about $7 to $8 per person which is worth spending on visiting such a magical place.
The Church of St. Irene (Hagia Irene or Hagia Eirene)
The Church of St. Irene (Hagia Irene or Hagia Eirene), meaning ‘Holy Peace’, is located in the courtyard of Topkapi Palace in the city of Istanbul in Turkey. It is regarded as the first ever church built in the city of Constantinople (now Istanbul). The Hagia Irene church was commissioned by Constantine I in 330 (during the 4th century). As per the historical records, the First Council of Constantinople is believed to have been taken place in this church between May to July, 381.
St. Irene (Hagia Irine or Hagia Eirine or Aya Irini)
St. Irene is regarded to be one of the most ancient and the largest churches of Byzantine period with the only exception of Hagia Sofia. It took its name as St. Irene Church from a saint of the times that was working wholeheartedly towards spreading Christianity. The saint had to face the wrath of dirty minded pagans who left no efforts to end the life of this saint. They tried to kill him by throwing him in a well of snakes. Also, they pelted stones and dragged him.
However, Irene survived all these life threatening efforts of the pagans. So, when they saw the supernatural powers of this saint, the pagans became Christians and hence, Irene was a saint for all. The church was named after the Saint Irene by Constantine the Great.
Originally built from wood, the church of Hagia Irene was devastated in a major fire during the bloody Nike revolt that took place in 532. However, the church still survived and the restoration work of this church was undertaken in 548 by Justinian the Great who also restored the church of Hagia Sofia. Meanwhile, the church of St. Irene suffered damages resulting from natural calamities including an earthquake in 8th century and fires, but it was renovated after every such damage.
Constantine V took upon the restoration work of this church and decorated the interiors of this historical building with beautiful mosaics. The church still has the original atrium dating back to the Byzantine period. The work of enlarging the church was undertaken in the 11th and 12th centuries.
The church is built in the form of a Roman basilica, with two aisles and a nave. There are twenty windows in it. Apart from the main space, the church has galleries, a narthex and an atrium. The church is 100 m by 32 m while its dome is 15m by 35 m.
In 1453, following the win of Constantinople by Mehmed II, outer walls were constructed around this church within the Topkapi Palace. The church was used as a warehouse for storing war booty and also as an armory by the Janissaries. Later, under the ruling of Sultan Ahmet III (1703-1730,), it was used as a museum of weapons.