The Maiden’s Tower, Kız Kulesi in Turkish, is one of Istanbul’s best-known symbols. It stands on a small island off Üsküdar and links the city’s history with numerous legends. The tower’s origins go back to antiquity. Over the centuries it served as a watchtower, lighthouse, customs station and signal post. Its present form dates mainly from the Ottoman period. The legend of the princess is particularly well known: according to a prophecy she would die from a snake bite. To protect her, her father had the tower built on an island. Yet the snake reached the princess in a basket of fruit and fate was fulfilled. Today the tower offers a unique view of the Old City, the Bosphorus and the Asian shore. At sunset in particular it is one of the most romantic places in the metropolis. After extensive restoration the tower is open to visitors again and combines history, architecture and panorama in a unique way.