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The Maidens Tower is located in skdar.The Maidens Tower is located in skdar.Its height is approximately 23m. It is notIts height is approximately 23m. It is not

known as to when the Maidens Tower wasknown as to when the Maidens Tower wasbuilt, but some sources think to be frombuilt, but some sources think to be fromaround 340 BC.around 340 BC.

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Previous names of the Maidens Tower werePrevious names of the Maidens Tower wereDamalis and Leandros. Damalis is the name of theDamalis and Leandros. Damalis is the name of the

wife of the king of Athens,Kharis. It was alsowife of the king of Athens,Kharis. It was alsoknown during Byzantine times as arcla whichknown during Byzantine times as arcla whichmeans a little castle.means a little castle.

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After Istanbul was taken by the Ottoman Turks, theAfter Istanbul was taken by the Ottoman Turks, thetower was pulled down and a wooden tower wastower was pulled down and a wooden tower was

built in its place. The wooden tower was destroyed bybuilt in its place. The wooden tower was destroyed bya fire in 1719. It was rebuilt from stone oncea fire in 1719. It was rebuilt from stone once againagainby Nevehirli Damat brahimPaa.by Nevehirli Damat brahimPaa.

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The Maidens Tower has been used for many differentThe Maidens Tower has been used for many differentpurposes over time. It was a defense tower, a lighthouse.purposes over time. It was a defense tower, a lighthouse.

During the cholera epidemic in 1830, it was used as aDuring the cholera epidemic in 1830, it was used as aquarantine hospital andquarantine hospital and radio station. The tower wasradio station. The tower washanded over to the Ministry of Defence in 1964 and then tohanded over to the Ministry of Defence in 1964 and then toMaritime Enterprises in 1982. It has undergone renovations.Maritime Enterprises in 1982. It has undergone renovations.Presently functions as a restaurant open to the public ownedPresently functions as a restaurant open to the public owned

by a private companyby a private company

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The legends of theThe legends of the

Maidens TowerMaidens TowerThe Legend of LeandrosThe Legend of LeandrosAccording to this legend , a young man named LeandrosAccording to this legend , a young man named Leandrosfalls in love with a nun named Hero. However, as a nun,falls in love with a nun named Hero. However, as a nun,

falling in love with someone is taboo for Hero. Herofalling in love with someone is taboo for Hero. Herolives in the Maidens Tower.lives in the Maidens Tower.

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Every night, Hero builds a fire in the tower so thatEvery night, Hero builds a fire in the tower so thatLeandros may find his way to her by swimming to theLeandros may find his way to her by swimming to the

tower. Thats why they meet every night. One night,thetower. Thats why they meet every night. One night,thefire started by Hero.But its put out by a storm.So thatfire started by Hero.But its put out by a storm.So thatnight, Leandros loses his own way in the cold waters ofnight, Leandros loses his own way in the cold waters ofthe Bosphorus and dies. When Hero hears of whatthe Bosphorus and dies. When Hero hears of what

happened to Leandros, she suffer and commits suicide.happened to Leandros, she suffer and commits suicide.

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Princess LegendPrincess Legend

Once upon a time, the King hears that his daughter will dieOnce upon a time, the King hears that his daughter will dieas a result of a snakebite.Thats why the King has a castleas a result of a snakebite.Thats why the King has a castlebuilt in the sea in order to protect his daughter.After a longbuilt in the sea in order to protect his daughter.After a longtime the girl grows up in the castle. However, the predictiontime the girl grows up in the castle. However, the predictionbecomes true as a snake hiding a fruit basket carried to thebecomes true as a snake hiding a fruit basket carried to theprincess bites and kills her.princess bites and kills her.

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The Battalgazi LegendThe Battalgazi LegendA man named Battalgazi falls in love with the daughter of aA man named Battalgazi falls in love with the daughter of aChristian who the prince of town. However, he doesnt allowChristian who the prince of town. However, he doesnt allowhis daughter to married Battalgazi and to protect her placeshis daughter to married Battalgazi and to protect her placesher in the tower.her in the tower.

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Battalgazi attacks the tower and take the girl. He mountsBattalgazi attacks the tower and take the girl. He mountshis horse with the girl and rides away very quickly. There ishis horse with the girl and rides away very quickly. There isan expression, He who takes the horse got by skdaran expression, He who takes the horse got by skdarwhich comes from this legend.which comes from this legend.

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Thank youThank you for listeningfor listening

PREPARED BY:PREPARED BY:

MER ALIKANMER ALIKAN

NUMBER:NUMBER:

539539