Craft

The Maiden’s Tower, which was called “Arkla” (small castle) and “Damialis” (young calf) in ancient times, is situated at the southern opening of the Bosphorus, close to where the strait opens into the Marmara Sea. It is constructed on a rocky islet off Salacak on the Asian shore. In the ancient Greek period there was a tomb on the island, and in the Byzantine period it was used as a customs post. In Ottoman times the tower was used as a fort, a place of exile, and a quarantine station. The tower was restored and opened to the public in the year 2000.