Leander's
Tower
This
ancient tower stands on a rocky outcrop at the entrance to the Bosphorus Sea. It is presently used as a
Lighthouse.
The
original tower was built in the 12th century by the Byzantine Emperor, Manuel
Comnenos (1143-1180), who aimed to find a firm foundation for the chain which
was used to close off the Bosphorus to sea traffic.
There
are countless legends about the tower. The best-known of which is that of
Constantine's daughter, said to be extremely beautiful. According to the legend,
a fortuneteller told the emperor that his daughter would be bitten by a snake
and die. The emperor built a tower in the sea and shut up his daughter in it to
save her. One day a snake, hidden in a basket of grapes which had been sent to
the princess, bit her and she died. The prophecy came true.
Leander's
Tower - Today
