According to historical evidence, the tower, which is thought to have been built in 410 BC, was built by the Athenian Commander Alcibiades. At that time, ships passing through the strait were used to control and collect taxes. Now this tower is museum. İstanbul Maiden’s Tower: A Symbol of Love and Mystery The Princess and the Snake According to this legend, a Byzantine emperor had a beautiful daughter who was prophesied to die from a snake bite on her 18th birthday. To protect her from this fate, the emperor built a tower in the middle of the sea and locked her inside. He hoped that no snake could reach her there. However, on her birthday, he brought her a basket of fruits as a gift. Unknown to him, a venomous snake was hiding inside the basket. When the princess reached for an apple, the snake bit her and she died in her father’s arms. Istanbul / Photography.