Ovidius Tower

Ovidius Tower, locally known as Ovidius or Ovid Kulesi, stands on a hill in the village of Uskumruköy, in the province of Istanbul in Turkey.

This rectangular tower, situated on a high hill, probably served as a watchtower and lighthouse for seafarers on the Black Sea. It was restored and consolidated some years ago.

Nothing is known about its history.

Some sources state it dates back to Roman times and that it derives its name from the supposed fact that the Roman poet Ovid (Latin name: Ovidius) passed or maybe even stayed here during his journey to the Roman town of Tomis (present-day Constanța in Romania) to which he had been exiled by the Roman Emperor Augustus.

Other sources state it actually dates back to the 12th to 14th century, so from the time of the Byzantine Empire, and that it was built by the Genoese who also had a castle in the nearby coastal town of Kilyos.

At present it is closed for visits and doesn't seem to have any usage. A nice tower.

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