Bakireler Anıtı Sculpture

Gazing at the Bakireler Anıtı, did you ever imagine it rising from the sea? This iconic sculpture, also known as the Maidens Monument, has a curious history intertwined with Istanbul’s ever-changing landscape. Originally constructed in 1953, the Bakireler Anıtı stood in the sea, about 50 meters off the shore of Süreyya Beach in Maltepe. The structure, a 3.5-meter diameter dome perched upon six columns, housed a statue of Venus at its center. The Bakireler Anıtı became a beloved symbol of Süreyya Beach, a place where, according to some accounts, young maidens visited, echoing rituals from ancient Greek mythology. Over time, land reclamation projects dramatically altered the coastline. By the 2010s, the sea had receded, leaving the Bakireler Anıtı stranded on dry land. Sadly, the statue of Venus disappeared sometime in the 1990s. In more recent years, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality relocated and restored the Bakireler Anıtı to a new location along Turgut Özal Boulevard in Maltepe. Now standing in Bakireler Anıtı Square, it’s surrounded by a landscaped area, a parking lot, and pedestrian walkways. This monument even inspired the architecture of the Türkan Saylan Cultural Center in Maltepe. The Bakireler Anıtı’s image is also featured prominently in the Maltepe Municipality logo, a testament to its enduring significance. From its watery beginnings to its current place on solid ground, the Bakireler Anıtı stands as a unique symbol of Maltepe, its history etched in stone against the backdrop of a city constantly evolving.