Historians have different opinions about the original function of the tower, some think it was used as a lighthouse for ships, others think it was a mausoleum. However, later, it was part of the city’s defense system and was even used for a material storage.

Today the tower is not open to the public, but is sometimes used for cultural and artistic activities.

The tower is situated at the southern side of the place, where the land walls of the city join the sea walls. The 14-metre-high (46 ft) structure consists of a circular tower rising on a quadratic pedestal.

The tower’s gate at the eastern side leads to a small room, from where a narrow staircase goes up. There are signs of restoration work on the upper part done in the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.

Its current name, Hıdırlık (literally “a place of Khidr”) means a place where the Hıdırellez festival takes place. Hıdırellez is a spring festival. In some Muslim cultures, it is believed that Khidr and Elijah meet once each year. During this time, a spring festival, Hıdırellez takes place. Hıdırlıks are particularly chosen for Hıdırellez ceremonies. There are many Hıdırlıks in Turkey.