Places to Visit in Uskudar

• Uskudar

Uskudar, which has embraced many people for centuries, came under Turkish rule almost a century and a half before the conquest of Istanbul and has been known as the "holy land" ever since.

According to the researches, the settlement history of Uskudar goes back to ancient times.

Uskudar, which was known by various names in this process, was known as;

"Khrisopolis" in Ancient Times

"Chrysopolis" during the Persian period

"Scutari" in Roman times

"Skudarium" in the Byzantine period

"Askadar" in Persian

It was expressed as "Old Dar" by Evliya Celebi.

During the Ottoman and Republican periods, it took its name as Uskudar.

Uskudar has always been a center of attraction due to its location at the opening point of the Bosphorus, which provides ease of transportation between Asia and Europe.

However, throughout history, Uskudar has been subjected to many invasions and different dominations.

Looking at its history, it is known that Uskudar, which dates back to 1000 BC, was formed by the establishment of two port cities by the Phoenicians in the early period.

It has been under the influence of different civilizations from Persian rule to the Roman period, from the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman Empire.

During the Ottoman period, Uskudar developed rapidly and  hosted many historical monuments such as mosques, masjids, lodges, baths, and caravanserais.

After the conquest of Istanbul on May 29, 1453, the development of Uskudar gained momentum and the city texture emerged.

It is known that the Ottomans gave special importance to Uskudar and gave the city a privileged position.

This situation also manifested itself in social life, and Uskudar was considered a Kaaba land for Muslim residents and the Jerusalem land of the Kuzguncuk region for Jews.

There have been many firsts in the history of Uskudar.

For example, the first postal route opened during the reign of Mahmud II was on the route from Uskudar to Kartal,

Some of these important firsts are the opening of the first car ferry in Uskudar and the establishment of the Ottoman Painters Society in Uskudar.

Uskudar, which is famous for its Byzantine Maiden's Tower even today, continues to be a dazzling city with its mansions, wooden houses, mosques, churches and synagogue with its development during the Ottoman period.

Places to Visit in Uskudar

• Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi Palace is a historical palace located in Istanbul.

The palace is located on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, in the Beylerbeyi district of the Uskudar district.

Beylerbeyi Palace was built in the second half of the 19th century during the reign of Sultan Abdulmecid of the Ottoman Empire.

The construction of the palace began in 1861 and was completed in 1865.

Beylerbeyi Palace was completed and used during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz, the son of Sultan Abdulmecid.

The palace was a summer palace used to host high-level visitors and official guests in the late Ottoman Empire.

Beylerbeyi Palace is open to the public as a museum today due to its historical and architectural importance.

The rooms, decorations and furniture inside the palace exhibit beautiful examples of the rich Ottoman architecture and decoration of the period.

In addition, the garden of the palace offers beautiful views and offers a pleasant atmosphere to visitors.

Beylerbeyi Palace is known as one of Istanbul's tourist attractions and is seen as an important historical and cultural site for visitors.

The palace offers an impression of the late Ottoman Empire and is an interesting stopping point for those who want to explore the historical and cultural riches of Istanbul.

• Camlica Hill

Camlica Hill is an important point with a magnificent view, located between the Anatolian and European sides of Istanbul.

Dominating the stunning view of the Bosphorus, the hill has become a popular tourist destination among locals and visitors to the city.

There are two different peaks on the hill: Big Camlica "Big Camlica Hill" and Small Camlica Hill "Small Camlica Hill".

Big Camlica Hill is the wider and higher one, and the Big Camlica Mosque is located here.  

In addition, there are many picnic areas and recreational facilities in this area, which is surrounded by green areas.

From the top of the hill, you can watch the unique view of the Bosphorus.

Big Camlica Hill attracts attention not only with its view, but also with its resting areas and picnic areas.

Small Camlica Hill is usually located here for rest, recreation and Camlica Tower.  

It includes many cafes and restaurants that offer beautiful views of Istanbul.

This area is a special attraction point especially for those who want to watch the sunset or sunrise and for photographers.

Camlica Hill is also home to a large mosque called "Camlica Mosque".

The mosque is one of the largest mosques in Istanbul and is an important religious center that is used not only for visitors but also for worship purposes.

Camlica Hill is one of the important attractions of Istanbul with its natural beauties, recreational opportunities, historical and religious riches.

• Big Camlica Mosque

Big Camlica Mosque was opened for worship on May 3, 2019 and is a work that combines Ottoman and Seljuk architectural styles with today's lines. 

The mosque, which has become one of the symbols of the city, stands out as a mosque and complex.

It also includes an art gallery, traditional art workshops, a library, a conference hall and a large underground car park.  

Within the mosque complex, there is also the Museum of Islamic Civilizations, which is built on an area of 11 thousand square meters.

Big Camlica Mosque has a height of 107.1 meters with its 4 minarets with three balconies, dedicated to the Manzikert Victory.

In addition, its 2 minarets with two balconies are 90 meters high.

The main dome of the mosque is 72 meters high and this dome represents the 72 nations living in Turkey.

At the same time, the dome with a diameter of 34 meters symbolizes Istanbul.

On the main dome of the mosque, there is a realm that is the largest in the world, 3 meters 12 centimeters wide, 7 meters 77 centimeters high and weighs 4.5 tons.

This Alem, which is colored using nano technology and consists of three parts, is one of the features that make Big Camlica Mosque unique.

Big Camlica Mosque is not only a place where prayers are held, but also  draws attention as a complex with its elements.

It stands out as a culturally and religiously rich building with its architectural richness, art gallery, workshops, library and conference hall.

It attracts the attention of local and foreign visitors with its architectural details, art gallery and other cultural elements.

• Camlica Tower

Small  Camlica Television and Radio Tower is a radio and television transmitter tower located on Small Camlica Hill in Istanbul.

It has the distinction of being the tallest towers of Turkey and is located at a prominent point in Istanbul's skyline.

It is located on the north side of the Bosphorus, in the Camlica district of the Uskudar district.

Camlica Hill Radio Tower was founded in 2013, the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, by the Prime Minister of the time, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

It was completed and put into service in 2018.

The tower is a structure that can rise up to 369 meters, making it the tallest structure in Turkey.

The tower is used as a transmission center for radio and television transmitters.

Many television and radio channels broadcasting in Istanbul transmit their signals using the Camlica Hill Radio Tower.

At the same time, the tower provides wide coverage to the surrounding area.

The architectural design of the Camlica Hill Radio Tower reflects a modern and stylish appearance.

Due to its height and location, it is located at an important point in the panoramic view of Istanbul.

The tower has become one of the city's landmarks and has added a unique feature to the city skyline.

The Camlica Hill Radio Tower serves not only as a transmission tower but also as a tourist attraction.

It offers visitors the opportunity to observe the unique view of Istanbul.

By climbing the tower, a dominant view of the Bosphorus, the historical peninsula and large areas of the city can be obtained.

This is an activity that is especially preferred by tourists and city dwellers.

• Maiden's Tower

The Maiden's Tower is a historical and symbolic building located on the Bosphorus.

It is located on the coast of the Uskudar district of Istanbul, off the coast of Salacak.

The history of the Maiden's Tower is quite old and has been used for many purposes in different periods.

Some information about the Maiden's Tower

The history of the Maiden's Tower dates back to the 4th century BC.

It was called by many different names in ancient times.

While the name of Istanbul was "Leandros Tower" in the Byzantine period, it was named "Maiden's Tower" during the Ottoman period.

There are many legends told about the Maiden's Tower. 

The most famous legend is the story of Hero and Leandros.

Hero was a priestess who lived in the Maiden's Tower, and Leandros used to visit Hero by swimming from the opposite shore every night.

One night, however, he was drowned by a storm, and the legend thus reached a tragic end.

The Maiden's Tower has been used for different purposes throughout history.

There were periods when it was used for defensive purposes, and it was also used as a watchtower.

During the Ottoman period, it served as a quarantine hospital and lighthouse.

The Maiden's Tower has undergone various repairs and restorations over time.

One of the most important restorations was carried out in the 18th century during the reign of Ahmed III.

It was restored many times in the following years.

Today, the Maiden's Tower is considered one of the most recognizable tourist landmarks in Istanbul.

Visitors can tour the Maiden's Tower and it is famous for its restaurant.

It is also used for special events, weddings and special celebrations.

The Maiden's Tower is an important part of Istanbul's historical and cultural heritage and is known as an attractive venue for locals and tourists alike.

_{Let's continue our article with the beautiful words of the famous American Actor Richard Gere Uskudar.}

"Watching the Bosphorus on the shore of Uskudar fills you with peace. Time seems to be working in another dimension here." – Richard Gere

• Adile Sultan Pavilion

Sultan Abdulmecit wanted to make changes in the mansion he bought from Tophane Musiri Halil Mehmed Rifat Pasha in 1856 and allocate this place as a summer residence to his sister Adile Sultan.

However, this request was fulfilled by his brother Sultan Abdulaziz, who succeeded Sultan Abdulmecid to the throne.

In 1861, Sultan Abdulaziz built today's palace on the site of the mansion, which was in ruins despite its magnificent view.

It is known that Adile Sultan, who is known as the only female poet to have a divan in the Ottoman Dynasty, contributed to the reconstruction of Kandilli, helped the poor and was interested in education.  

Adile Sultan Palace was donated to the Ministry of National Education by Adile Sultan in 1899 to become a girls' school.

Today, a part of the Turkish comedy film "Hababam Classroom", adapted from the 1974 work by Turkish writer Rifat Ilgaz, was shot in Adile Sultan Palace, and later one of these classrooms is used as the "Hababam Class Museum".

In addition, the palace hosts various organizations such as weddings, graduations, meetings, and hotel accommodation.

• Tiled Mosque and Tiled Double Bath

The Tiled Mosque was built in 1640 by Murad Khan IV and Kosem Valide Sultan, the mother of Sultan Ibrahim, during the Ottoman Empire, by  a team led by Architect Kasım Aga within the Kulliye complex.

Although the mosque has a single minaret and a single dome, its square-shaped architecture exhibits a simple appearance.

However, the interior is decorated with carefully selected tiles; These tiles, which stretch between the floor and the ceiling, including the mihrab, offer rare examples of the last period of Turkish tile art.

This feature makes the mosque of great cultural importance.

Tiled Double Bath: It is known as the largest structure in the complex.

Both bath sections were designed in accordance with the Ottoman bath architecture, which is an important element that enriches the complex both functionally and aesthetically.

The Tiled Mosque and its double bath stand out as an important contribution to the architectural heritage of the Ottoman period.

• III. Ahmet Fountain & Uskudar Square Fountain

Built in 1728 by the order of Ahmet III, the Fountain of Ahmet III, also known as the Uskudar Square Fountain among the people, is located opposite the Uskudar Pier and right next to the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque.

The fountain adds a historical atmosphere and color unique to Uskudar and is described as one of the most beautiful fountains in Istanbul.

The fountain, which is made of marble, has the feature of a four-way square fountain and has pointed arched fountain niches on each face.

In the upper part of the fountain, there is a roof with wide eaves.

This building has become one of the favorite places of Uskudar with its architectural splendor and strategic location.

Uskudar Square Fountain is not only an aesthetic structure, but also represents a historical and cultural richness.

The value that Ahmet III added to the region by having this fountain built makes it worth seeing for both city residents and visitors.

• Sakirin Mosque

On May 7, 2009, the mosque, which was built by their children in memory of Semiha and İbrahim Şakir in Karacaahmet, Istanbul, was established on an area of 10,000 square meters.  

The single-domed building with a capacity of 500 people draws attention not only with its architectural design, but also with its interior decoration by interior architect Zeynep Fadillioglu.

While the Sakir brothers were buried in the Karacaahmet cemetery after the death of their parents, they thought that the existing mosque was insufficient and decided to rebuild this mosque in their memory.

The design of the mosque belongs to Husrev Tayla, but the interior decoration  was carried out by Zeynep Fadillioglu.

With this feature, it bears the title of being "the first mosque designed by a woman".

Sakir’in Mosque stands out among the most modern mosques in Turkey.

The exterior of the mosque is inspired by the aluminum Seljuk cast pattern, surrounded by glass on three sides and has two minarets, each 35 meters high.

The dome pulley and the calligraphy on it were written by calligrapher Imam Hüseyin Kutlu.

There are Surah Fatr on the main dome, Surah Mulk on the dome girdle, and plaques with the names of the Prophet Hz. Muhammad and other important Islamic figures on the sides.

The blue color of the dome is accentuated by the night light effect designed by Arnold Chan.

The pulpit layers of the mosque are decorated with different carnation leaves representing the universe.

The mihrab was inspired by the Seljuk Rumi pattern and turquoise colors.

Sakir’in Mosque stands out as an original and contemporary example of Turkish art both in terms of architecture and interior decoration.

• Mihrimah Sultan Mosque

The construction of the complex, which is considered to have been built by Suleiman the Magnificent in the name of his daughter Mihrimah Sultan, started in the early 1540s and was completed in 954 in 1547 according to the mosque inscription.

This enormous complex is one of the first important building groups built simultaneously with the Sehzade Complex after Mimar Sinan became the chief architect.

The complex includes various facilities such as mosque, madrasah, primary school, imaret-tabhâne, inn, waterways, fountain, reservoir and hall.

The structure expanded with two shrines and possibly a double bathhouse added over time.

However, as it is understood from the engravings, some buildings such as imaret-tabhâne, inn, pavilion and muvakkithâne disappeared in the following periods, while the double bath started to be used as a store during the restoration and lost its original features.  

The architectural details of the complex attract the attention of both local and foreign visitors. In particular, the mastery of Mimar Sinan and how impressively the architectural features of the period are combined in this building represent an important historical and cultural richness.

Mihrimah Sultan Complex is a monument of history that has survived to the present day as one of the leading works of Ottoman architecture and is admired by visitors.

• Akasya Shopping Center Shopping Mall

Since its opening in 2014, Akasya Shopping Center has continued to be the most attractive center of Istanbul with its globally recognized brands, social interaction opportunities, entertainment areas for children and transportation facilities.

Winning the ICSC European Shopping Centers Award in the "New Developments: Large" category in 2015, Akasya stands out with its environmentalist approach and sustainable building approach.

Akasya is the center of culture and art with Zuhal Music, the largest concept music store in Turkey and Europe, The Badau jazz club, Tamirane restaurant and Akasya Culture and Arts "AKS".  

KidZania, the world's first children's country, offers a fun and instructive environment for children in Akasya.

In addition, Akasya Retro Amusement Park has classic amusement park entertainment.

While your children can have fun safely in the entertainment center, you can relax and have a pleasant time in luxury cafes and restaurants.

• Emaar Square Mall

Emaar Square Mall, which has been serving in Istanbul since 2017, is the indispensable meeting point  of the city with its shopping, gastronomy and entertainment concepts.

Emaar Square is one of the largest mixed-use projects in Turkey.

Address Hotel Istanbul offers a privileged experience with its Emaar Skyview observation terrace, residences, residences and special services.

The Mall has the distinction of being the center of the city by organizing  various entertainment, music, art, cultural and fashion events.

While it hosts events such as concerts, talks, collection and design promotions, it also offers fun activities for children.

Indoor and outdoo shops provide a safe atmosphere and a free and spacious street atmosphere.

Emaar has a variety of entertainment facilities for children and adults.

Emaar Aquarium & Underwater Zoo offers visitors an exciting experience with activities such as Emaar Skyview observation deck, Museum of Illusion, The Jump, 4DX Movie theaters, VR ROOM, and PlayBowling.

^{Let's end our article on Places to Visit in Uskudar with the lyric composed by Muzaffer İlkar and Selahattin İcli, one of the beloved works of Muzaffer İlkar.}

On the way to Uskudar, it rained

My clerk's setre is long and her skirt is muddy.

The clerk has woken up from sleep, his eyes are dark,

The clerk is my me, I am the clerk's hand, what interferes

How well a pantol in the setrede suits my clerk

How well a starched shirt suits my clerk.

From Uskudar, you can easily reach Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on time.

Transportation Options: You can easily reach Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) by using public transportation options, Municipal Buses, Metro and Tram.

Before using these lines, you should check and select the appropriate timetables for your trip on the website.

Air transfer lines: You can reach Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) comfortably and effortlessly with your Airport Transfer reservations made on the Airtransferlines website.

With Airtransferlines, it provides a comfortable, unique Airport Transfer experience with the latest model luxury vehicles.

Click www.airtransferlines.com to take advantage of the advantages of Airtransferlines, to find the right vehicle and driver for you with a wide range of transfer options, to get information about your destination or to make a reservation.

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