Üsküdar

Anatolian Charm 

If you want to escape the bustling European side of İstanbul, for appealing local neighbourhoods and a walk along the Bosphorus and let the fresh sea air cleanse your senses, with impressive views of the European split of the city and some impressive sights of landscape, faith, architecture, and culture then the indelible charm of Üsküdar will hit the spot. 

Sea Air and Sun and Tea 

Off the beaten track, the promenade along the Bosphorus offers an unbeatable view of İstanbul’s skyline at sunset. The minarets rise into the sky and the sun seems to sink into the Fatih district. As you walk along the choppy Bosphorus, you’ll see the local anglers and people picking out a spot for a little picnic by the water. The view of the serene Maiden Tower at sunset is the most popular activity in Üsküdar for locals and visitors to sit on the steps, chat over tea and enjoy the sea air and sun. 

In the heart of the shopping district, Üsküdar Balıkçılar Çarşısı is a bustling marketplace near the pier. Here you will find fish, dried fruits and vegetables, spices, bread, and much more. Vendors and customers enliven the fish market with their voices as they haggle.

Faith Old and New 

Back down to earth, there are many historical mosques in Üsküdar. The most famous of them are the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, built in 1548 by the architect Mimar Sinan for Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife, Hürrem Sultan, the Şemsi Pasha Mosque, erected in 1580, the Ayazma Mosque, which was commissioned by Sultan Mustafa III in 1760 for his mother, and the Atik Valide Mosque, which was built again by Mimar Sinan for the wife of Sultan Selim II in 1583.  

Sitting proudly on Çamlıca Hill and is the quintessential gem of the Üsküdar skyline, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque is the largest and most impressive mosque in Türkiye. A symbol of modern and traditional design which is reminiscent of the mosques of Ottoman and Seljuk architecture. 

The grand scale of the interiors has been designed to meet various needs, housing not only the area dedicated exclusively to worship and prayer but also an art gallery, a library, a conference room, an art studio, and the Museum of Islamic Civilisation, which contains artefacts of Turkish Islamic culture.

 

Visible from all parts of the city, the mosque is rich in details that attract visitors' attention when they approach it from a distance. Its six imposing minarets that pierce the sky, which delimit the perimeter of the building, represent the six pillars of the Islamic faith. The main dome of the mosque is 72 metres high and symbolises the 72 nationalities that live in Istanbul. Making it truly a feat of sublime ingenuity. 

Be sure to look out for the innovative Şakirin Mosque too. This modern architectural wonder is the most carbon-neutral mosque in Türkiye.