Uskudar in Istanbul is one of the most important tourist places because it is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations for tourists. As it is located on the gateway to the continent of Asia on the side of the Bosphorus Strait and opposite the European part of the city.It is also the repository of the civilizational history of the Ottoman Empire.
Uskudar region between the past and the present
Uskudar region has been known since ancient times for its ancient history, distinguished geographical location and charming beauty.
As it is characterized by an exceptional geographical location that distinguishes it throughout the ages.
It is also a destination for visitors from everywhere, and the girl’s tower increases its brilliance, mystery, and its dazzling and endless story.
To leave in the heart of everyone who visits or resides there throughout the ages, a piece of the love and magic that is unique to Uskudar.
Uskudar is also one of the oldest residential areas in Istanbul and a center for the original residents of Istanbul.
Uskudar is not a recent region, as the Greeks built it in the seventeenth century, and used it as their colony to preserve their borders and land from any marine invasion, and it was then called Haris and Belize, meaning the golden city.
Historians have disagreed about the reason for naming it by this name, some of them suggested that the region was rich in gold mines in that era, while others preferred the view of its houses during sunset, when the houses look golden in color.
The location of Uskudar district on the map of Istanbul and its public transportation
Uskudar region location
The Uskudar region is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, within a valley surrounded by hills, open to the sea, where the Bosphorus Strait meets the Sea of Marmara, and the Uskudar region is surrounded by the districts of Kadikoy, Umraniye and Beykoz.
As for the southeast side, you will find the Atasehir region, and from the south it is the Kadikoy region, but from the west it overlooks the Bosphorus region.
From the European side of Istanbul, it faces the Besiktas, Beyoglu and Eminonu regions on the opposite shore, and about
Half a million people, in an area of approximately 36 square kilometers.
Public transportation in Uskudar
The municipality of Uskudar has taken great care in strengthening the region with a wide network of transportation, including sea ferries that connect the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.
It also has the Marmaray metro station, in addition to its presence on one end of the Bosphorus Strait Bridge, or as it is recently called the 15th of July Martyrs Bridge, which facilitates ease of movement and movement between all regions of Istanbul.
Metro Boss
A rapid transit line, which is considered the longest and fastest transportation line in Istanbul, and its buses are double in length and wide. The Metrobus line is considered independent as it is not affected by traffic congestion, and it has two lines to go and return. Each metro bus station is also provided with a filling machine for the Istanbul Transportation Card.
The new tram
In Europe, there are two lines under service, the T1 line that runs from Kabatas and gives you access to Sultanahmet and the T4 line that heads northwest of the city. The tram starts operating from 6 am until 11 pm.
The T1 line allows you to reach the most attractive areas for tourists in the city, as it reaches the following areas:
Kabatas – Dolmabahçe Palace, Taksim connection point with funicular line to go to the pier to Princes’ Islands and Kadikoy.
Historic tram
It looks like trams in historical films, there are two lines in service, the first on the European (NT) side that runs down Istiklal Street from Taksim Square to Tunel.
The second line (T3) is on the Asian side of the platform and extends from Kadikoy to Moda.
Subway
It is open from 6 am until midnight, currently there are two lines on the European side, unfortunately these two lines are not connected yet.
There is also a line on the Asian coast, but it is not of great importance until now, because it is not connected to Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
Public transport buses:
There are 400 buses in Istanbul, most of them operate until midnight. In addition to Sultanahmet buses go around the city. The main destinations and stops are marked with a yellow sign on both sides of the buses.
metrobus: These buses operate on dedicated lanes to avoid congestion. These buses run around the outskirts of the city, making them unimportant for tourists.
boats: Boats allow you to travel from Europe to Asia, which saves a lot of time due to the crowding of bridges over the Bosphorus Strait, and is a good way to see the city.
Shared taxis: Fast, economical and widely used throughout Turkey. They operate on a set route and leave when full with eight passengers. On the way, you can go down to the place you need. Payment is simple, once seated, select your destination for the driver who will tell you the price and hand you the money.
The most important historical monuments in the Uskudar region
Pillar Bey Palace
The Ottoman Sultan Abdul Aziz ordered the construction of this palace in the year 1861-1876 AD, as this palace was used as a resort for the Ottoman sultans, in addition to using it as a palace for hosting world leaders and kings and politicians, as this palace hosted the Queen of France Eugenie, the Duchess of Windsor, the Emperor of Austria, and the Crown Prince of Italy.
The Pillar Bey Palace was distinguished by its creativity and skill in design, as it mixed eastern and western architecture. It relied on the eastern design from the inside and the western design from the outside. The palace is decorated from the outside with a beautiful garden full of trees, statues, and many pools of water. Inside the palace, you will find the Salamlik section, the Haramlik section, and the Admiral’s room. And the beautiful hall with the pool and the blue salon.
There were 26 rooms and two bathrooms in the Pillar Bey Palace, the first for men and the other for women, and 6 halls that were decorated with drawings and inscriptions that filled the ceilings.
Girl’s horoscope
In the year 2000, the Maiden’s Tower was opened to serve as a restaurant,
Inside the girl’s tower
Inside there are a number of restaurants that you can climb to through a spiral staircase, which serve meals and various foods through an extensive menu of traditional local Turkish cuisine in a picturesque atmosphere.
You will also see figures that embody the story of the girl, especially the story of the princess and the snake that killed her, and other paintings that express the story of the tower and the associated stories and legends, until you reach the top of the tower, which will dazzle you by seeing the magnificent view of the two sides of Istanbul.
Sultan Ahmed Fountain
It is located on the historical buildings in the square, and the square is decorated with beautiful fountains, as well as flocks of beautiful birds.
And if you find what surrounds you worth contemplating more, give yourself enough time to enjoy it by resting on one of the places designated for sitting in the field.
Away from the pleasant atmosphere of the field, you can move to the park next to the field to enjoy some peace and relaxation, where you will find a number of green trees and beautiful green spaces.
Sultan Adila Palace
Where the legacy of Ottoman history, which was established as a guesthouse and cultural center for the “Adela Sultan” palace by Sultan “Selim III”, and the palace was established on the “Chamliga” hill, and it is one of the finest and most beautiful palaces built in the city of kings and The sultans to that in 1899 donated it to the sultanate to become a secondary school for girls.
Where the palace is located in the Asian section between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara on one of the banks of the sea, and today the palace has become a center for holding conferences and events with its royal look and royal beauty, as it contains a wonderful garden with a view of the sea.
Sultana Mihrimah Mosque
Sultana Mihrimah is the only daughter of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and she was famous for her beauty and her name, which means “the sun and the moon” in Persian. Her character appeared in the famous series “The Sultan’s Harem”, and she is the sister who supported her brothers, the princes.
Located near the Byzantine walls of Constantinople, this mosque was built by Sultan Mihrimah and then restored by the famous architect Sinan Pasha.
There is no doubt that the Mihrimah Sultan Edirne Mosque is one of the most important symbols in Istanbul, where visitors from all over the world come to enjoy watching
Its internal and external details.
The most important tourist places in the Uskudar region
Camlica plateau, its gardens and its great mosque
Camlica plateau in Istanbul
As for the smaller hill, “Kuchuk Chameliga”, you can enjoy walking among the high pine trees and breathing the fresh air with the presence of many types of charming flowers and roses, which make you feel psychologically comfortable.
In addition to the wide spaces on the hill, there are places designated for children’s games and places designated for holding barbecue parties, which families go to on weekends.
The hill attracts visitors and photography enthusiasts to enjoy and take the most beautiful memorial photos from a divine background.
Despite the size of the city, the binoculars located on the hill make it small in the eyes of its visitors, which allow viewing the minarets, historical buildings and gardens of the city. It is also possible to see the ships and ships deployed in the strait, and the takeoff and landing of the planes that decorate the city’s sky.
Camilija Mosque
The Çamlıca Mosque is located on the highest peak of Istanbul and extends over a very large area. It was opened in mid-2019 in the Asian side of Istanbul, specifically on Uskudar Hill, with a direct view of the Bosphorus and the European side of the city.
The largest Çamlıca Mosque in Turkey is one of the most important tourist and cultural destinations in addition to its religious status. It is visited by millions of Turks, foreigners and Arabs residing or coming to visit Turkey at various times of the year.
The mosque was given this name in relation to the Camlica plateau on which it is located, and the name in the Turkish language is derived from the pine, which abounds and spreads in that plateau.
Naccachetepe plateau
Nekatepe National Park in Istanbul The 50 acres of military land in Uskudar in Istanbul was designed as the “Nation’s Park”. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2020 inaugurated the National Park, which is Istanbul’s new favorite with a unique Bosphorus view, wooden flight paths, Adventure Island, camping and shooting areas, picnic areas and ponds.
A very beautiful garden overlooking the first bridge, the Martyrs’ Bridge, and the Bosphorus Canal from the Asian side, a wonderful and picturesque view. The garden is very large and mountainous. There is a lot of descent and ascent in it. There is a game of scavengers and rope games hanging from trees in the form of adventures, as well as many sites for children’s games, and there are also tennis courts trainers and places designated for them.
Emaar Square Complex
“Emaar Square Mall”, whose architectural design is inspired by the atmosphere of the city of Istanbul, and it consists of three floors, but it is very huge, and later achieved wide fame in the destination by Turks and tourists, for shopping as it is one of the distinguishing signs in Istanbul because it contains the most luxurious and finest international brands.
The mall is characterized by the presence of luxurious residential units belonging to it, in addition to a five-star hotel, a car park, a skating rink, and an underground water park, “Emaar Aquarium”.
KidZania Istanbul
The city of KidZania Istanbul games in Istanbul is one of the mini-towns of KidZania, which is located in the Uskudar district of Istanbul, where children can practice some fun interactive activities, and an area of 8,000 square meters has been designated for this miniature model city that includes a hospital, a police station, and other places for fun children.
KidZania Istanbul games city is suitable for children between the ages of 4 and 14 years old, who are interested in experiencing more than 100 jobs, as it is one of the most important tourist places for children in Istanbul.
Kuzguncuk district
The 6 best landmarks in the Kuzguncuk neighborhood on the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul
Ahmed Fathi Pasha Palace
The history of Ahmed Fathi Pasha Palace, or the Pink Palace, which is located between Uskudar and Kuzguncuk, in the Bash Yamani district, is still unclear exactly when and by whom it was built, but most say that it was built at the end of the 17th century, and the oldest records related to security date back to 1815.
The palace is divided into a family place and a place for guests. The front design of the palace and the general plan reflect the genius of the Ottoman engineer who built it.
Kuzguncuk Warini Zada Historical Mosque
It is the only mosque on the shores of the Bosphorus near its famous bridge that connects the European and Asian parts of the city
It also combines the fragrance of history and its authenticity, and its architecture is simple, and the symbolic signs and puzzles that express it.
Jamil Mola Palace
It is one of the Ottoman palaces that were designed by European hands, built by order of the Sultan as a gift to his minister, and it is one of the most recent Ottoman palaces.
Historic Kuzguncuk Houses
Between the old neighborhoods of Istanbul and the Asian section, this historical neighborhood is located, and it is one of the old Istanbul neighborhoods. It was first inhabited by the Jews, then by the Armenians after the migration that took place at the end of the Ottoman era, and then the Muslims from the Asian side.
The historic Hagos Pantaleon Church
In the most famous areas of the Asian section of the city of Sultans, Istanbul, this historic church is located.
This church dates back to more than 4 or 5 centuries ago.
Birhan Abla Street
One of the most beautiful streets of Uskudar district in Istanbul, it is one of those streets that have been able to preserve its old colors and splendor as it is almost far from modernity.
Schools and universities in Uskudar region
Keystone International Schools
It is one of the best Canadian schools in Istanbul and is located in the Kucuk Camlica area. It is accredited by the Turkish Ministry of Education, and it adopts the Canadian Ontario Curriculum in all its educational stages from kindergarten to secondary school.
This approach to education enhances students’ capabilities that qualify them to build a successful life full of goals and achievements, by focusing on igniting their inner passion for learning and enhancing their sense of responsibility for themselves, society and the world.
The school building was equipped with the best advanced educational means, in addition to containing a large group of scientific laboratories, technical and sports halls, and basic service facilities, under the supervision of an international teaching staff with experience and high academic competence.
Steps International School has an international academic program from pre-school through high school, the American Accreditation Advanced (COGNIA). The school also teaches the best textbooks from the Holt series.
Steps International School
Volleyball, indoor gymnasium, indoor swimming pool and horseback riding.
The school is also equipped with all modern laboratories and places for various activities such as art education, music education and the studio.
It seeks to fulfill its mission by providing the best levels of complete medical and psychological care for all its children. Since the beginning of its establishment, Steps International School has sought to obtain a permit to practice work through legal channels and to obtain accreditation from the Turkish Ministry of Education for the country of residence.
Uskudar American Academy
The American Academy for Girls was founded in 1876 in Bahcecık, a town in the city of Kocaeli by missionaries from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The school was moved to Adapazarı where it remained until World War I
It is a district of Üsküdar, Istanbul, a neighborhood in the Asian part of Constantinople (now Istanbul), originally the American College for Girls.
The ACG vacated the Baglarbaşı site in 1914 and moved to Arnavutköy, a neighborhood on the European side of the Bosphorus, leaving the Baglarbaşı campus empty from 1914 to 1921 except for the years 1914-1915 when the school buildings were used as being by Americans and the years 1915-1918 when it was used Turkish army school.
Uskudar American Academy experienced a dramatic change in 1990 when it admitted boys for the first time in a class
Orta Prep.
With this change, the ‘American Academy for Girls’ became a part of history and the school became known as the ‘Usküdar American Academy’.
With the help of USAID grants, Sabancı Holding’s physical changes, supporting parents, and the Health and Education Foundation (SEV) continued to build a gymnasium, renovate Bowker and Barton halls, build Morgan Hall, and science, math, and computer construction.
Uskudar University
Uskudar University was established in 2011, by the NP ISTANBUL Brain Group, which pioneered in the fields of treatment, psychological rehabilitation, mental health and the use of MRI techniques in Turkey.
It has established the first pharmaceutical laboratory for psychological and neurological problems in Turkey.
After the establishment of the university, this laboratory and other laboratories of the group became one of the most important scientific research laboratories affiliated with the university, which provides the latest scientific technologies to students and researchers, as the university provides advanced scientific results that contribute to the development of the field of neurology at the global level.
University of Health Sciences in Uskudar district
The University of Health Sciences (SBÜ) was established as a public university on March 27, 2015. The Marmara University Haydarpaşa Campus in the Haydarpaşa district of Kadıköy in Istanbul is dedicated to the SBÜ.
