A Trip to Üsküdar

In Istanbul, sometimes the most impressive landmarks are hidden in the most unassuming streets. Hüsrev Ağa Mosque is one such place. It doesn't attract crowds like the grand complexes. But its silence draws you in. As you approach its entrance, the city noise subsides. The coolness of the stone walls is immediately felt. Time slows down as you step into the courtyard. The light inside changes according to the tone of the day. In one corner, an old...

The hustle and bustle of Istanbul sometimes hides the most beautiful details. In a narrow street, the coolness of the stone brushes against your face. Just then, a small water structure appears before you. The Sadeddin Efendi Fountain and Water Dispenser is like such a surprise. It doesn't stand as impressively as grand monuments, but it tells a great story. The inscriptions on it carry the voice of an era. The marble workmanship, up close...

In Üsküdar, sometimes you enter through a doorway, and the sounds of the city suddenly cease. The Karacaahmet Sultan Mausoleum stands at the very heart of this silence. Hundreds of years old cypress trees rise around it. The scent of earth mixes with the coolness of the stone, calming the senses. Here, time doesn't flow as quickly as in Istanbul. Visitors speak in whispers, treading more carefully. It's not like a visit to a mausoleum, it's more like...

As you climb the hills of Üsküdar, Istanbul reveals another face. The Valide-i Atik Complex is one of the most prominent landmarks of this face. At first glance, you see a quiet and dignified structure. As you approach, the stonework begins to speak subtly. Once you enter the courtyard, the noise of the street is left behind. Shadows create a cool corridor beneath the arcades. Inside, the light is soft, but...

The crowds of Istanbul can sometimes be tiring. In Üsküdar, however, the city flows with a gentler rhythm. Karacaahmet Cemetery is the quietest stop on this rhythm. The first thing you notice upon entering is the shade of the trees. Then come the sounds of birds, followed by the coolness of the stones. As you walk here, your steps naturally slow down. Because each tombstone carries a small story. Some are ornate,...

Walking along the Üsküdar coast, the sea sometimes blends with your steps. The Şemsi Paşa Complex seems to be built right on top of this blend. The sound of the waves crashes against the stone walls and returns. The bustling square is left a few steps behind. In front of you is a tiny courtyard, and behind you, the vast Bosphorus opens up. One inevitably slows down upon arriving here. Because the structure is not at all suited to haste. The architect...

While walking in Üsküdar, sometimes a color catches your attention. The Tiled Mosque immediately stands out with the colors that give it its name. From the outside, you see a simple Ottoman mosque. But once you step inside, the story suddenly deepens. The gleaming tiles on the walls give the space a cool light. The crowded streets are left behind, the pace slows down inside. The sounds soften, the steps become more cautious...

While walking along the Bosphorus coast, sometimes a small dome catches your eye. In Beylerbeyi, this surprise appears right on the edge of the shore. The Beylerbeyi Hamid-i Evvel Mosque is an elegant stop near the water. The sound of the waves spreads like a subtle backdrop against the mosque's stones. Bridge traffic is in the distance, and the wind is more noticeable here. Upon entering, a cool air fills the air and...

The moment you step onto Kuleli Beach, the Bosphorus immediately draws near. The sound of the water softens the noise of the coastal road. On the opposite shore, the outlines of Ortaköy gradually emerge. Sometimes the bridge appears like a thin arch in the sky. Those walking slow their pace, because the view doesn't like haste. Those sitting on the benches open their thermos lids, and conversations linger. The yellow facade of the Kuleli building is noticeable even from afar...

Seeing Istanbul from above is like rediscovering the city. Büyük Çamlıca Hill offers the clearest experience of this feeling. When you climb up there, the Bosphorus suddenly widens. Bridges, ferries, and continents all appear in the same frame. The wind sometimes blows strongly, but it's refreshing. The crowds are left behind, and you can breathe. As the view changes, the desire to take photos increases. Then your phone goes into your pocket, your eyes...

In Üsküdar, sometimes a mosque captivates you with its architecture. The Marmara Faculty of Theology Mosque is exactly such a place. At first glance, you see a familiar silhouette. As you get closer, you realize that the details create a modern language. Although it is within the campus, it gives the feeling that its doors are open to everyone. Once you enter the courtyard, the city noise noticeably decreases. Stepping inside, you realize how the light...

In Üsküdar, sometimes you enter a courtyard, and the tone of the city changes. The New Valide Complex is such a gateway. The crowds of the square stay outside; the interior is calmer. Stone walls absorb the sounds, your steps become lighter. On one side, the hustle and bustle of the bazaar flows, on the other, prayers can be heard. The scent of the sea comes with the wind, dispersing in the courtyard. When you look at the dome, you are reminded of the layers of Istanbul. Here...

The moment you step onto Üsküdar Square, the sea greets you. The shore is bustling with people, but one corner is quieter. It is in that corner that the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque rises. Many locals call it the İskele Mosque (Pier Mosque) because it's so close to the shore, the piers, and the sounds of ferries. On one side, seagulls circle, on the other, the sound of prayers can be heard. Upon entering, you'll find the stone...

Walking along the Üsküdar coast, the sea suddenly draws closer. A small mosque winks at you right on the shore. The Şemsi Paşa Mosque stands serenely on the edge of the Bosphorus. Waves crash against the walls, and silence grows within. Seagulls often circle the dome. It is one of Mimar Sinan's most elegant coastal works. The locals also call it the Asparagus Mosque, because, according to legend...

In Istanbul, sometimes a mosque is more than just a place of worship. Şakirin Mosque stands like a breath of modern life in the heart of Üsküdar. As you approach the entrance, you are greeted not by the coldness of stone, but by the warmth of light. The daily hustle and bustle outside transforms into a gentle silence inside. Looking at the dome, classical lines and contemporary details are visible together. The glass surfaces elegantly diffuse the sunlight, illuminating the space…

Walking through Sultanahmet, sometimes a corner suddenly stops you. The Ahmed III Fountain is one such stop. The craftsmanship on the marble immediately catches the eye. Standing in front of the fountain, you feel the Bosphorus breeze. As the crowds flow by, the structure seems to slow down time. On one side, the Topkapi Gate rises, on the other, Hagia Sophia approaches. The layers of Istanbul overlap here. You want to take a photograph...

Kuzguncuk Beach is one of the calmest shores of the Istanbul Bosphorus. Your steps naturally slow down when you arrive here. The scent of the sea mixes with the shade of plane trees. The European side is before you, and the tranquility of Üsküdar is beside you. The cries of seagulls gently accompany the whistles of ferries. Those sitting on benches gaze at the view for a long time. Those walking gather their thoughts as they follow the shoreline. Photographers take pictures from every angle...

There are some places in Üsküdar where the noise subsides as soon as you step inside. The Aziz Mahmut Hüdayi Mosque is exactly such a stop. The crowds of the street are left behind in a few steps. You begin to walk more slowly as you enter the courtyard. It's not the scent of incense in the air, but the smell of old stone. Birdsong drowns out the noise of the city. In one corner, those visiting the tomb silently pray. Another...