Uskudar District

Uskudar, ancient Chrysopolis (city of gold) is a large and densely populated historic district on the Asian part of Bosphorus. It was founded in the 7th century B.C. on the Bosphorus shore by the inhabitants of the Greek colony of Calcedonia, today’s Kadikoy. Exactly it is not known why here was called Chrysopolis (city of gold) in ancient times probably because of its wealthy port or because of the way it shone when viewed from Byzantium at sunset or the Persian empire had a gold depository on the region. Chrysopolis was walled by the Athenian general Alcibiades in 410 B.C. During Ottoman period Uskudar was one of three communities outside the city wall; others were Eyup and Galata.

  On the region around ferry dock there is very busy shopping area and a number of important Ottoman mosques from 16th century with a monumental fountain in the square. The miniature Semsi Pasa Mosque and the medrese on the shore are fine examples of Turkish architecture.

  Mihrimah Sultan Mosque constructed by daughter of of Suleiman the magnifient, just a few pace fromthe ferry dock in the historical center of Uskudar between 1546 and 1548. Mihrimah Sultan was wife of Grand Vizier Rustem Pasa and her mosque was the first of the two mosques constructed by her. The Mosque is one of Uskudar’s best-known landmarks.

  Other prominent neighborhood along the Bosphorus shore south of the historic center is Salacak. In Salacak there is a long promenade with a view of European shore of Topkapi Palace, Ayasofya, Blue Mosque Besiktas and Ortakoy up to Bosphorus Bridge. The most prominent view of Salacak is not in the coast but out in the water : Kiz Kulesi (Maiden Tower). Today the tower used as an an luxury restaurant. The tower take its name from a legend about a princess shut in the tower.

  It is said during his fly from Galata Tower, Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi landed here on his hang-glider flight across the Bosphorus in 17th century.

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