Famous
Istanbul historian Jak Deleon writes about Uskudar in
his book named 'The Bosphorus: A Historical Guide ' :
''Uskudar
was called Chrysopolis ( Golden City ) in antiquity and
Skoutarion in Byzantine times. Skoutari was the regiment
of shield makers for the imperial army. It must be assumed
that the skoutarian Palace, of which no trace remains
in our day, was once on these shores. The invading Persians,
Macedonians, Arabs and Crusaders called it Escutaire.
The region surrendered to the Ottomans in the 14th century.
Following the conquest of Istanbul, its name altered and
became Uskudar. One source of this name is said to be
EskiDar ( Old House ).Suleyman the Magnificent built the
Uskudar Palace here in the 16th century. Murat IV constructed
the Revan Kosku on the same spot when he returned from
his Baghdad campaign.
The
prominent monuments of Uskudar which flourished throughout
Ottoman times include the Grand Vizier Rum Mehmet Pasa
Mosque, the Mihrimah Sultan Kulliyesi, the Valide Sultan
Bath, the Cakirbasi Hasan Pasa Mosque, Debbaglar Mescidi,
the Imrahor and Dogancilar Mosques, the Cinili Mosque
and the Cinili Bath, the Emetullah Rabia Gulnus Sultan
Fountain and the Yeni Valide Kulliyesi built by Ahmet
III for his mother, the Ayazma Mosque built by Mustafa
III for his mother Mihrisah Emine Sultan, Ahmediye Kulliyesi,
Haci Selim Aga Library, the Husamettin Aga Fountain, the
Sheikh-ul Islam Pirizade Osman Fountain, the Mahmut I
fountain, Bulbulderesi Mescidi and the Sheikh-ul Islam
Arif Hikmet Fountain.
The
Selimiye Kulliyesi, built by Selim III, is a 19th century
building. The complex is made up of a mosque, barracks,
a religious school, a time-keeping office, a fountain,
a bath and velvet weaving workshops.
The
Serefabad Summer Palace, where Mahmut II and Abdulmecid
used to reside on occasion, was the most important waterside
residence in this district. Semsi Pasa Kulliyesi stands
near the same spot and is a 16th century work by Imperial
Architect Sinan. This complex of religious foundations
and philanthropic institutions is on the coastal road
between Uskudar and Salacak.''
Where is ISTANBUL ?
