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Üsküdar Square (Üsküdar Meydanı) is the main square in Üsküdar. It’s a transportation hub and several attractions are on or near the square.
This entry does not include the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Yeni Valide Mosque, or the market area next to the square.
Transportation Hub
At Üsküdar Square, people can catch a ferry to other parts of Istanbul. There are also buses and dolmuşes (shared taxis) to all points north. The Marmaray station gets you across the Bosporus to the European side or to other points on the Asian side. There’s also access to the M5 metro line via Üsküdar station.
Around the Square
Many people arrive in Üsküdar via ferry. It’s a great experience for first time visitors to stick to the seaside and just sit back, enjoy the views, and watch the action.
Starting near the ferry terminal, there’s a small area with snack bars, street vendors, flower sellers, and benches to sit. It’s a great place for people watching. There are also lots of people fishing right along the Bosporus.
Üsküdar Square is a great place to sit and enjoy the views across the Bosporus. Some of the landmarks you can spot are Dolmabahçe Palace, Beşiktaş Stadium, and the buildings at Taksim Square.
Fountain of Ahmed III
In front of the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is the Fountain of Ahmed III (III. Ahmed Çeşmesi). It was built by Sultan Ahmed III in 1728 to honor his mother, Gülnuş Sultan (1642-1715). It was designed by Ottoman court architect Kayserili Mehmed Ağa (d. 1742), and contains poetry verses and calligraphy by Ahmed III himself.
The fountain provided drinking water for travelers and for people to complete their ritual ablutions before praying. It was originally right on the waterfront but due to redevelopment of the area, the fountain was dismantled and moved to its current location in 1932-33.
Balaban Lodge
On the square in front of the New Valide Mosque is the Balaban Lodge (Balaban Tekkesi). It was a dervish lodge built in 1637. The building was rebuilt in 2009 based on old photographs.
Şemsi Pasha Mosque
In an amazing location along the Üsküdar seaside on the west side of the square is the Şemsi Pasha Mosque (Şemsi Paşa Camii). This tiny mosque is a minor work of Mimar Sinan (1490-1588). It was commissioned by Grand Vizier Şemsi Ahmed Pasha (d. 1580) and built between 1580 and 1581. It’s one of the smallest mosques in Istanbul built for a Grand Vizier.
The tomb of Şemsi Ahmed Pasha is attached to the prayer hall. There’s a small Ottoman cemetery outside containing the graves of his descendants.
Rum Mehmed Pasha Mosque
Perched on a hill just above Şemsi Pasha Mosque is the Rum Mehmed Pasha Mosque (Rum Mehmet Paşa Camii). It was built between 1469 and 1471 for Rum Mehmed Pasha (d. 1470), a Grand Vizier of Greek descent under Mehmed the Conqueror. Rum Mehmed Pasha was executed by drowning in 1470 and is buried in a tomb next to the mosque. The mosque was restored in 1953.
Istanbul Kite Museum
Finally, hidden down one of the back streets a few blocks from Üsküdar Square is the Istanbul Kite Museum (İstanbul Uçurtma Müzesi). This kid-friendly museum was founded in 2005 by Mehmet Naci Aköz. It displays some of the 2,500 kites and accessories he collected from 33 countries on six continents. In addition to the museum, there’s also the Kite School (Uçurtma Atölyesi). The museum is open daily except Mondays. Admission is free (as of September 2023).
