Üsküdar

Üsküdar faces Constantinople across the Bosphorus, on the Asian shore where ferries, travellers and caravans meet. Known in antiquity as Chrysopolis, it occupied a natural landing place opposite the imperial city. The narrow crossing made the landing a busy meeting place between the two continents. Its waterfront and hills became a distinct part of the Ottoman capital's urban world, connected to Europe by boat and to Anatolia by roads extending eastward.

Ottoman patrons endowed Üsküdar with mosques and institutions that served its growing population. Near the landing stage stands the mosque of Mihrimah Sultan, daughter of Süleyman the Magnificent, completed in 1548 by the architect Sinan. Its complex included a school and other charitable buildings. The mosque's position above the ferry landing made it a conspicuous landmark for those arriving from across the strait.

Sinan also designed the extensive Atik Valide complex for Nurbanu Sultan on a hill above the town. It included a mosque, schools, a hospital, a hospice and a public kitchen, among other buildings. Such foundations gave Üsküdar a rich monumental landscape as well as practical services. Travellers setting out for Anatolia and pilgrims gathering for the road to the holy cities passed through its streets, while boats maintained the everyday connection with the capital across the water.