Üsküdar Picturing an Exalted Reverie

Üsküdar, which was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for centuries had been the first calling point for the Persians, Arabs, Germans, French and the Crusaders who wanted to conquer Istanbul. One hundred and five years before Istanbul was conquered Üsküdar became a part of the Ottoman territory.

Before the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in May 29, 1453, Üsküdar resembled a small Anatolian town but it showed swift development after the conquest and the essences of this place, which had the texture of a city, became apparent. Üsküdar was literally rebuilt during the time of Fatih who settled some of the Turks, that were under mandatory migration, in Üsküdar and by building a bedesten (covered bazaar) in the pier square he energized the commerce. Starting in the sixteenth century the Ottoman Üsküdar was adorned with ninety-one mosques, fifty-one tekke's (dervish lodge), twelve public baths, eleven caravansaries, two soup kitchens, seven madrasas, two hundred and sixty fountains, five large wharfs, two hospitals, two menzilhane's (rest and animal exchange areas), tabhane's (poorhouse), children's schools, libraries, darulhadith (places where the sayings of the Prophet Muhammed -peace be upon him-were taught), sebil's (places where the need for water was provided for free), postal services and many palaces, waterside mansions and the lodges of many Sultans, pashas and government officers.

Üsküdar is actually a miniature Anatolia and at the same time a gateway to Europe. As many developments in technology and art came from the West, the art of photography quickly caught on and entered Anatolia from this gate and from there the Eastern World. A couple of years after photography's invention Üsküdar started to be seen in pictures. As passionate admirers of Üsküdar we gathered all the faithfully kept photographs, cards and writings about this beautiful place and brought them together for you. We wanted to share these pictures and writings which had been stored in chests, albums, archives, articles and personal collections to share firstly with dwellers and admirers of Üsküdar and secondly with the whole world. Thus, this album is a work of passion, which we wish to share.