Saladjak Dyke, Maiden Tower and Bosphorus or How Life in Uskudar Flows in Istanbul-Turkey

We continued walking around the beautiful and magnificent Istanbul. Today we move to the Asian part of town to Üsküdar / Üsküdar district.

Located on the banks of the Bosphorus. In this area we frequent. The Bosporus attracts like a magnet in these parts and not just us, but all Istanbul people. Our journey will be connected with the lives of ordinary citizens and will not be too stressed on the main attractions.

The embankment at Uskudar is called Salacak. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along it. Here there is a parking space for boats that will take you to the Maiden Tower. One of the most favorite activities of the residents of Istanbul is to sit on the embankment and contemplate the beauty of the Bosphorus and the Maiden Tower.

Currently, the entire district of Uskudar is being rebuilt globally, especially the center. Recently, several new schools, office buildings, new stadiums, and medical centers have emerged. Restore all mosques and restore the cultural centers of the Sufis.

They dismantled all the old houses in the center of Uskudar. But do not bother people and tourists. A new architectural project is being prepared for the development of the central part of Uskudar and the Saladjak embankment. Everything is done in some parts and very fast.

Last time we were in the Asian region of Kadikoy, where there are very few mosques. Üsküdar is rich in architectural structures in the form of an old mosque (91 mosques). "Golden City" (Chrysopolis) - the so-called Greek founder Uskudar in the 7th-8th century BC. It is this area that protects the features of ancient Ottoman baths. Even now, 12 baths are open for visits.

In the photo, the center of the district and mosque of Mihrymakh-Sultan. Near the mosque is the old library, which also bears the name Mikhrimah. Of course, rich Uskudar is not only in the old mosque. The palace and the old houses. Some of the houses in front of the Bosphorus are built of wood. They are in a sad state, but the historical structure is not destroyed. Now they are closed for recovery. Soon this building will have the same look as they had a few years ago.

Right on the Bosphorus beach, there is a mosque with a beautiful courtyard and library. Anyone can visit the library. Inside there is a very beautiful decor in the old style. Here are stored rare old books, which can be accessed directly for viewing. Of course, almost all books are in Turkish. But you can see the history books with great old pictures of Istanbul.

Right in the mosque most favorite place for fishermen. And day and night men are engaged in an active holiday like that. For some, this is a daily income. The fish was taken directly to the nearest cafe. It should be noted that the first modern bridge (1973) is located in Uskudar, which connects parts of Asia and Europe in Istanbul. All the bridges get amazing views at night, burning with different lights.

In downtown Uskudar there is a fish market, around it there are cafes and benches with other items. The photographs were made on Sunday night, the fish market was closed. But before I talked about him.

Very many Uskudar residents work as sellers. Especially here there are many mobile shops. Very comfortable, where I want, I go there. The sellers pass the streets of Uskudar and offer their goods.

Üsküdar is the district of Istanbul, where you rarely see women working. If anything, it is not Turkish. Here, the Muslim tradition is closely observed. Women are engaged at home and children. Men traditionally visit the cafe after work and drink coffee. If you walk along the streets of Uskudar, you will see that in the old cafe just sit the men. This is very striking. Now I am not talking about popular tourist attractions and modern cafes.

Near the port of Istanbul there are always plenty of fast food buffets. Quiet enough everything can be consumed. Quality and speed of service at altitude. Istanbul is a very frequent guest of the buffet. The price is quite affordable. Now all the streets are decorated with colorful flags. It is connected to Ramadan holidays and pre-election campaigns. There's always a crowd. Buffet accustomed to running their orders very quickly. But on holidays, the Turks do not eat or drink until sunset, so coffee shops are not used until the afternoon. The seller himself is hungry and without fainting water. We even have orders to do something uncomfortable.

Even an hour before sunset, Uskudar residents gather in buffets, cafes and restaurants. At this time all companies are carefully prepared. This is called time "h". Everyone flies with food at high speed and nothing can not be seen. Many families, even children, are forced to fast with this way. During the day, people without food and water become very irritated and angry. But at night, when everyone takes food, everything is calm and smooth. Troops for any conversation or violent argument will not be left. I have been watching this for a few years now. At normal times the Turks are very noisy by natural people.

This type of bread is a symbol of Ramadan holiday. Bake only in the oven. Every time the dark day is eaten by about 15 million such cakes in Istanbul. I myself gladly spent a day eating half of this bread.

But the people of Istanbul are really churning out this bread. Queues in Istanbul so far can only be seen in the month of Ramadan. Everybody's bakery for some reason stands for hours. It is possible that before sunset, they want to spend time, I do not know.

Istanbul has grown over the last year in terms of social programs. The fact is that the whole month of Ramadan organizes free food for all comers. All this happened in the mosque and in the square. In previous years everything was simpler. A truck with a big pot approaching (I've never seen such a person), and they are distributing food directly from the body. This year, we built a big refrigerator. The person who feeds them all with uniforms and gloves. In the photo you see this caravan with the words "Uskudar". Prepared thoroughly and not without reason.

People for social food are two or three hours before sunset. We barely made it to the Bosphorus. In the photo you see a small part of the queue. I can not even say how many people are here every day. Near the food hanging hanging distribution, to residents of Turkish President. Well it appears, especially the selection on the nose.

I photographed the queue from the embankment. The food distribution point is located in the Mikhrimah-Sultan mosque and a little further by the monument to Ataturk.

Afternoon view of the embankment near the Bosphorus. Now lonely, people get social food. Other houses waiting to start eating.

After about 300 meters there is another food distribution point. A piece of queue is in front of your eyes. Even a special enclosed place with tables and chairs built. But I think it's hard to get there. People get food and go to the Bosphorus.

So the dining room is visible inside. We're back late, here have time to clean everything. From food everyone gets soup and rice, drinks, a little sweet taste and bread.

The first owner of social food runs to the Bosphorus and sits on the sidewalk. The level of eating that I observed only this month. The next meal with the Turks happens in two or three nights. Then again they got to sunset without food and drink. Such an interesting tradition.

You need to pay tribute to the rubbish service in Istanbul. People after social food "socially" throw things away badly. It looks really ugly, does not even take photos.

There are a number of great restaurants by the beach Saladjak. You can have fun and go to the disco. Opposite to Uskudar is the Beşiktaş region, where Istanbul's largest stadium is built. This is an amazing sight from Istanbul itself and the Bosphorus. Everyone knows that there is a lot of citizenship in Istanbul. But in Uskudar many Turks live. This area is very different from other places in Istanbul. If there is time, you need to come here and walk along the path in this area, and not just look at the Bosphorus.

Some parents (Turkish men) like to spend time near the mosque of Mihrymakh-Sultan. You see this aisle in the photo. I hardly ever see a Turkish woman here. A strange men's path. There are many like in Uskudar and they are near old buildings.

In the photo there is another ancient cafe, which tourists avoid. And in vain. This is one of the old cafe across from the Maiden Tower. A small wooden house, which is very old. Here, tea and coffee are excellent. The Turks like to come here. The cafe is called Saladjak, as is the dike. In the summer playground and in the small courtyard there is a comfortable place to rest. Turkish coffee is very good here.

Thank you for your attention!