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Anadolu Hisarı and Göksu districts of Istanbul: quiet and green on the Asian side of the Bosphorus

Anadolu Hisary (Anadolu Hisari) and Geksu (Anadolu Hisarı, Göksu) are two small quiet green districts in Istanbul, which are part of the large district and city of Istanbul province - Beykoz.

These two districts are located near each other and smoothly flow into one another. The districts are divided by the Göksu Deresi River.

The districts are located in the Asian part of Istanbul, near the waters of the Bosphorus Strait, where they border with the large Usküdar district.

View of the Anadolu Hisara and Geksu districts from the waters of the Bosphorus and the European side of Istanbul

View of the Bosphorus and the European side of Istanbul from the districts Anadolu Hisara and Geksu

The Anadolu Hisara and Geksu districts are notable for the Ottoman palace, the remains of an ancient defensive fortress and a panoramic park. Also in the districts there is a ferry pier, cafes, restaurants, shops and accommodation facilities

In the districts there are exits to the Bosphorus, from where beautiful views open.

The main attractions of the Anadolu Hisary and Geksu districts

Kyuchuksu Palace

The Palace of Küçüksu (Küçüksu Kasrı) is a neo-Baroque palace that served as the summer residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, and today is a museum with palace halls.

Translated from Turkish, the palace is called as "The Palace of heavenly water" or "The Palace of small water".

This miniature palace was built in 1857 by order of Sultan Abd-ul-Majid I. The construction of the palace was carried out on the site of a two-story wooden palace built during the reign of Mahmud I.

Today, the Kyuchuksu Palace is a striking monument of the Ottoman Empire and functions as a museum with recreated palace interiors.

Entrance to the palace is paid.

Palace address: Göksu, Küçüksu Cd., 34810 Beykoz/Istanbul, Turkey.

Palace website: kucuksu-kasri. More about the Kyuchuksu Palace...

Fountain Mihrishah Valide Slutan

The fountain of Mihrişah Valide Sultan (Mihrişah Valide Sultan Çeşmesi) is a monumental elegant fountain built in 1805 by order of Sultan Selim III for his mother Mihrişah Valide Sultan.

The fountain is one of the historical sights of Istanbul and in its appearance reflects the Baroque and Empire styles.

The fountain is located near the Kyuchuksu Palace.

Mihrishah Walide Sultan Mosque

The Mihrişah Valide Sultan Mosque (Mihrişah Valide Sultan Camii) was built in 1750 by Mihrişah Valide Sultan.

Subsequently, the mosque was demolished, but in connection with the project implemented in 2013 to revive the historic Kyuchuksu embankment, the mosque was rebuilt in accordance with its original form.

The mosque is also known as the Kyuchuksu Mosque. It has one minaret with one balcony. The interior of the mosque is simple in execution.

Anadoluhisar Fortress

Anatolian Fortress or Anadolu Hisarı Fortress is a small fortress (fort), which is one of the oldest architectural structures in Istanbul.

The fortress was built in 1393-1394 as a guard fort in the narrowest part of the Bosphorus Strait under the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I.

Mehmed I's grandson, Sultan Mehmed II, fortified the fortress with a two-meter wall and three additional watchtowers, and also added additional extensions, including a warehouse and living quarters. As part of his plans to launch a new military campaign to conquer Constantinople (now the city of Istanbul), Mehmed II on the opposite side of the Bosphorus (European part) opposite Anadoluhisari in 1452 built Rumeli Hisarı fortress. After that, the two fortresses worked in tandem in 1453 to restrict all sea traffic along the Bosphorus, thereby helping the Ottomans achieve their goal of making the city of Constantinople (later renamed Istanbul) their new imperial capital.

After the Ottoman conquest of the city, Anadoluhisari served as a customs post and a military prison, and after a few centuries it fell into disrepair.

Today, only a part of the fortress remains, and it is clearly visible from the Bosphorus and the nearby street. Read more about Anadolukhisar Fortress with photos and description...

A river (stream) flows near the fortress Geksu, which makes the views of the fortress and the surrounding area even more picturesque.

Anadolu Hosari Fatih Sultan Mosque

The Anadolu Hosari Fatih Sultan Mosque (Anadolu Hisar Fatih Sultan Cami) was built by Sultan Fatih Mehmed. The exact date of construction is unknown.

During its history, the mosque was burned down, as well as demolished and restored to its current location.

The mosque has one minaret of hewn stone with one balcony. In the garden of the mosque there is a fountain built in 1987.

Otagtepe Fatih Park

Otagtepe Park (Otagtepe Park) is located near the bridge of Sultan Mehmet Fatih (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü), spanning the Bosphorus.

Although this park is located far from the main tourist routes and attractions of the city, but it is a very popular place in Istanbul, mainly due to the fact that the park is located on the Otagtepe hill and offers beautiful panoramic views of the Bosphorus Strait and the European side of the city.

In the park: walking paths, lawns, recreation areas, picnic areas and gazebos, observation terraces, a small pond with turtles.

Entrance to the park is free (free of charge). More about Otagtepe Fatih Park...

Transportation of Anadolu Hisary and Geksu districts

The Anadolu Hisara and Geksu districts can be reached by public transport, car or taxi.

Buses run from public transport to and around the districts.

In addition, from the ferry pier "A. Hısari" ferries run both through the Bosphorus Strait and along the Asian side of Istanbul - from pier to pier.

Istanbul ferries are public transport (Istanbul transport cards are valid).

Museum and tourist maps of Istanbul

Some museums and sites in Istanbul, including those located in and near the Anadolu Hisari and Geksu districts, have museum and tourist maps.

There are different types of maps in Istanbul. Some of which give the right to visit certain museums, while others, in addition to the main museums, include excursions, as well as some shows and entertainment, public transport rides and discounts on airport transfers.

The classic and most common is the museum card "Museum Pass Istanbul" (Museum Pass Istanbul), which gives the right to enter some museums of the city. There are also more extended Istanbul E-Pass and Istanbul Tourist Pass cards, which give the right to visit museums, attractions, guided tours, an aquarium, shows, cruises along the Bosphorus, trips outside the city, etc.Learn more about museum and tourist maps of Istanbul...

Anadolu Hisari and Geksu districts on the map

All accommodation facilities in Istanbul, including near the Anadolu Hisari and Geksu districts, can be viewed and booked here

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