ENGLISH

Üsküdar and Lady Üsküdar is one of ’s most important districts, which excelled in trade, law, culture, arts and endowments. The interest that the NEVMEKÂN SAHİL Ottoman lady sultans showed in Üsküdar was Cultural Center & Lady Sultans’ Museum also due to the special position this district occupied in the history of the city. It is thanks Nevmekân Sahil is an art and culture exhibition center with to this deep interest for several centuries that Mihrimah a very extensive library and a beautiful cafe overlooking we are able to see beautiful monuments in the Bosphorus. The Lady Sultans’ Museum is also a part of numerous quarters of Üsküdar today. the same complex. A significant number of diverse works of art in Üsküdar were built by lady sultans. Often Nevmekân Sahil opened its doors to With a beautiful collection of dolls, due to the patronage and charity of lady students, youth, art and culture lovers, and the Lady Sultans’ Museum reflects lives of sultans, many of these structures have survived, those people who have a great enthusiasm numerous Ottoman lady sultans who left including the following: for learning. In addition to having a library indelible marks on Üsküdar and Istanbul. • Mihrimah Sultan Mosque was built by with around 100,000 books, Nevmekân Ottoman Lady Sultans were more than also hosts art, culture and music activities, just aristocratic women. As they were Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Atik Valide Mosque Süleyman the Magnificent and the wife of and art exhibitions, and students are served the mothers, wives, or daughters of the Grand Vizier Rüstem Paşa. free soup and tea every day after midnight. Ottoman sultans, they played roles that It has become an important location for every section of society could identify with. • Atik Valide Mosque was built by Nurbanu Istanbul’s culture and art. , the wife of Selim II and the mother of Murad III. • Çinili Mosque & Hamam complex was built by Mahpeyker Kösem Sultan, the wife of and the mother of Murad IV Çinili Mosque and Ibrahim. • Yeni Valide Mosque was built by Gülnuş Emetullah Sultan, the wife of Mehmed IV, the mother of Mustafa II and Ahmed III. and Ahmed III.

Yeni Valide Mosque

www.quickguides.info Published by Yenen Publishing (Şerif Yenen) www.serifyenen.com • [email protected] Copyright © 2020 Şerif Yenen Written by Şerif Yenen Edited by David Hendrix Design by Cem Günübek Illustrations by Cemil Cahit Yavuz 1 Nevmekân Sahil & Nev Gallery Lady Sultans’ Museum Lady Sultans* 2 Cafe with Bosphorus View Üsküdar Municipality has been trying to The Ottomans had one of the largest and most 3 Pool & Garden better promote the Ottoman lady sultans institutionalized state traditions in world history. 4 Lady Sultans’ Museum as well as the monuments and institutions Women played particular roles in the palace culture 5 ISKI they left behind. As research into this legacy that was shaped by the ruling dynasty’s perception has deepened, a significant amount of of state, conception of society, and individual 6 Rum Mehmet Paşa Mosque historical information, in particular on the lady wealth. The history of the Ottoman lady sultans Atatürk Monument 7 sultans, began to accumulate. To process this (mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of the 8 Şemsipaşa Square information in a way that would turn it into sultans) is virtually indistinguishable as the history 9 Navy Clubhouse a tangible cultural heritage, the Lady Sultans’ of the empire itself. 10 Şemsipaşa Radar Tower Museum was established. The reputation and impact of the lady sultans were An academic research committee under not limited to their life in the palace; they were also Professor Selman Can from Marmara University taken as role models with their acts of charity and studied the garments of the Ottoman patronage in the overall Ottoman culture. What between the 16th and 19th centuries. This rendered them particularly famous, though, research allowed for authentic dresses and was the education they were given, their jewelry to be custom made. Tragacanth, still 6 dedication to the continuation of family life, used in Anatolia for doll making, was the main and their individual wealth. 5 material for the dolls. The dolls are perfect 4 imitation of their originals. They are now on Dearly loved and respected by the society they display in a uniquely curated setting. lived in, lady sultans are still fondly remembered for 3 the architectural monuments they commissioned 9 and funded. A great many , public baths, bazaars, and fountains that are still standing and

Şemsi Paşa Caddesi open for public use in what used to be prominent 1 Ottoman cities, especially Istanbul, were funded and established as pious endowments by the lady sultans - and a considerable portion of them are 2 located in Üsküdar. Entrance 2 7 *Lady Sultans are also called Sultanas in English.

SALACAK

üsküd 8 ar center

Üsküdar-Harem Sahil Yolu

Hürrem Sultan Gülnuş Emetullah Sultan 10 BOSPHORUS