Asian side, Istanbul

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I don’t know if you go there by public transport but it was great to go up to Camlica Hill (Camlica Tepesi in turkish)by car. It’s located at the asian side of Istanbul, 4km away from Uskudar, we knew the location because most of the TV antennas are over there because this is the highest hill in Istanbul at 267 meters above sea level.

There is a small café(pic 2) but we just parked and enjoyed the view over Bosphorus with European side of Istanbul at the background (pic 1).

Camlica Hill is one of the twin peaks of Mount Bulgurlu.

So we drove at the second hill, actually at the back side of Camlica and we had a different view of the bridge. This hill is called Nakkaştepe. We entered through the gardens of 7tepe restaurant (pic 3) for some different photo angles with our cameras (pic 4) and also some at the other side of the hill (pic 5)

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Best views at the Bosphorus Bridge and the straight itself you will find from the viewing platform Cemil Molla Kurusu.

You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 2' 12.41" N 29° 2' 21.94" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Istanbul from the viewing platform.

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Kuleli Military High School is the first military high school, located in Çengelköy, close to Üsküdar It was founded in 1845 by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I.
Because of the war between the Ottoman Empire and Russia in 1877-1878, the school was decided to be a hospital.
I could see it from apart when was crossing the Bosphorus by city-boat.

You can watch my 2 min 50 sec HQ Video Istanbul Bosphorus Uskudar Eminonu part IV out of my Youtube channel with Turkish pop music.

You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 2' 41.72" N 29° 1' 44.60" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Kuleli Military High School .

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When I walked along Üsküdar to find better views at Bosphorus and its Bridges I casually found myself in a Muslim Cemetery. I watched graves and saw such a grave of a VIP whom I didn’t ever hear about. Here in Moscow I found who he was.

This is a list of the top officials in charge of the finances of the Ottoman Empire, called Defterdar (book-holder) between 14th-19th centuries and Maliye Naziri (Minister of Finance) between 19th and 20th centuries.
Baba Nakkas-zade Dervis Celebi was the top official in charge of the finances (1561-1562) in Reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and was appointed 2nd time (1569-1573) in Reign of Sultan Selim II.

You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 1' 59.53" N 29° 1' 36.56" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Nakkas Baba grave.

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Uskudar has areas of greenery which can be an escape from the density of the city, including the Camlýca hills and the Bosphorus coastline, and the area also has a number of important historical sites to visit.

You can watch my 4 min 39 sec HQ Video Istanbul Bosporus and Üsküdar part II out of my Youtube channel with Turkish pop music by Teoman.

You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 1' 33.43" N 29° 0' 37.00" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Uskudar Lighthouse.

You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 1' 45.70" N 29° 1' 3.46" or on my Google Earth Panoramio Uskudar Park.

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Most people only go to Beylerbeyi to visit the palace, built for Sultan Abdul Aziz and was the final place of confinement of the deposed sultan Abdulhamid II from 1912 until he died there in 1918. If they bothered to stay and take the short walk along the front to the pier, then they would find a lovely little harbour surrounded by several restaurants with some great views of the bosphorus.
If you want to get there by local bus, then cross to either Kadikoy and take the 14M , 15CK, or 15F, from Uskudar take the 15, 15B, 15C, 15H, 15KC, 15M, 15N, 15P, 15R, 15S, 15SN, 15U and 15Y. Web page below but follow the directions from my Istanbul transport, buses page.
BUSES
Ferries are direct but not many, see below web site.
FERRIES

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Istanbul's geographic location, at the point where Europe (Avrupa) meets Asia (Asya), is most remarkable. While the city of Istanbul is officially in Europe, the Asian side has grown over the years to become an inseparable part of the city. Many "Asians" work in Europe during the day, and vice versa. Although overshadowed by Istanbul, the Asian side does have some historic buildings to visit. Üsküdar, the largest city on the Asian side, is the ancient Chrysopolis and Scutari, and was first settled in the 7th century BC! While no ancient monuments remain, the Ottoman heritage is quite present as Üsküdar became part of the empire a century before Constantinople. Though to be able to tell those back home that one crossed from Avrupa to Asya and back in an afternoon is priceless!

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Hip, young, rumbling, and bohemian Kadikoy on the Asian side offers a refreshing antithesis to old, historic Istanbul. A perfect time to cross the Bosphorus to see Kadikoy would be around sunset when the Istanbul sky glows in deep orange and flaming red. As I got off the ferry, the bohemian vibe was right away palpable with a group of young music students (probably on their way home from the classes on the European side) playing and singing Hotel California amidst the throng of humanity - in animated spontaneity.

Across the street from the ferry terminal, the early evening crowd gathered around snack stands for quick eats before going on their journeys home. Walk further towards the market area, and this is where Kadikoy's charm is most striking. The shops sell almost everything from fresh catch to colorful lamps. Soak up the local flavor as much as you could - there are hardly any tourists here. If you're tired and hungry, grab a chair in one of the many pubs around and order hamsi - fried fresh anchovies with a dash of lemon - washed down with local brew Efes before you head back to European Istanbul.

Ferries from Eminonu, Karakoy and Besiktas leave every 10-30 minutes (depending on which terminal) and services are up to as late as 10:45 pm (check the schedules before boarding the ferry).