The Hill of Brides in Istanbul (Çamlıca)
The temple of contemplation and the preferred escape from the troubles and pressures of city life, the whiteness of the bride, the evergreen green of the pines, the blue of the sea as far as the eye can see, and the colours of nature complete with its flowers, along with the largest dome of an Islamic Mosque in modern history, all met in one place in “Çamlıca”.
Çamlıca Hill in Istanbul
Çamlıca is the highest hill in Istanbul, from which all the city’s landmarks can be seen, and it has a natural forest arranged by perennial pine trees to make it evergreen.
The Turkish government decided to use Çamlıca hill as a tourist site in 1980, due to its distinguished location and the beauty of its nature. A rest house, several cafes and paths were built, and comfortable walking paths were laid. Various gardens were established within the hill area, in order to become a shrine for tourists on the one hand and the best place to commemorate the wedding anniversary of thousands of brides coming from different parts of Turkey, from which it derives its famous name, “The Hill of Brides”.
Çamlıca is located in the Asian side of Istanbul in the Uskudar region, and entry to it is free throughout the day.
What is in Çamlıca?
Çamlıca hill consists of two hills, one of which is large, with a height of 267 m above sea level, in which there is a pine forest.
And another small one, at a height of 229 m above sea level.
From the two largest hills, you can see the entire city of Istanbul with its strait, its three bridges, the famous Princess Islands located in the middle of the Marmara Sea, in addition to Uludag Mountain, with its summit always white with snow, located near Bursa.
In it, like all other gardens and areas of Istanbul, tulip and spring festivals are held. The garden is decorated with the most beautiful types of flowers and roses, with their attractive colours that please the eye and the heart. intended for grilling.
Çamlıca Mosque
Recently, the hill’s fame has increased, after the opening of the largest mosque with the largest dome in Turkey complete in it
The Çamlıca Mosque can accommodate 35,000 worshipers, and its construction includes a museum, an art hall and a library, similar to the mosques of the Anatolian Ottoman Empire in form and content.
The mosque was built on an area of 57.5 thousand square metres, while the total area of the mosque, its surroundings and its yard are about 350 thousand square metres.
The mosque has 6 minarets, 4 of which are 107.1 metres long, and two are 90 metres long, while its dome is about 72 metres high and 34 metres in diameter.
Gardens have also been allocated around the mosque, with an area of 30 acres, so that visitors can take a stroll in them, and enjoy the view.
The first official prayer on it was held on Qadr Night in Ramadan in 2016 AD, in the presence of the government and the head of state.
