Fethi Pasha Grove (Fethi Paşa Korusu)
A historic wooded hillside in Paşalimanı, between Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk, sloping down to the Bosphorus. Its paths open onto views of the Bosphorus Bridge and the European shore.
Along the coast road from Üsküdar towards Kuzguncuk, the hillside on your left suddenly turns green. This is Fethi Pasha Grove (Fethi Paşa Korusu), an old wooded park in Paşalimanı on Istanbul's Asian side. From between the trees you look out over the Bosphorus Bridge and the European shore.
History
The grove takes its name from Fethi Ahmed Pasha, a 19th-century Ottoman statesman who served as head of the Tophane arsenal and also as an envoy abroad. Records say he bought the waterfront mansion at the foot of the hill in the late 1830s and restored it extensively.
Known as the Pink Mansion (Pembe Yalı) for its colour, the house still stands on the shore road. The large grove behind it once climbed to the ridges above Kuzguncuk. After many years of neglect, the municipality landscaped the land and opened it to the public as a park.
What to see
The grove is laid out in terraces under pines and old trees. Paths zigzag up the slope, and with every turn the Bosphorus opens up a little more. From the upper levels you can see the Bosphorus Bridge and the Ortaköy and Beşiktaş shores in one view.
It is quiet on weekdays and busier at weekends, when families come for picnics and walks. There are benches, shaded areas and open lawns, plus cafés and tea gardens that may operate seasonally.
Visiting
Fethi Pasha Grove is in Paşalimanı, in the Üsküdar district. It takes about twenty minutes on foot along the shore from Üsküdar's main square. Coastal buses from Üsküdar towards Beylerbeyi and Beykoz also stop at Paşalimanı. The main entrance is on the shore side. The slope is steep, so wear comfortable shoes. Check current opening arrangements before you go.
Tip: combine the grove with a walk to Kuzguncuk, one of the prettiest neighbourhoods on the Asian side, with colourful houses and small cafés.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Fethi Pasha Grove?
In Paşalimanı, Üsküdar, on the hillside between Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk overlooking the Bosphorus.
How do I get to Fethi Pasha Grove?
Walk about twenty minutes along the shore from Üsküdar, or take a coastal bus to the Paşalimanı stop.
Who was Fethi Pasha?
Fethi Ahmed Pasha was a 19th-century Ottoman statesman and head of the Tophane arsenal. His pink waterfront mansion still stands below the grove.
What can you see from Fethi Pasha Grove?
The Bosphorus Bridge and the European shore around Ortaköy and Beşiktaş.