Paşakapısı Prison

Paşakapısı Prison is a correctional facility located in Üsküdar district of Istanbul that currently holds convicted state employees. The building with its thick walls and historic structure remains a notable architectural presence in this part of the city.

The structure was built in 1799 as a hunting palace commissioned by Sultan Selim III before its conversion into a prison in 1928. Between 1918 and 1923 the building served as a convent school, a period that marked an intermediate use before becoming a correctional facility.

Between 1918 and 1923, the building functioned as a school for nuns, marking a period of educational significance in its history.

The facility is situated in an accessible area of Üsküdar district with established infrastructure nearby. Visitors should plan to view the exterior of the building, as interior access is not available to the public.

The building remains at its original location while the surroundings transformed from isolated forest into a bustling urban neighborhood. This shift shows how Istanbul expanded around this single structure over generations.

Location: Istanbul

Inception: 1928

GPS coordinates: 41.01731,29.01419

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21