Standing high above the northern Bosphorus, Joshua Hill (Hz. Yuşa Tepesi) feels far removed from the pace of central Istanbul. This quiet hilltop in Beykoz draws visitors for reasons that go beyond views alone. For centuries, it has been a place of prayer, reflection, and layered belief, centered around the Tomb of Prophet Joshua and the small mosque beside it.
Many people come here seeking a spiritual pause, especially during Ramadan, when the atmosphere becomes even more contemplative. Others arrive out of curiosity, drawn by the legends that surround the unusually long tomb and the stories linking Prophet Joshua to Prophet Moses. There are also those who simply want to experience one of Istanbul’s lesser-known sacred sites, away from crowds and tour groups.
What makes Joshua Hill special is the way history, belief, and landscape sit side by side. Ancient pagan temples, Byzantine remains, Ottoman restorations, and modern visitor facilities all share the same ridge. From the top, the Bosphorus stretches wide and calm, reinforcing the sense that this place was chosen not for grandeur, but for stillness.
Our guide walks through the meaning of Joshua Hill, its historical background, what you’ll see at the summit, and how to reach it without stress. If you are looking for a quieter, more reflective side of Istanbul, this hill is a meaningful place to begin.
About the Joshua Hill Istanbul – Tomb of Prophet Joshua
Perched high above the Bosphorus, Joshua Hill feels removed from the city’s noise, even though Istanbul stretches out in every direction below.
This quiet summit is home to the Tomb of Prophet Joshua, a site many locals visit for reflection, especially during Ramadan. There is a calm here that’s hard to explain until you stand at the top and let the view slow you down.
Right beside the tomb sits Yuşa Camii, a modest mosque commissioned in 1755 by Grand Vizier Yirmisekiz Çelebizade Mehmet Sait Paşa. The building has seen fire and restoration over the centuries, most notably in 1863 during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz. What remains today is simple, unpretentious, and deeply tied to the rhythm of daily worship on the hill.
The tomb itself is striking for its length. Tradition holds that Prophet Joshua rests here, and the extended grave reflects a long-standing belief meant to honor his stature rather than describe physical reality.
According to local accounts, Joshua was a descendant of Prophet Joseph and lived in the same era as Prophet Moses, traveling with him through moments that shaped sacred history. The location of the grave is said to have been revealed by Yahya Efendi, the milk brother of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent.
Istanbeautiful Team note:
Joshua Hill isn’t about monuments or spectacle. Come for the stillness, stay for the Bosphorus view, and give yourself time to sit quietly. Even a short visit can reset the pace of your day in Istanbul.
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Historical Significance of Joshua Hill Istanbul
The story of Joshua Hill reaches far beyond its quiet paths and Bosphorus views. Long before Istanbul took its present shape, this hill was treated as sacred ground. Different civilizations left their mark here, each adding a new layer to its meaning.
In antiquity, the summit was home to a Temple of Zeus. When the Byzantine era arrived, that structure was adapted into a church known as Hagios Michael. This church stood for centuries, serving the surrounding communities, until the devastating earthquake of 1509 brought it down. Even after the ruins disappeared, the sense of sanctity tied to the hill never faded.
The Ottoman period reshaped the site again. In 1755, Grand Vizier Yirmisekiz Çelebizade Mehmet Sait Paşa commissioned the construction of Yuşa Camii, placing a mosque beside the tomb believed to belong to Prophet Joshua. At the same time, a surrounding wall was built to protect and define the grave, formalizing the area as a place of prayer and visitation.
After a fire damaged the mosque, it was carefully restored in 1863 during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz. The goal was continuity rather than reinvention, keeping the structure faithful to its earlier form.
In the decades after the 1990s, further work by the Beykoz Mufti’s Office added modest facilities such as a library, cultural spaces, a dining hall, and fountains. These additions supported visitors without overwhelming the spiritual atmosphere.
Today, Joshua Hill remains a place people come to quietly, especially during Ramadan. History, belief, and landscape sit side by side here, without competing for attention.
Istanbeautiful Team note:
This hill has never belonged to just one era. Walking here feels like passing through centuries at once, with each step carrying traces of belief, memory, and calm.
How to Get to Joshua Hill
Reaching Joshua Hill and the Tomb of Prophet Joshua takes a bit of effort, yet the route itself feels calm and scenic, especially as you move closer to the Bosphorus.
The simplest option starts from Üsküdar. Bus 15A runs directly toward Joshua Hill. Get off at Doğu Kapısı or Yuşa Tepesi stop. From there, a short uphill walk brings you to the summit. The final stretch is quiet and shaded, making the walk part of the experience.
Another pleasant approach comes by sea. Ferries to Anadolu Kavağı depart from Üsküdar and pass neighborhoods such as Beykoz, Çubuklu, Kanlıca, Anadolu Hisarı, Çengelköy, and Beylerbeyi.
From the Anadolu Kavağı ferry pier, Joshua Hill sits about 4 km away. Many visitors combine a coastal walk or a short taxi ride with the visit.
From the Asian side, Kadıköy visitors often use bus 15BK and get off at Sedir Sokak, then continue from Kavacık Transfer Center with bus 15A to Yuşa Tepesi. Those coming from Ümraniye usually take bus 11H to Beykoz and switch to 15A.
Travelers arriving from Kartal, Maltepe, Pendik, or Tuzla frequently use the long 500T route to Kavacık Köprüsü, then transfer to bus 15A for the final leg.
From the European side, the Metrobus network makes the journey manageable. Many routes lead to Mecidiyeköy, where bus 121B runs toward Kavacık. From its final stop, bus 15A continues directly up to Yuşa Tepesi.
Visitors starting from Taksim typically take the M2 metro to Mecidiyeköy–Şişli and follow the same connection.