Urban Legends

The Witch of Üsküdar

Origin: Turkey

The Witch of Üsküdar is a chilling urban legend from the Üsküdar district of Istanbul, Turkey. This tale has deep roots in Turkish folklore and has been passed down through generations, with many variations. The story revolves around a mysterious and malevolent witch who is believed to have lived in or near Üsküdar, an ancient and historic part of the city on the Asian side of the Bosporus.

The legend of the Witch of Üsküdar typically centers on an old woman who is believed to possess dark magical powers and a malevolent spirit. In most versions of the story, she is a figure of fear, known for her ability to cast curses, perform evil spells, and control supernatural forces. This witch, it is said, roamed the streets of Üsküdar at night, preying on those who were unfortunate enough to cross her path.

Long ago, in the Ottoman period, there lived an old woman in a small, run-down house on the outskirts of Üsküdar. She was a recluse, shunned by the locals, and was said to be involved in dark magic. Rumors spread that she had made a pact with the jinn (supernatural beings in Islamic mythology) or the devil, gaining powers to manipulate people's fates.

The witch was said to curse anyone who angered her or disrespected her, often leading to horrible misfortunes or even death. It was whispered that the witch could summon storms, cause crops to fail, and make people fall ill. Some believed that she could transform into animals at night, particularly a black cat or a crow, and would spy on the townspeople.

People claimed that children and young women who went missing in Üsküdar were victims of the witch, either cursed by her or kidnapped for some dark ritual. She became a symbol of terror, particularly for parents, who would warn their children not to wander the streets at night for fear of encountering the Üsküdar witch.

In some versions of the story, a specific event is said to have triggered the witch's wrath. One tale describes how a young man in Üsküdar dared to mock and taunt her, making fun of her appearance and accusing her of being a witch. That night, a fierce storm is said to have struck the town, and the young man was found dead the next morning under mysterious circumstances, his face frozen in an expression of terror. Locals believed that the witch had exacted her revenge on him through her dark powers.

After this event, the townspeople grew even more terrified of the witch, and anyone who spoke ill of her or crossed her would soon meet a tragic fate. Eventually, they avoided the witch's home altogether and refused to help her when she fell ill or grew older, fearing her power.

In many versions, the witch of Üsküdar is said to have the ability to transform into animals, especially black cats, dogs, or birds. This allowed her to spy on the locals and move through the town unnoticed.

The witch was feared for her ability to cast powerful curses. People believed that a mere glance or a word from her could bring illness, bad luck, or even death.

The witch was believed to have power over the elements, particularly the ability to summon storms or hail when she was angered or sought revenge.

Some versions of the legend suggest that the witch had control over the dead or was able to communicate with spirits, possibly summoning them to do her bidding.

The legend often concludes with the witch's eventual death, but her demise does not mark the end of the story. Depending on the version, some say that the witch cursed the town of Üsküdar with her dying breath, vowing to return from the dead and haunt those who had wronged her.

After her death, strange occurrences were reported around Üsküdar—people claimed to see her ghost wandering the streets, especially on stormy nights. In some accounts, people saw the apparition of an old woman in ragged clothes, her eyes glowing in the dark, or felt an unnatural coldness whenever they passed near her old house.

Her spirit was said to appear to those who disrespected her memory or doubted the legends, often in terrifying visions or dreams. This ghostly version of the witch became known as the "Witch of Üsküdar", and locals continued to fear her even after her physical death.

The Witch of Üsküdar has become a part of local folklore and is often seen as a cautionary tale. She embodies the archetype of the vengeful witch—a woman wronged by society who uses her supernatural powers to exact revenge. The tale serves as a warning to respect the elderly, to avoid taunting those who might seem out of place, and to be mindful of the consequences of disrespect or cruelty.

Although there is no concrete evidence that the witch ever existed, the urban legend persists, with many believing that her spirit still lingers in Üsküdar. Locals still tell the story to children and tourists, warning them not to walk alone at night, especially near the old quarters of Üsküdar, where her spirit is said to reside.

Whether viewed as a mythical cautionary tale or a truly haunted legend, the Witch of Üsküdar remains an enduring part of Turkey's rich folklore tradition, embodying the timeless themes of vengeance, fear, and the supernatural.