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10 most amazing Istanbul Mosques

12/12/2010 by Kenan Surkovic

Architecture

ISTANBUL MOSQUES / This is a display of 10 beautiful Mosques in Istanbul.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque

represents, along with the Yeni Mosque, the last great project of classical Ottoman architecture.The construction lasted about ten years, and the works were completed in 1609 during the rule of Ahmed I. The floor plan is based on the model of Şehzade Mehmed Mosque. The architect was Mehmet Aga, an apprentice of Mimar Sinan. The mosque is located across Hagia Sophia and competes in size and scale. Today is one of the symbols of Istanbul and the favorite tourist destination. It is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the richly decorated blue tiles from Iznik. The central dome is supported on four huge pillars to give a special distinction of internal space. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is also the only Ottoman mosque that has six minarets.

Photo: Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Photo taken by Elvira Bojadzic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Photo: The dome of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Photo taken by Kenan Surkovic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Suleymaniye Mosque

The most eminent architect of the time was Mimar Sinan, who shaped the classical style fully and to the utmost. The masterpiece of his architectural achievements is the most important mosque in Istanbul, Suleymaniye Mosque and Selimiye Mosque in Edirne (1570-1574). Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most monumental example of the classical Ottoman architecture. It seems that the floor plan of Hagia Sophia mostly inspired Sinan for this project. Dimensions of the mosque are huge, but the dome, which exceeds 25m, the prayer area that occupies 58m2, (5x57,5m), while the building itself is 54m high.
The mosque is decorated with tiles from Iznik, where the dominant motifs are stylized flowers and arabesque. Suleymaniye Mosque is a significant architectural complex within which there are many objects: turbets, madrassas, a hospital, a public kitchen, a bath and many more. All the major constructions of mosques in the Ottoman architecture include additional facilities that are functional and symbolically aimed towards different needs of believers.

Photo: Suleymaniye Mosque. Photo taken by Amar Cudic © Copyright Amar Cudic (http://www.level.ba)

Photo: Suleymaniye Mosque. Photo taken by Amar Cudic © Copyright Amar Cudic (http://www.level.ba)

Mosque of the Valide Sultan (or Yeni Mosque)

is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Eminönü district of Istanbul, near the famous Egyptian Bazaar, or as it is called the Spice Bazaar. It was ordered by Safiye Sultan, who was the wife of Sultan Murad III. The construction started in 1597 during the rule of Sultan Mehmet III, and was completed more than half a century later in 1660. The architect who made the initial project was Davut Aga, an apprentice of Mimar Sinan, while its completion was done by Mustafa Aga. The floor plan of the Yeni Mosque was very similar to Şehzade Mehmed Mosque. It stands out with the elegant forms and rich interior decorations.

Photo: Yeni Mosque. Photo taken by Elvira Bojadzic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Photo: Yeni Mosque, interior. Photo taken by Elvira Bojadzic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine
Main photo above: Yeni Mosque by night. Photo taken by Amar Cudic © Copyright Amar Cudic (http://www.level.ba)

Bayezid II Mosque

is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Bayezid Square area of Istanbul. It represents the best-known mosque which preceded the classical style. Located in the heart of old town, right next to the Grand Bazaar. Her architect of this mosque is Mimar Hajrudin, next to Mimar Sinan, the biggest name of Ottoman architecture. The author has a number of very successful and well known projects such as the Bayezid Mosque in Edirne. Bayezid II Mosque began in 1500 and completed in 1505. The design is that of a central dome held by semi-domes on all four sides.

Photo: Bayezid II Mosque by night. Photo taken by Elvira Bojadzic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Photo: Bayezid II Mosque. Photo taken by Elvira Bojadzic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Şehzade Mehmed Mosque

One of most important monuments of classic Ottoman architecture, the Şehzade Mehmed Mosque in Istanbul is comparable in size to other royal mosques built by the sultans in Istanbul, or other centres, like Edirne and Bursa.
However, this royal mosque, unlike most others, doesn’t carry the name of a Sultan. It was built between 1543-1548 by the Sultan Suleyman I, the Law-giver. However, it was dedicated to his son, prince Muhammed who died in 1543 in his 21st year. The building’s motive makes it unique and today it still represents a moving symbol of a father’s love for his deceased son.
The mosque is built in the historic core of Istanbul, in Fatih square, in the area which is home to a great many significant sites. It was built on what is called the third hill of Istanbul. Designed and built by Sinan, this was the famous architect’s first large mosque, since taking over, in 1538 the prestigious function of first architect of the Ottoman empire. However, with the Şehzade Mosque, he expresses his originality and even then, quite maturely, he presented what we shall call classic Ottoman’s architecture.

Photo: Şehzade Mehmed Mosque. Photo taken by Kenan Surkovic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Photo: Şehzade Mehmed Mosque. Photo taken by Kenan Surkovic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Yavuz Selim Mosque

is the second oldest existent imperial mosque in Istanbul overlooking the Golden Horn. The architect is assumed to be Ajem Esir Ali, who was originally a Persian. He was the main architect of the Ottoman empire, just before the Mimar Sinan. His name was linked to two other famous mosques, Selim Mosque in Konya and Gazi Husrev-Bey Mosque in Sarajevo. The interior plan of the mosque is a simple square room, 24.5 meters on each side, covered by a shallow dome 32.5 meters in height. This mosque is perhaps the most striking expression of the need of the Ottoman architects of the time to cover as much of the ground plan with a central dome. The floor plan is identical with Bayezid Mosque in Edirne, especially as both have two side rooms, connected with a central prayer hall.

Photo: Yavuz Selim Mosque. Photo taken by Kenan Surkovic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Photo: Yavuz Selim Mosque. Photo taken by Elvira Bojadzic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Murat Paşa Mosque

is located in the Aksaray district of Istanbul. It was built in 1473 and is one of the oldest Istanbul mosques since it was built only twenty years after the conquest of the city. Its founder is Murat Paşa, who was the vizier during the rule of Mehmed el-Fatih. The construction belongs to the Bursa style, with a central prayer hall covered with two identical sized domes. The concept of centralized space dominated by the main dome will be accepted much later during the classical style. The most interesting decorative-functional parts of the mosque are the stalactite decorations on the dome. External walls are made of stone and brick. Murat Paşa Mosque was the largest complex in the city donated by a vizier.

Photo: Murat Paşa Mosque. Photo taken by Elvira Bojadzic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Photo: Murat Paşa Mosque, two domes. Photo taken by Kenan Surkovic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Atik Ali Paşa Mosque

is an old Ottoman mosque located in the Çemberlitaş neighbourhood of Fatih district in Istanbul. It is one of the lesser known Istanbul mosques, but very important for understanding the development of Ottoman style. It was built in the heart of the city in 1497, close to the Bayezid II Mosque. It is not known who was its architect (at that time, the main architect of empire was Mimar Hajrudin). It was commisioned by Grand Vizier Atik Ali Pasha who was on that position from 1501 to 1503, and then again from 1506 to 1511. Inside the mosque the floor plan has many similarities with Fatih Mosque and Bayezid II Mosque, especially when it comes to the relationship between the central dome and the dome that sheltered the area above the mihrab.

Photo: Atik Ali Paşa Mosque, two domes. Photo taken by Kenan Surkovic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Photo: Atik Ali Paşa Mosque, two domes. Photo taken by Kenan Surkovic © Copyright Islamic Arts Magazine

Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque

was commisioned by the Mehmed Paşa Sokolović, the most important Ottoman Grand Vizier in history, originally Bosnian. He was Grand Vizier for three sultans: Suleyman the Lawgiver, Selim II and Murad III. The Mosque was built in 1572 in the Kadirga district in Istanbul. The architect was Mimar Sinan, who claimed that this is his most successful mosque of smaller dimensions. Inside the mosque complex is the famous Madrasah. The proportions of the mosque are well harmonized so the entire project leaves a remarkable impression on the beholder. The central dome and four corner domes dominate the space. The interior of the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque is famous for its large quantities of exquisite İznik tiles, set in a very wide variety of blue and green floral designs, with panels of calligraphy in white letters on a blue field which decorate the wall with a mihrab. The panels were painted with hatayi ornaments (large stylized flower patterns) and represent the highest range of ceramic tile art.

Photo: Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Photo taken by Velid Hodzic © Copyright Velid Hodzic

Nuruosmaniye Mosque

is located in the heart of the old Istanbul, next to the Grand Bazaar. Its size and beauty transcends all subsequent projects, and it could be said to represent, somewhat, a happy blend of European and classical Ottoman architectural style. Nuruosmaniye Mosque has a centralized area, with a dome diameter of 24,75 meters.
The construction of the Mosque started in the period of Sultan Mahmut I in 1748. However, he soon died, and his place as the sultan was replaced by the sultan’s brother, Osman III and he ruled from 1754-1757. The Mosque was finally completed in 1755 and got the name dedicated to the new Sultan, Nuruosmaniye (Osman’s Light). Both were buried beside the Yeni Mosque, so there is no sultan’s grave next to the Nuruosmaniye Mosque.
The development of Ottoman architecture can be divided into several periods, including the most contoversal Baroque period, when artistic ideas from Europe were slowly starting to penetrate the Ottoman art. Nuruosmaniye Mosque was built in the Baroque style that includes the entire 18th century, although later in the 19th century buildings bear a strong stamp of the West as well.

Photo: Nuruosmaniye Mosque. Photo taken by Amar Cudic © Copyright Amar Cudic (http://www.level.ba)