Do you want to get a free taste of history, culture, and art? All of these items are available at any Mosque in Istanbul. Although it is free, no reservations are required. It's advisable to go at least 30 minutes after the Ezan (call to prayer). Friday mornings and early afternoons should be avoided.
As a centre of religious worship, you must follow strict etiquette guidelines. It is impolite to step in front of someone who is praying. You may photograph anything, but you must not use flash and must obtain permission before photographing individuals especially when they are praying.
Dress modestly: shorts below the knees, a t-shirt, and caps should be removed while in front of an altar. Women should cover their heads, chests, legs, and shoulders. To cover your hair and legs, you can borrow a headscarf and a shawl.
To help you plan your trip, below are the list of Mosques in Istanbul.
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
Sultanahmet Mosque is one of Istanbul's most spectacular Mosques. It is the Great Mosque of the classical period. After losing a war with the Persians, Ahmed I erected this beautiful Mosque near Hagia Sophia to re-establish his control. It is also close to Topkapi Palace. This Mosque, one of several entrenched in the city skyline, is the peak of two centuries of Ottoman architecture.
Sultan Ahmet paid for an additional minaret in Mecca to prevent being accused of arrogance for building a Mosque that rivalled the original one. It is one of Turkey's most magnificent Mosques. It is designed in such a way that the Sultan must bow his head when he enters the Mosque.
This Mosque and its surroundings are included as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This massive Mosque was erected by a student of Mustafa Agha, the Ottoman period's leading architect. The interior features 20,000 Iznik Tiles in white, green, and blue. The blue tiles are the reason behind naming it the "Blue Mosque."
Hagia Sophia Mosque (Ayasofya Camii)
It was the largest cathedral at the time when it was established as a Greek Patriarchal Cathedral. That is until the Ottoman assault seized the Byzantine Empire's capital. Istanbul developed to become the capital of the Muslim Ottoman Empire. As a result, the cathedral was renovated into one of Istanbul's most notable Mosques, equipped with four minarets to signify the empire's religion. It was the first religious structure to use Byzantine characteristics.
During the Republic Period, this location was converted into a museum in 1935. It was controversially turned back into a Mosque in Istanbul in 2020. This implies that it is completely free of charge.
Chora Mosque (Kariye Camii)
The fate of this building is identical to that of the preceding Mosque. It was constructed in the fourth century. It was converted into a Mosque in the 1500s, a museum in 1945, and then again into a Mosque in 2020.
Because the inside was uncovered and rehabilitated, the Byzantine Empire's effects may be seen. The mosaics on the interior walls are still evident, however, they are covered during prayer. The mosaics survived because they were plastered over rather than removed.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Mimar Sinan, the prominent architect of that era, designed the Süleymaniye Mosque, which has typical Ottoman architecture. This location had a profound impact on Sultanahmet. Interestingly, the red Dome of the Suleymaniye Mosques, like Sultanahmet, may have originated as blue. It also incorporates elements that are distinctive of Muslim architecture.
Süleymaniye Mosque was constructed in the 1550s and was Istanbul's largest Mosque until Çamlıca Mosque was built in 2019. The Süleymaniye Mosque offers panoramic views of the city and the Golden Horn. Nearby are the tombs of Suleiman the Magnificent, Hurrem Sultan, and the architect Mimar Sinan.
New Mosque (Yeni Camii)
The building of this cultural artefact began with one woman and finished with another, exemplifying the Sultanate of the Women Period. Because it was completed as a charitable deed, the Iznik tiles within are inferior to those found in other Mosques. Close to the Spice Bazaar, which was built to assist fund the construction of this Mosque complex.
Rüstem Pasha Mosque
Mimar Sinan, the key architect, designed it during the Ottoman era. It was named after Sultan Suleiman's son-in-law and Grand Vizier. It's worth visiting since it deviates from typical Islamic architecture by focusing on the inside rather than the outside.
Instead of a minimalist approach, Iznik Tiling is used effectively. If you do decide to go, you should also go to the Ali Pasha Mosque.
Fatih Mosque
We owe its architecture to the Greek Atik Sinan, who designed it in the 1460s and named it after Mehmed the Conqueror. It is reminiscent of Hagia Sophia, yet it is more similar to Iranian architecture than Byzantium.
This is the oldest and, until the Süleymaniye Mosque, one of the largest. Despite being rebuilt in 1776 after being destroyed by an earthquake, it preserves its original design.
Ortaköy Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Camii)
The Armenian Baylan Family designed this magnificent Mosque. You may recognize them as the designers of Dolmabahçe Palace. It was commissioned in the 1850s by Sultan Abdulmecid and features his calligraphy.
When illuminated at night, the neo-baroque design is captivating. The light refracted from the water has refracted into the inside. It's not the largest in the city, but it's very stunning.
Eyüp Sultan Mosque
It was originally constructed in 1458, five years after Constantinople became Istanbul, and was renovated in the 1700s by Sultan Selim since it was in ruins at the time. This is where Ayub Al-Ansaris is said to be buried. Furthermore, the traditional coronation ritual was conducted when the new Ottoman king was given the Osman sword.
Arab Mosque
Originally a Roman Catholic Church was erected in 1325 beside a church built-in 1233. In the 1470s, the Ottomans converted this location into a Mosque. This location was allocated to Arab Muslims who were expelled from Andalucia in 1492. That is where the name originates.
Given its history, it's no surprise that it's built-in an early Italian Gothic style, with lancet windows and a bell tower that was converted into a minaret. This is Istanbul's only Mosque that originated as a Roman Catholic Church. All of the others were Byzantine Orthodox Churches. Several Genoise tombstones discovered during reconstruction may now be seen at the Archeological Museum.
Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque
This is said to be the last magnificent Mosque built by a member of the Royal Family. It is also one of the most stunning Mosques where an assassination attempt happened. Abdulhamid II, the commissioner, was almost killed in front of the neo-Gohic and Ottoman-style place of worship.
Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque (Kılıç Ali Paşa Camii)
When Klç Ali Paşa commissioned Mimar Sinan to build a Mosque, Rüstem Pasha suggested that the great sailor build it on the sea. Instead of being insulted, Ali Pasha's House of Worship was erected on a man-made island in the middle of the sea. As successive generations have built the island, it is now set back from the ocean.
The Italian Ali Pasha became an admiral rather than a slave and was represented as Oggiali in Cervantes ‘Don Quixote’. This Mosque, unlike the other exquisite Mosques in Istanbul, was not influenced by Hagia Sophia. It is, instead, a scaled replicate. You might also like to spend some time in the beautifully renovated Turkish Bath.
Beyazıt Mosque
Following the conquest of Constantinople, the second large imperial Mosque complex was to be built.
Beyazıt is a significant cultural treasure. One of its numerous architects also built the former Fatih Mosque, which was built near the ruins of the Forum of Theodosis. In the Turkish Bath area, there is currently a Museum of Turkish Hammam Culture. The Istanbul Municipal Library is housed in a former madrasah (schools).
Nuruosmaniye Mosque
The Light of the Osman was named from the enormous windows that provide amazing illumination inside. The calligraphy is inspired by the Quran's "Verse of Light," and the crescents are made of stone rather than bronze. It is on the list of potential World Heritage Sites.
This is one of numerous Ottoman Baroque Mosques in Istanbul, located near the Grand Bazaar.
Çamlıca Mosque
This Mosque was created by two female architects as part of the Turkish Government’s MegaProject initiative and opened in 2019. It is influenced by some of the most well-known architects and features classical Ottoman architecture.
It features an art gallery, a library, children’s facilities, and conference halls. The women's department is equally as stunning as the men's. It is presently the largest Mosque in Istanbul. From here, one can view the Suleymaniye Mosque. It contains six minarets to reflect the six pillars of Islam.
Şakirin Mosque
In 2009, a private foundation (akir) built a memorial to Ibrahim and Semiha akir. It is Turkey's most carbon-neutral Mosque. It is also the first Mosque in contemporary Turkey designed by a woman. The design is inspired by Seljuk art, and the huge water drop glass chandelier is stunning. In fact, the women's department is equally as stunning as the men's.
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
Another of Sinan's designs, this time for Suleiman I's daughter. She possesses two. One for when the sun sets (Edirne) and another for when the moon rises (Üsküdar). This represents her given name, "sun and moon."
The Dome is 37 meters tall, and the hundreds of windows make this Mosque one of the brightest in the world. The Edirne Mosque's main gate is adorned with exquisite Mother of Pearl embellishments. It also features a functioning Turkish bath.
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