Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya; Ancient Greek: Ἁγία Σoφία, romanized: Hagía Sophía; Latin: Sancta Sapientia; meaning ‘Holy Wisdom’) is one of the most historically significant structures in Istanbul. 125 Initially erected as a Byzantine church, it was the final of three consecutive churches constructed on the same location by the Eastern Roman Empire. Completed in AD […]

The Grand Çamlıca Mosque, also known as Büyük Çamlıca Camii, is located on Çamlıca Hill in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district and is a stunning architectural masterpiece. Finished in 2019, this mosque is not only the biggest in Turkey but also a stunning fusion of contemporary engineering with classic Ottoman elements. The Çamlıca Mosque has become increasingly […]

The Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Turkish: Rüstem Paşa Camii, is evidence of Ottoman Empire artistic and architectural inventiveness. Tucked in the vibrant Tahtakale area of Istanbul’s Hasırcılar Çarşısı (Strawmat Weavers Market), close to the renowned Spice Bazaar, this mosque is a canvas of exquisite tile work and sophisticated design rather than merely a place of worship. […]

The Fatih Mosque (Turkish: Fatih Camii), a significant architectural and cultural symbol of Istanbul, exemplifies the magnificence of the Ottoman Empire. Originally built on the revered grounds of the Church of the Holy Apostles between 1463 and 1470, this striking construction is situated off Fevzi Paşa Caddesi in the old Fatih district. Designed under Sultan […]

The New Mosque, also known as the Valide Sultan Mosque, is a significant landmark in Istanbul’s history. The mosque’s construction began in 1597 under the sponsorship of Safiye Sultan, the prominent wife of Sultan Murad III, and was interrupted for decades before being completed in 1665 thanks to the coordinated efforts and financial assistance of […]

The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque (Turkish: Mihrimah Sultan Cami) is an outstanding icon of Ottoman architectural grandeur that graces Istanbul’s historic skyline. This 16th-century mosque, commissioned by Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent’s famed daughter, and beautifully constructed by the legendary imperial architect Mimar Sinan, exudes spiritual and artistic majesty. Perched atop Istanbul’s Sixth Hill, near […]

The Şehzade Mosque, a 16th-century architectural masterpiece, exemplifies Ottoman imperial design. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent commissioned this mosque atop Istanbul’s third hill in the Fatih district to honor his son, Şehzade Mehmed, who died from smallpox in 1543. The edifice, also known as the Prince’s Mosque in English, is one of the early works of […]

The Eyüp Sultan Mosque (Turkish: Eyüp Sultan Camii) is one of Istanbul’s most hallowed landmarks, steeped in spiritual significance and Ottoman history. Nestled in the Eyüp district, this grand mosque complex enshrines the final resting place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Ebu Eyüp el-Ensari), a revered companion and standard-bearer of the Prophet Muhammad. His burial site, […]

The Süleymaniye Mosque, designed by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan from 1551 to 1557, serves as a significant representation of the era of Suleiman the Magnificent. Situated on the highest hill of Istanbul’s historic peninsula, the mosque serves as a significant emblem of the city’s cultural and architectural heritage. The structure serves as the […]

More often known as the Blue Mosque, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque is one of Istanbul’s most famous buildings. Sultan Ahmed I ordered the building of this outstanding mosque on the ancient peninsula between 1609 and 1617. Representing the pinnacle of centuries of religious and cultural development, the mosque is a flawless mix of Ottoman and […]