Presidency of Religious Affairs Turkey
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Istanbul – known for its lively culture, gorgeous architecture, and rich history is a city everyone deserves to see within their lifetime. Apart from these unique qualities that are rare to find within one city – Istanbul is also one of the major Muslim-majority cities in the world. More than 90% of the city's population identify as Sunni Muslims. Therefore, you'll likely see mosques in every area you visit. The mosques are known for their beautiful architecture, detailed designs, elegant domes, and tall, gorgeous minarets. Whether you're a tourist looking to go sightseeing or have recently moved to the breathtaking city and are looking for nearby mosques to offer your five daily prayers in, this guide will narrow down the 5 most famous mosques in Istanbul to help make your stay in the city convenient and enjoyable.
Undoubtedly one of Istanbul's most popular mosques, the Blue Mosque is an Ottoman-era imperial mosque located in Faith, Istanbul, Turkey. The Blue Mosque is considered an iconic monument of the Ottoman area and also receives an influx of tourists every year, mostly because of its stunning architecture and historical significance. The mosque has a traditional Ottoman layout architecture with a central dome that is further surrounded by four semi-domes over its prayer halls. The mosque also has a primary school built over the boundary wall on the mosque's eastern side. Moreover, the mosque also includes a madrassa. However, the medium of education in the school and madrassa are likely to be in Turkish.
According to Ishak Kizilaslan, the Imam of the mosque, the mosque has the capacity to host 20,000 worshippers simultaneously. However, if you're planning on visiting the mosque as a tourist and may not necessarily perform your prayers there, it's worth noting that since the Blue Mosque is a working mosque, it is closed for 90 minutes during the time of the prayer and for around 2 hours during Friday afternoon prayers for tourists. Therefore, plan your visit accordingly. The mosque is a short walk from the bustling Sultanahmet tram stop.
You can also use a taxi to get there. However, since there is limited parking, especially during peak hours, taking a car is not recommended. You must also make sure to wear shoes that are easy to take off, as you will remove them once you get inside the mosque. You must also cover your knees and shoulders before entering. Headscarves for women are available and provided at the entrance of the mosque.
Designed by the legendary architect Mimar Sinan, the Suleymaniye mosque is another historical mosque located on the Third Hill of Istanbul. The mosque was the largest in Istanbul until the Camlica mosque was built in 2019. The mosque is open to visitors seven days a week. The visiting hours are from 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m., except during prayer times when it is closed to visitors. Entry is free. However, donations are always encouraged if you're able to donate. The mosque has a strategic location with a mesmerizing view. Due to its gorgeous location on The Third Hill, the mosque commands a magnificent view of Istanbul across the Golden Horn.
Apart from this, the mosque isn't located too far away from other must-visit locations such as the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Bazaar. Like most other iconic mosques in Istanbul, the Sulemaniye mosque also has an entrance with a forecourt and a fountain. The exterior of the mosque is decorated with blue-colored, rectangular-shaped iznik tile window lunettes. Moreover, behind the mosque, there is a gorgeous garden with two mausoleums, including the tomb of Sultan Sulayman I and his wife Roxelena, his daughter, mother, and sister. You can also find the tomb of Mimar Sinan – the imperial architect, just outside the mosque's walls.
Considered one of the world's greatest monuments, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as a Christian Church in the 6th century. Over the years, the mosque turned into a mosque, a museum, and then a mosque again. The iconic building pays homage to the religious changes the city has witnessed over the years with its minarets of Islam and the mosaics of Christianity. The mosque is open to visitors throughout the year, apart from times of the day when prayers are being offered inside the mosque. If you're going to offer prayers in the mosque, particularly for Friday prayer, be mindful of the traffic and the influx of people. Make sure you arrive on time and avoid taking your car.
Hagia Sophia also does not have an entrance ticket. So, be mindful of the scammers. If you're also interested in learning more about the mosque's history and Turkish culture, make sure to take a short visit to the museum portion of the building. You can get to the Hagia Sophia either by walking 25 minutes from the Grand Bazaar or by taking the tram from Sultanahmet and Gulhane station. Another option is to take the Marmaray from the Sirkeci station and walk for around 15 minutes to get to the magnificent mosque.
Another Ottoman masterpiece – the new mosque is located in the Eminonu area of Istanbul. Situated on the Golden Horn, the mosque serves as a great example of the Sultanate of Women period in the Ottoman Empire. The mosque has a marvelous exterior with 66 domes and semi-domes designed in a pyramidal arrangement, along with two minarets. It also has a courtyard on its western side and an ablution fountain in the center. Since it's a working mosque, it is closed to visitors during prayer times. Yeni Camii, or the New Mosque, is located in the hub of transit called Eminonu. So, getting to the mosque should not be too difficult considering the several transportation options available.
You can take a taxi, a bus, a tram, or even a ferry to reach Eminonu. The mosque is also within walking distance from Sultanahmet and easily reachable from Istanbul's peaceful Asian side. While you're at the mosque for prayers or even sightseeing, you can also take a short walk to Eminonu Square, Spice Bazaar, and Eminonu Pier. The mosque is open from 09:00 to 06:00 to visitors and non-worshippers. The mosque does not have any entrance ticket. So, be mindful of scammers, and dress appropriately for the mosque.
A mesmerizing mosque built in the 19th century, the Ortakoy mosque is situated on the waterside of the Ortakoy Pier square; the mosque is one of the most popular mosques in Istanbul and one of the most famous locations on the Bosphorus. The mosque has a unique architecture – mixed with European revivalist trends and traditional Ottoman Baroque styles. Although not the biggest, the mosque has a wide and spacious prayer area for worshippers to pray in. Getting to the mosque is relatively easy. You can either catch a bus from Taksim, or if you're in the Sultanahmet area, you can take the Kabatas tram and hop on a bus (either 22, 22RE, or 25E). There is no ticket or entrance fee into the mosque. However, you can donate to the mosque if you wish.
| Fajr | Duhur | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:23 | 12:55 | 15:25 | 17:48 | 19:12 |