Turkey has been a geographical region bearing the traces of various cultures and civilizations throughout history. This rich historical heritage includes the captivating and diverse religious structures of the country. In this article, we will explore Turkey’s most magnificent and awe-inspiring mosques.
Each of these mosques holds its unique historical and aesthetic value, offering mesmerizing examples both from a religious and architectural standpoint. These religious structures reflect the richness of Turkish Islamic art and are an integral part of Turkey’s cultural heritage. In this article, we will briefly explore some of these significant constructions, starting with the most famous mosques in Turkey, Sultan Ahmet Mosque and Suleymaniye Mosque.
Sultanahmet Mosque (Istanbul)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, an immense mosque built by Sultan Ahmet I of the Ottoman Empire and designed by Mimar Sedefkar Mehmet Aga. This mosque, located in Istanbul, is a fascinating piece of art reflecting the aesthetics of its time. The interior of the mosque is covered in Iznik tiles, featuring a spacious courtyard and an impressive white pulpit.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque is positioned just across from Hagia Sophia, allowing a striking comparison between two great landmarks. Built in the 17th century, it is the work of the architect Mehmet Aga, with construction commencing in 1609 under the rule of Sultan Ahmet I. The blue Iznik tiles, dome decorations, and stained glass details within the mosque radiate the elegance of Ottoman art.
Outside the mosque, there is a large courtyard and a white marble fountain. Access to the mosque can be obtained through three different gates, with the main entrance being particularly remarkable. The high dome and the spacious interior of the mosque provide a remarkable experience for visitors. Additionally, the details of the mosque, particularly the tiles and decorations, create a captivating visual spectacle.
One of the notable features of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the richness of its tile work. A total of 21,043 tiles were used in the decoration of this mosque. Among these tiles, you can find motifs such as tulips, carnations, pomegranates, rumis, and grapevines. The mosque’s numerous minarets are another distinctive feature.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque offers a captivating experience to visitors with its rich tile craftsmanship and the grandeur of both its interior and exterior courtyards. It is also distinguished by its additional buildings, including a tomb, madrasa, soup kitchen, pavilion, school, fountains, and upper rooms. The mosque’s six minarets set it apart from other mosques, making it an important example of Ottoman architectural heritage in Istanbul’s religious and cultural history.
Suleymaniye Mosque (Istanbul)
The Suleymaniye Mosque, constructed between 1551 and 1558 by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan upon the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, is a true architectural masterpiece.
The Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most significant examples of classical Ottoman architecture. It features a 53-meter-high dome and four minarets, each with three balconies. The mosque was completed in a remarkably short seven years, showcasing the architectural prowess of the era. It attracted attention from visitors all over the world upon its opening on June 7, 1557.
While its cost is reported to be 59 million akçes, Hammer claims that it cost 700,000 ducats, which would amount to an estimated two trillion in today’s currency.
The mosque sustained damage in a fire in 1660 and was subsequently restored.
The inner courtyard of the mosque was used as an arsenal during the First World War and survived another fire. It was finally restored significantly in 1956 by the Waqf administration, with the minarets, dome, and arches receiving thorough repairs.
The Suleymaniye Mosque has a total inner area of 3,500 square meters, with dimensions of 59 meters in length and 58 meters in width, illuminated by 238 windows. The mosque is supported by valuable granite and marble columns and features a royal lodge and muezzin mahfili (pulpit for the caller to prayer).
Aziziye Mosque (Konya)
The masonry of this mosque, constructed with cut Gödene stone, represents one of the finest examples of late Ottoman architecture.
The mosque, built between 1671 and 1676 by Şeyh Ahmed, was rebuilt in its present form in 1867 by Sultan Abdulaziz’s mother, Pertevniyal Valide Sultan, due to a fire that had occurred. This mosque, constructed in the style of Turkish Baroque, features minarets larger than its doors and windows, as well as two minarets with shadirvans, one at each end of the main entrance.
Selimiye Mosque (Edirne)
The Selimiye Mosque and Complex, an architectural masterpiece constructed on the orders of Sultan Selim II between 1568 and 1575, is a historic treasure designed by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011. The mosque features four elegant minarets, a magnificent dome, and an imposing appearance.
The Selimiye Mosque is also famous for its minarets. Each minaret has three balconies and represents a significant architectural achievement. The minarets have three separate staircases and reach a height of 85.67 meters, including the crescents. The exterior of the mosque is particularly impressive, especially with its minarets.
Furthermore, the mosque is renowned for its grand dome in the interior. The height of the dome is 42.30 meters, and the diameter is 31.30 meters. The interior represents one of the most magnificent examples of its time.
The mosque’s ceramic decorations were created in Iznik, a significant ceramic production center of the time, and include 101 different tulip patterns, contributing greatly to the mosque’s aesthetics.
The mosque’s surroundings include significant structures such as the Darül Sıbyan, Darül Kurra, Darül Hadis madrasas, the Muvakkithane (timekeeper’s room), and the library. In addition, the “Arasta,” designed by Mimar Sinan to provide income and support for the mosque, surrounds the mosque and serves as a platform.
The Selimiye Mosque and Complex is located in Edirne in the Marmara Region of Turkey and is recognized as a cultural heritage site by UNESCO. The mosque was added to this list in 2011, highlighting its significance in the preservation of cultural heritage.
Green Mosque (Bursa)
The Green Mosque, built in Bursa in 1419 by Çelebi Sultan Mehmed, is an important historical monument. The mosque has a “T” plan and was designed by the famous architect Hacı İvaz Paşa. The crown gate at the entrance is a beautiful example of Turkish stone carving, notable for its muqarnas (stalactite) hood. Green stone and marble were used in the arch.
The entire mosque’s decoration was carried out by the renowned artist Nakkaş Ali. Most of the mosque is covered in tiles. The interior walls, ceilings, alcoves, and passage porticoes are all adorned with tiles. The mosque’s tiles were crafted by a master named Mecnun Mehmet.
One of the most striking features of the mosque is its mihrab, which stands over ten meters high and is adorned with geometric motifs and flowers, making it one of the mosque’s most splendid regions.
Additionally, the mosque features exquisite examples of woodworking. The window covers and segmented domes have fine decorations. Inside the mosque, you can find a beautiful fountain with exceptional intricacy.
The Green Mosque has been regarded by historians and researchers as one of the most exceptional examples of Ottoman period works. Charles Texier once suggested that this structure could be the most exquisite work of the Ottoman Empire. The mosque gets its name from its green-tiled minarets and domes. This mosque is an important part of Bursa’s and Ottoman history.
Ulu Mosque (Erzurum)
The Erzurum Ulu Mosque, also known as the “Atabey Mosque,” was constructed in 1179 by the Saltuklu Emir Nasreddin Aslan Mehmet. The mosque houses a large central nave and three naves on each side for a total of seven naves. The structure measures 51 by 54 meters and is supported by twenty-eight freestanding pillars.
Throughout its history, the mosque underwent several renovations. In 1639, it was restored by Erzurum Governor Hüseyin Paşa, and in 1826, Ali Efendi. Further renovations were undertaken in 1858 and 1860. The mosque was last restored by the General Directorate of Foundations between 1957 and 1964.
The mosque contains a total of 40 columns, with a noteworthy 1826 restoration inscription. The mosque’s original mihrab wall was covered with a large pendentive dome, known as the “Swallow Dome.”
The mosque also has a single minaret on the right side, and it is accessible from inside the mosque. Unfortunately, the upper section of the minaret has collapsed. The mosque is illuminated by twenty-eight windows, with a significant restoration inscription from 1826 above the second window on the south side. The mosque’s architectural structure and historical renovations underscore its importance.
Great Mosque of Bursa (Bursa)
The Great Mosque of Bursa, built in the area where Orhan Gazi Park is located during the reign of Yıldırım Bayezid between 1396 and 1400, is the first among Turkey’s monumental mosques with multiple domes. The Ulu Mosque has twenty domes supported by twelve large four-angled piers. The construction of the Ulu Mosque began after Yıldırım Bayezid’s victory at Niğbolu in 1396. After the construction of the mosque was completed, the first prayer was led by Somuncu Baba in front of a congregation that included Yıldırım Bayezid, Molla Fenari, and Emir Sultan. The first imam of the Ulu Mosque was Süleyman Çelebi, the author of Mevlid.
The Ulu Mosque is an original example of Ottoman architecture, built with a unique architectural style. It has a rectangular plan with dimensions of 55 by 69 meters, totaling 3,165 square meters of interior space. It is the largest among Turkey’s Great Mosques.
Çamlıca Mosque (Istanbul)
The Çamlıca Mosque, located in Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the city’s largest mosques. Construction of the mosque began on March 29, 2013, in Üsküdar, and it was inaugurated on May 3, 2019. It is the largest mosque in the history of the Turkish Republic, with a capacity of 63,000 people and six minarets. The mosque covers an area of 57,500 square meters.