According to Wikipedia, Istanbul as the largest city in the middle east, and as the capital of the Ottoman Empire beginning in 1453, has the largest number of mosques of any city in the world.
During our visit we walked through many different parts of the city. Along the way we saw dozens and dozens of mosques, large and small, new and old. There are active mosques that are well maintained and those that have fallen out of use and are falling apart. Quite literally, anywhere you look in Istanbul you are likely to see a mosque.
These are just a few of the mosques we saw along the way.
Nusretiye Moque
An ornate mosque situated right across from the Istanbul Modern Museum and Galataport. This mosque was built between 1823 and 1826 by Sultan Mahmud II.
Zeyrek Mosque
Two Byzantine churches and a cathedral joined together. Dates back to the 1100’s and also known as the Monastary of the Pantokrator. Situated near Fatih Mosque looking over the Golden Horn and a roman aqueduct.
Fatih Mosque
At one of the high points of the city, this mosque was originally built between 1463 and 1470 on the site of the Church of the Holy Apostles. Rebuilt in 1771 after major damage in a 1766 earthquake.
Şehzade Mosque
Just to the south and east of Fatih Mosque, overlooking the Roman aqueduct from a different vantage. Commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificant and constructed between 1545 and 1548.
Rüstem Pasha Mosque
Built over the southern end of the Spice Bazaar. Market stalls run under the mosque (at least part of it) and steps run up from streets full of vendors along corners of this mosque. This mosque is blocks from the Golden Horn and was completed around 1563.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Located on the third hill of Istanbul providing an amazing across the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Features a large balcony from which you can see in several directions. Commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent and completed sometime around 1557. It is the largest Ottoman-era mosque in Istanbul.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (The Blue Mosque)
Located directly across from Hagia Sophia, this mosque was constructed between 1609 and 1617. The Ottoman-era mosque is one of the busiest mosques in Istanbul. We skipped it initially due to long lines, opting to go back first thing in the morning mid-week. It’s a beautiful mosque but we had other favorites above this including Fatih and Suleymaniye, both of which were far less crowded.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia was under major renovation when we visited. The entire outside covered with scaffolding. Likewise the interior had significant scaffolding as well. While it is now a mosque, this fascinating building has functioned as a church during the Eastern Roman Empire and more recently a museum. Hagia Sophia has been on this site in some form since roughly 360 AD.
Vilayet Mosque
A small mosque north of the Hagia Sophia and close by the Spice Bazaar. This mosque was built in the 1400’s before being destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in 1869.
Taksim Mosque
A far more modern mosque, completed in 2021 despite being planned since the 1950’s. Located on Taksim Square, another high point in Istanbul on the north side of the Golden Horn.
Büyük Mecidiye (Ortakoy) Mosque
Located directly on the water at Ortakoy along the Bosphorus. This mosque was commissioned by Sultan Abdülmecid I and completed in the mid 1850’s.
