Grand Çamlıca Mosque

Rising from Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side of the city, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque is the largest mosque in Turkey and one of the newest landmarks on the Istanbul skyline. Its great dome and six slender minarets can be seen from across the Bosphorus, and the terraces around it offer some of the widest views in the city. For visitors exploring the Asian side, it makes a striking contrast with the Ottoman mosques of the historic peninsula.

History

Construction began in 2013 on Küçük Çamlıca Hill in Üsküdar, after a design competition won by two women architects, Bahar Mızrak and Hayriye Gül Totu. The mosque opened for worship in March 2019 and was officially inaugurated in May 2019. Although it is a modern building, its design deliberately follows the classical Ottoman tradition of Mimar Sinan, with a central dome supported by half-domes, a large arcaded courtyard and pencil-shaped minarets.

Many of its dimensions carry symbolic meaning. Four of the minarets are about 107 metres tall, a reference to the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, when the Seljuks opened the gates of Anatolia. The main dome is 72 metres high, said to represent the 72 nations of the world, and 34 metres in diameter, after Istanbul's licence-plate code. The mosque can hold around 63,000 worshippers inside and in its courtyards.

What to See

Beyond the prayer hall, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque is a complex with cultural facilities, including the Museum of Islamic Civilisations (opened in 2022), an art gallery, a library and a conference hall. Inside, the vast dome is lined with calligraphy and decorative painting, and huge chandeliers hang above carpets designed for the space.

• The main dome: 72 metres high, with calligraphy and an enormous chandelier.
• Six minarets: four of them about 107 metres tall, among the tallest in the world.
• The courtyard (avlu): a classic arcaded court with a central ablution fountain.
• Museum of Islamic Civilisations: exhibitions within the mosque complex.
• Panoramic terraces: views towards the Bosphorus, the historic peninsula and the Princes' Islands.

Visitor Tips

Entry to the mosque is free. Visitors are welcome outside the five daily prayer times; the Friday midday prayer is especially crowded. Dress modestly: shoulders and knees should be covered, women should bring a headscarf, and shoes are removed before entering the prayer hall. Keep your voice low and avoid photographing people at prayer. Sunset is a wonderful time to visit, when the lights come on and the city glows below. Çamlıca is best reached by car or taxi, so it fits easily into a private Istanbul tour of the Asian side, together with the nearby Çamlıca Hill viewpoints, Beylerbeyi Palace and the waterfront of Üsküdar.