New Mosque (Yeni Cami)

Standing at the southern end of the Galata Bridge, its domes and two minarets reflected in the waters of the Golden Horn, the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) is one of the classic sights of Istanbul's waterfront. Its official name is Yeni Valide Camii, the "New Mosque of the Queen Mother", a reference to the two powerful royal women who built it.

History

Construction began in 1597 on the orders of Safiye Sultan, mother of Sultan Mehmed III. The first architect was Davut Ağa, a pupil of Mimar Sinan, and after his death the work passed to Dalgıç Ahmed Ağa. The site, close to the water, required deep foundations, and when Mehmed III died in 1603 Safiye Sultan lost her influence and the half-built mosque was abandoned. It stood unfinished for more than half a century and was damaged by the great fire of 1660. Turhan Hatice Sultan, mother of Sultan Mehmed IV, revived the project, and with the architect Mustafa Ağa the mosque and its complex were completed and inaugurated in 1665. Despite its long history, the name "New Mosque" stuck.

What to See

The mosque follows the classical plan perfected by Sinan, with a central dome supported by four semi-domes, and is raised on a terrace above the busy square. A large arcaded courtyard with a central ablution fountain precedes the prayer hall. Inside, the walls are faced with İznik tiles in blue, green and turquoise, and the mihrab and minbar are finely carved.

• The prayer hall – a bright space lined with İznik tiles and calligraphy.
• The courtyard – elegant domed porticoes around an octagonal fountain.
• The Royal Pavilion (Hünkâr Kasrı) – a private apartment reached by a ramp, where the sultan rested before prayers.
• Tomb of Turhan Hatice Sultan – part of the complex, also the resting place of several later sultans.
• The Spice Bazaar – built as part of the same külliye, its rents supported the mosque.

Visitor Tips

Entry is free and visitors are welcome outside prayer times. As in all mosques, remove your shoes, dress modestly and women should cover their hair. The steps in front of the mosque are a favourite place to watch the life of Eminönü, with its ferries, street vendors and the famous pigeons of the square. Sunset views of the mosque from the Galata Bridge are especially beautiful.

The New Mosque is the perfect start or finish for a walk through Eminönü: the Spice Bazaar is right behind it, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque is a few minutes away and the Bosphorus ferries leave from the piers in front. Inca Tour includes it in Istanbul city tours and Bosphorus cruise days, with licensed guides who explain the story of the two queen mothers behind it.