Ortaköy Mosque (Grand Mecidiye Mosque)

Standing right at the water's edge in the lively district of Ortaköy, the Ortaköy Mosque is one of the most recognisable sights in Istanbul. Its official name is the Grand Mecidiye Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Camii), after Sultan Abdülmecid, who commissioned it. With the 15 July Martyrs Bridge soaring behind it and ferries passing in front, it creates the classic picture of Istanbul where Europe and Asia meet across the Bosphorus.

History

The mosque was built in 1854–1856 on the site of an earlier 18th-century mosque, during the same period of Westernising reforms that produced Dolmabahçe Palace nearby. It was designed by the Armenian-Ottoman court architects Garabet Amira Balyan and his son Nigoğos Balyan, the same family that shaped much of 19th-century imperial Istanbul. Instead of the classical Ottoman style of Mimar Sinan, they chose a light Neo-Baroque design, with tall arched windows, carved stone ornament and a single dome resting on a square base.

Like many waterfront buildings, the mosque has been damaged over the years by earthquakes, fire and the constant movement of the sea. A major restoration completed in 2014 strengthened its foundations and returned the façades and interior decoration to their former brightness. Sultan Abdülmecid was a skilled calligrapher, and panels attributed to his hand are among the mosque's treasures.

What to See

Although small compared with the imperial mosques of the historic peninsula, Ortaköy Mosque is full of light. Large windows on every side let the Bosphorus reflect into the prayer hall, which glows in pastel tones beneath the dome.

• Neo-Baroque façade: carved stone details and elegant curved lines.
• Two slender minarets: with balconies decorated in the same Baroque spirit.
• Bright prayer hall: pink-toned marble, mosaics and a crystal chandelier.
• Calligraphy: panels associated with Sultan Abdülmecid himself.
• The waterfront square: the classic view of the mosque with the Bosphorus Bridge.

Visitor Tips

Entry is free. Visit outside the five daily prayer times, and remember that the Friday midday prayer is busy. Modest dress is required: cover shoulders and knees, women should cover their hair, and shoes are taken off before entering. The square around the mosque is one of Istanbul's best spots for photos at sunset, and the surrounding lanes are known for cafés, small shops and street food such as kumpir (stuffed baked potatoes) and waffles. Ortaköy is a regular stop on Bosphorus cruises and on city tours that follow the European shore from Dolmabahçe Palace towards Bebek, so it is easy to include in a full-day Istanbul tour.