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The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Istanbul, Turkey
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
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1. Aziz Mahmut Hudayi Mosque
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
The Aziz Mahmut Hudayi Mosque was built in 1594 by Ayse Hanim Sultan, the daughter of Mihrimah Sultan and the Grand Vizier Rustem Pasa, for Aziz Mahmud Hudayi who served as Qadi in Edirne, Egypt, Sham(Syria) and Bursa. He was a murid and khalifah and wrote about thirty works, seven of which are in Turkish. The mosque is part of a complex (Turkish: kulliye) that consists of a soup kitchen, a tomb, a library, a chamber for Sultans, a fountain, dervish rooms, a house for the sheikh and a bakery spread out over a total area of 10,000 square meters.
2. Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Turbesi
3. Camlica Camii
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By savomar - London, United Kingdom
We went to visit the mosque last week whilst we were in Istanbul, it was a quick drive through the Avrasya tunnel and we were there before we knew it, transport was easy. Mosque has huge under ground car parks which were free. The mosque itself is absolutely amazing with it 6 minarets, it has amazing views as it is settled on the camlica hill. The surrounding areas of the mosque were spotless very clean and very well looked after. must see.
4. Blue Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34,581 reviews
Built between 1609-1616, this impressive mosque has six minarets. Why is it called "Blue Mosque?" There are two stories: the first, more common one is that the interior is covered in Blue İznik tiles. The second is: many years ago, ancient sailors who sailed by the mosque on the Marmara Sea saw the blue colors of the sea reflected in the mosque.
Reviewed By TravelApopediatravel - Istanbul, Turkey
Blue mosque was built in the 1616 such a easy date to remember! It was built by architect Sefefkar Mehmet Agha who was the student of master architect Sinan who built around 400 buildings including Süleymaniye Mosque. So literally Architect Sinan is like Michelangelo of the Ottomans built Süleymaniye a true master piece and His student so student of Michelangelo has built Blue mosque and wanted to rival Hagia Sophia in terms of architecture. Hagia Sophia also inspired all the world but it was not constructed by Ottomans but by Romans so Ottomans always wanted to built amazing works, imperial mosques to surpass the Hagia Sophia so master Architect Sinan built Süleymaniye Mosque which is the biggest in İstanbul but it was not enough so after Architect Sinan died his student became the master Architect and built Blue mosque as the most beautiful work just infront of Hagia Sophia to rival it and decorated it with the best,highest quality blue tiles so that it was called as Blue mosque and has a great Architecture, perfect symmetry and harmony!!! Definitely Must see place!! But at the moment there is restoration you can just see a part of it!!!
5. Eyup Sultan Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,832 reviews
This mosque stands outside the city walls at the location where Hz Eyyubu El-Ensari, a noted Islamic individual, died in the assault on Constantinople in 670 AD.
Reviewed By istanbul455 - Ettalong Beach, Australia
A truly Tranquil garden, I actually visit this garden on all my visits, it’s on the route to the Bazzar up from all the local attractions, like blue mosque and Aya Sophia .
6. Hagia Sophia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43,620 reviews
This architectural marvel displays 30 million gold tiles throughout its interior, and a wide, flat dome which was a bold engineering feat at the time it was constructed in the 6th century.
Reviewed By AnLily
The Hagia Sophia Church-turned Mosque deserves a second look. Often, you need to look up & behind (at the exit and corner of upstairs former chapel) to spot the beauty that Islamic conquerors forgot or ignored in stripping its decor. Sadly, they plastered over the pure gold & silver Byzantine mosaics, which are only palely visible now. (The glowing ceiling and radiant upper walls of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem shows what the Hagia Sophia once would have looked like by brilliant candlelight inside.) The Byzantine influence of the Hagia Sophia is great; its architecture was copied by Ottomans and can be seen at the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) in Istanbul and in Cairo (“Blue Mosque” as well) at the Fortress governed by Mohamed Ali. Aside from the similarities, including windows and dome at the succeeding blue mosques, differences to the mosque-cathedrals revised by North African Caliphates in Cordoba also astound visitors. Whereas the archways and simplicity of Spanish architecture on the conquered Iberian peninsula resemble ancient Egyptian Coptic churches, the Hagia Sophia has an intricacy that dimly appears after centuries of contest. You miss the most impressive views by not taking the ancient Roman uneven ramp to the upper gallery (with jewellery stand!); it closes early and is only accessible until approximately 6 p.m. Beyond the Empress Lodge upstairs is the 6th century marble door, behind which is a handrail with 9th c. Viking graffiti. On the arches above are mosaic stars of David flanking emblems of crosses. If you proceed to the far wall and look back there’s an impressive Byzantine image of Jesus retained in gold. However, the marble was largely damaged by Ottomans and the statuary looted by Crusaders and Venetians. A portion of the mosaics (6-13 c) are being uncovered from behind imposing scaffolding. This Hagia Sophia beside Sultanahmet in Iznik (Nicaea) was built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned in the fire of Nika Revolt (532 AD) before being rebuilt. It was the site of the 7th ecumenical Church council in 787 CE (the first was also held there in 325 CE). It became strictly used as a mosque from 1331 under order of Orhan Gazi and modified with medallions or script of Koran inspiration by the architect Mimar Sinan. The remains of a 1,600-year old Byzantine basilica, St. Neophytos, is nearby--preserved as a museum under Iznik Lake as an inspiration of the original Hagia Sophia cathedral. In 1453 Mahmud II made severe changes to Hagia Sophia, the ancient base of the Orthodox Church, when he forced out the local Ecumenical faithful and hung the Greek patriarch George V—as well as executing the leading Orthodox bishops. Subsequent Muslim renovations continued 1847-49 during Abdulmecit’s reign. The Hagia Sophia was reconstituted as Museum under secularized state control after Ataturk ascended to power in postwar Turkey. General admission to the museum costs 60 TL/person. The ticket office accepts visa, as does the gift- and coffee shop. You can purchase a 5-day pass for 185 TL to save 169 TL on other attractions as well. Headsets are limited and available only for large groups. The last daily entry time is 6 p.m, and snack counters sell expensive refreshments outside the public washrooms (wood huts) on the museum grounds. If you have time and cash-only, the Basilica cistern is kitty corner to the Hagia Sophia entrance across the street /tram tracks. Combining these venues and/or the Blue Mosque nearby can be simply enjoyed with or without a guide. Tourist pamphlets in multiple languages are oddly placed beside the exit gates, not at the front of the former church and basilica.
7. Mihrimah Sultan Camii
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 380 reviews
Noted for its interesting construction and exceptionally high dome, this mosque was built in 1557 for the daughter of a Sultan.
Reviewed By Ivankuntara - Jakarta, Indonesia
Must visited mosque in Istanbul, to see the architect of Islam and the beautiful of Bosphorus Straits. You may see "beautiful" of the acoustic and air circulation technology here
8. Rustem Pasha Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,215 reviews
One of the smaller mosques in the city, it was built by Rustem Pasa in 1561 and is noted for the very fine tiles covering the interior and exterior walls.
Reviewed By ferdab_11 - Nanaimo, Canada
A bit tricky to find but worth it! From Yenikapi tram station, head towards the front entrance Egyptian bazar or Spice Market. Don't enter. Stay outside and follow the right hand side (if you are facing the entrance) of the market OUTSIDE past cheese vendors and etc. Continue on until you see (and smell the coffee) Mehmet Efendi Kurukahveci. Pass the coffee shop and turn right down the street before Mehmet Efendi's. Walk straight down for 5 minutes and the mosque will be on the right. You'll turn right to find the entrance I think. It is another masterpiece from Mimar Sinan, the celebrated Turkish architect. The combination of red carpets and the turquoise tiles is breathtakingly beautiful and because it is in a smaller scale than his other mosques, the impact is intensified. Remember women to dress modestly and bring a scarf to cover your head. There's no shortage of beautiful scarves around to buy if need be. This whole area is full of treasures if you are willing to look. I recommend having lunch at Saray Muhallebicisi back towards Yeni Cami. They are very good.
9. Yeni Camii
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,195 reviews
This mosque was positioned on a hill overlooking the harbor at Eminonu. Today, the local pigeons make their home in its graceful domes and arches.
10. Suleymaniye Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,206 reviews
Famed architect Sinan built this majestic structure for one of the greatest rulers of the Ottoman Empire. Although this mosque is less ornate, there are many similarities between it and the Hagia Sophia since the same architect was responsible for both.
Reviewed By ayeasha7865 - Swindon, United Kingdom
What an amazing and beautiful mosque - definitely worth a visit beautiful architecture beautiful grounds and you can see far across the city views are amazing.
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