Observe religious activities and admire architectural grandeur at the Beyazit Mosque (Beyazit Camii). With its columns, domes, minarets and tombs, this ancient Ottoman landmark commands an impressive image at the heart of Beyazit Square. Be one of hundreds of visitors that come to Beyazit Mosque daily to pray, pay their respects to sultans and appreciate the striking artistic designs.
Founded in 1501 on the order of Sultan Beyazit II, the mosque took five years to reach completion. The landmark was the second mosque erected in the city following the Ottoman’s capture of the Byzantine capital. It’s also the oldest still-standing Ottoman mosque in Istanbul. Fatih Mosque predates it but was rebuilt to a different design after severe earthquake damage.
Pass through the ceremonial gateways to a courtyard with a colonnade of 24 columns, each topped by a dome. Gaze up at the two minarets and the central dome, surround at its base by 20 windows. The entire structure is constructed from rocks and materials removed from the ruins of Byzantine churches. Note the use of granite, marble and verd antique.
Several mausoleums sit at the rear of the building. Positioned side by side is that of Bayezid II and his daughter Selçuk Hatun. Look also for the tomb of the Ottoman statesman Mustafa Resid Pasha. Another notable feature of the complex is the elegant former almshouse, which now houses the Beyazit State Library.
The opulent interior bears similarities to Istanbul’s Hagia Sofia. Daylight floods in through dozens of artistic stained-glass windows to a hall dominated by tall arches and imposing pillars. Pay attention to the stalactite-like adornments of the central dome, chandeliers and painted floral motifs.
Find the mosque in the center of the Fatih district, which was the historical center of Constantinople. Public buses and trams stop nearby and Sirkeci railway station is a 20-minute walk away.
Beyazit Mosque is open daily to visitors and admission is free. It’s an active place of worship, therefore closed to non-Muslims during prayer times. Street vendors sell antiques, collectibles and handicrafts on the streets that surround the complex.
