The Most Beautiful Religious Monuments in Istanbul
Turkey has an incredible history, home to some of the greatest empires and a strategic location that led to its control of some of the world's most lucrative trade routes. Its rich legacy has left a number of ancient structures such as mosques, churches, monasteries, and synagogues, reminiscent of bygone eras. I was seriously blown away.
Practical Tips
1) Ladies, bring a scarf to cover your hair & avoid shorts (same for gents).
2) Carry a small bag to store your shoes as no shoes are allowed inside.
3) Lines to enter Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace can be super long midday onwards. Arrive early.
4) Certain mosques only open for tourists outside of prayer times.
5) All the listed venues were free to enter.
Hagia Sophia
The architecturally stunning Hagia Sophia that stands today (3rd one after the first 2 were burned down) was built in the 6th century by the Roman Emperor Justinian as a cathedral, believed to be the world's largest church at the time. It was incredibly unique because of its scale, ambition, and design. Its architects decided to forgo traditional wooden roofs and instead placed its iconic dome on top of a square, using stone piers to support its weight.
The architects also pierced the base of the dome with 40 windows allowing light to seep through. In 1204, Constantinople was invaded by Western European crusaders who captured and looted the treasures of the Hagia Sophia. It became a mosque in 1453 with the Ottoman conquest. It was later converted into a museum in 1934, then turned back into a mosque in 2020, and remains a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Süleymaniye Mosque
The mosque was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleyman 'The Magnificent' on 1 of the 7 beautiful hills of Istanbul. It is just stunning, and relatively visitor-free compared to the Hagia Sophia. The mosque has 4 minarets with 10 balconies total, representing that Suleyman was the 10th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Every corner of the interior is decorated with stained-glass windows, Iznik tiles, calligraphy, a ring of lights, and an orange-red carpet. According to a wonderful man who showed me around, the architect left no detail to chance. There's a fascinating story about how the architect designed a room to collect soot from burning candles, which could then be made into fine ink for calligraphers.
The building also houses a medreses (place to study), a soup kitchen, a hospital, a hospice, and a Turkish bath. The founder Süleyman, his wife Haseki Hürrem Sultan (Roxelana), and the architect Mimar Sinan, are buried in the graveyard by the mosque.
Blue Mosque
The mosque, officially known as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, was constructed between 1609 and 1616, during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I. Its location right opposite to the Hagia Sophia was said to signify the triumph of an Islamic monument over a converted Christian church.
The mosque was built with 6 minarets which is said to have been a subject of contention at the time, as it implied equality with the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca. The mosque's interior walls are covered with more than 20,000 handmade blue Iznik tiles which include floral motifs, giving the place its popular name.
Note
The Blue Mosque was under heavy renovation during my visit in Aug 2021. There was very little to see inside, yet there were still long lines. Enjoy seeing the mosque from the outside in the meantime.
Saint Antoine Church
Known in Turkish as Saint Antuan Kilisesi, the church on Istiklal Street is the largest Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul. The church was originally built in 1725 for the thriving Italian community. In 1906, a new red-brick church was commissioned in a neo-gothic style.
Outside the church, there is a statue commemorating Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the man who would become Pope John XXIII. During the Second World War, he served as head of the Vatican's diplomatic mission to Turkey and lived in Istanbul for 10 years, earning the love and respect of the Turks.
Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque
The Yildiz Hamidiye Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque, commissioned by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, and constructed between 1884 and 1886. Its architecture reveals a combination of neo-gothic style and classic Ottoman motifs. It has 1 minaret, houses a blue dome with scattered stars, and has a Moorish interior said to be inspired by the Alhambra in Spain.
The mosque was built close to the Sultan's home purposely as he rarely ventured far due to fear of assassination. In 1905, just after Friday prayers, a carriage bomb exploded while he was still inside, killing 26 people. The Sultan came out unscathed.
Ortaköy Mosque
Situated on the waterside of the Ortaköy pier, this beautiful mosque is designed using neo-baroque style architecture. The mosque, also known as Buyuk Mediciye Mosque, was commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecid in 1853. The building has two single balcony minarets, a dome, and pink and white walls on the exterior.
As soon as you enter, you'll notice the 2 rows of tall windows which allow the sunlight to seep through. The mosque also has many low-hanging crystal chandeliers. The Bosphorus Bridge is just behind the mosque, so it's a picture perfect spot to capture both old and new Istanbul.
Nusretiye Mosque
The Nusretiye Mosque was built between 1823 and 1826, commissioned by Sultan Mahmud II. Its name 'Nusret' means victory, referring to the Sultan's victory in 1826 in abolishing the Janissary system. The architect, Armenian Krikor Balyan, designed the building in French Empire style.
There were many more beautiful places of worship that I would have loved to visit including the Rüstem Paşa Mosque, Şakirin Mosque, and an Armenian church. Unfortunately, there was not enough time. This warrants another trip.
