My new story about walks through central Istanbul is dedicated to another of the city’s iconic religious buildings. Not long ago, I wrote about the ruins of the Forum of Theodosius and the tower now used for weather alerts. Today, it’s time to focus on the architectural centerpiece of this district — the Beyazıt Mosque. It is considered one of the oldest Ottoman religious structures in Istanbul.
A Bit of History
The Beyazıt Mosque was built between 1501 and 1506. The patron of its construction was Sultan Bayezid II, the son of Mehmed II the Conqueror. Guidebooks to Istanbul note that the mosque’s architect is unknown, but it is believed to have been the relatively obscure Yakub Shah. Some suggest that Hagia Sophia might have served as the design inspiration — a hint at this can be seen in the galleries flanking the main prayer hall.
Beyazıt is the oldest large classical mosque in the city. Technically, the first such Ottoman structure in Constantinople was the Fatih Mosque, built immediately after the conquest of the city in 1453, but little of the original building survives, as it was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake in the 18th century. In contrast, the Beyazıt Mosque has remained intact in its original form.
As was often the case, the Beyazıt Mosque complex included other facilities: a hammam, a madrasa, a school, and kitchen buildings. Behind the mosque are several tombs, including the burial sites of Sultan Bayezid II and his daughter. In this same part of the complex, you can also see the former primary school building, which is now home to a Quran school.
How to Get There
The easiest way to reach the Beyazıt Mosque is by metro (Vezneciler – Istanbul University station) or by tram line T1 (Beyazıt–Kapalıçarşı stop). The Moovit app is handy for planning your route.
Entry to the mosque is free. Before entering, visitors must remove their shoes; women should cover their heads, and men are advised not to wear shorts in the prayer hall — although this last rule is often ignored.
On my blog, you can find many articles about Istanbul’s religious landmarks. Some of the most popular are my stories about the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque.
Have a nice trip!
