The Turkish city of Istanbul is sometimes called the city of seven hills. In ancient Byzantium, which once stood where Istanbul is now, forums were usually located on top of these hills — public squares where trade and civic gatherings took place. During the Ottoman Empire, these squares were replaced by landmarks still famous today: on the first hill for example stands Topkapi Palace, on the third rises the famous Suleymaniye Mosque, and at the top of the sixth hill lies the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque complex. Today, we’ll take a short walk through its grounds.
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque: A Brief History
The mosque on the hill in the western part of the Fatih district was named after Mihrimah Sultan, the beloved daughter of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. One Istanbul travel guide mentions that Mihrimah Sultan was the wealthiest woman in the world during her time.
Mihrimah Sultan was a patron of Mimar Sinan, the architect who designed the mosque. Construction took place from 1562 to 1565. The mosque has only one minaret. According to legend, this was a subtle nod to the architect's unrequited love for Mihrimah Sultan.
In the past, the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque complex included a madrasa, a primary school, a mausoleum, a fountain, and several shops. Some of the commercial buildings were demolished during the expansion of a nearby road.
The dome of the mosque’s prayer hall reaches a height of about 20 meters, while the building itself is 36.5 meters tall. The façade features 204 windows, which is why the mosque is considered one of Sinan’s brightest architectural creations.
How to Get There by Metro
The mosque is located quite far from Istanbul’s major tourist attractions, but you can reach it by metro (Topkapi–Ulubatli station), tram, or metrobus (Edirnekapı station). You can easily plan your route using the Moovit app.
The mosque is active and open to worshippers, with free entrance. You’ll need to remove your shoes when entering the main building.
If you decide to visit, it makes sense to combine the trip with other sights in the area: after seeing the mosque, you can visit the Panorama 1453 Museum, walk along the Walls of Constantinople, or even head to the Yedikule Fortress — the walk there takes about an hour.
Have a nice trip!
