Friends, we are back in Istanbul! This time, I’d like to show you what Taksim Mosque looks like. The name of this structure is likely familiar to many travelers who have visited this Turkish city—after all, one of the most popular squares among tourists, as well as a metro station, bears the name Taksim.
History of Construction
Plans to build a mosque in this area emerged as early as 150 years ago. Around that time, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity was constructed nearby—it remains visible from Taksim Square to this day. The Muslim community proposed building a mosque near the square, but these plans were never realized at the time.
For a long time, there were no Muslim or even Turkish monuments or structures in Taksim Square. The first attempt to build a mosque here was made in the 1950s when the city municipality allocated land for the project. However, it was once again left unfinished.
Unsuccessful attempts to construct a religious building continued for decades. Finally, in 2017, construction of the mosque began. The work lasted for four years. According to the builders’ plans, the mosque was supposed to open on the first day of Ramadan, but the opening ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The complex was ultimately inaugurated in late May 2021.
During the construction of Taksim Mosque, architects took the surrounding architecture into account. They preserved a large stone reservoir, which is considered a historical monument. The low-rise building on the eastern side of the complex is often compared to a "skirt" for the mosque.
The mosque’s dome stands 33 meters high, while its minarets reach 64 meters. The complex can accommodate more than 5,000 people at a time. Additionally, there is a café and a bookstore on the premises.
A Route Through the Mosques and Churches Near İstiklal Street
The mosque is easily accessible by metro—the Taksim metro station, as mentioned earlier, is very close by. There are also stops for the funicular, the historic tram, and buses in the area. You can use the Moovit app to plan your route from anywhere in the city.
In my opinion, although Taksim Mosque is located in the tourist heart of Istanbul, it is not particularly popular with travelers compared to other Istanbul landmarks like Hagia Sophia or the Süleymaniye Mosque, which attract enormous crowds. This is likely due to the mosque’s relatively recent construction. However, if you are interested in religious architecture, you can plan a route through this district that includes Taksim Mosque, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, St. Anthony of Padua Church, and the small but very cozy Church of St. Mary Draperis.
Have a nice trip!
