Consider the stones under your feet here at Nur Camii. They whisper tales of sultans and architects. Nur Camii means “The Light of Osman”. It stands as a testament to a shift in Ottoman architectural style. It embraces the Baroque influence that swept through Europe in the 18th century.
This story begins in 1748. Sultan Mahmud I commissioned the Nur Camii. He wanted to revive a tradition. Every sultan should have his own imperial mosque in Istanbul. Sadly, Mahmud I died before its completion. His brother Osman III finished the work in 1755. He then gave the Nur Camii its name.
Look closely at the details. Nur Camii was the first monumental Ottoman building. It showcased the new Ottoman Baroque style. This style incorporated Baroque and neoclassical elements. These came straight from Europe. See the curved courtyard. Notice the ornamentation. These display its Baroque influences. The dome is one of the largest in Istanbul. It lets light flood the prayer hall. This inspired the name Nur Camii.
The location of Nur Camii is significant. It sits near the Forum of Constantine. The Column of Constantine still stands tall. The Grand Bazaar surrounds the mosque. This area was commercially active. Sultan Mahmud I wanted to remind people of the state’s presence. This was during a time of political and economic trouble.
Pause for a moment to appreciate the architect. A Greek non-Muslim named Simeon Kalfa designed the Nur Camii. This was a first. Never before had a non-Muslim architect overseen such a major project. His chief assistant was Christian named Kozma. Most of the stonemasons were also Christian. Both Simeon and Kozma received robes of honor at the opening. This reflected the growing status of Christian craftsmen.
Now, consider the architecture of Nur Camii. The prayer hall is covered by a large dome. It is 25.4 meters in diameter. It reaches 43.5 meters high. This makes it the third-largest historic dome in Istanbul. Only Hagia Sophia and Süleymaniye Mosque are bigger. Iron bracing supports the dome. It runs from the floor to the ceiling. The exterior of the dome features arches with many windows. These windows flood the interior with light.
Step into the courtyard. It has an unusual horseshoe shape. This was unprecedented in Ottoman mosques. The doorways have mixtilinear profiles. They combine different curves. The central doorway has a sun motif carved in stone. Inside the prayer hall two-story galleries flank the space. These galleries have spaces for muezzins and the sultan’s loge. This eliminated the traditional platform in the middle. The minbar features exuberant Baroque carvings. Stone decoration features a new style of capitals. The hall is lined with golden Qur’anic calligraphy. Medallions show the names of Allah and Muhammad.
The Nur Camii complex includes other structures. These support its role as a religious center. A three-story building connects to the mosque. This granted private access to the sultan. The library has an oval floor plan. It once held over 5000 volumes. A tomb sits south of the library. It houses the remains of Shehsuvar Sultan. She was the mother of Osman III. The complex includes a madrasa and a public soup kitchen. A sebil once dispersed water to the public.
From 2010 to 2012, a major renovation took place. Workers resealed the leaking domes. They cleared the drainage systems. They sandblasted the blackened walls. During the renovation, workers found older hand-drawn ornaments. They also discovered an active cistern. The cistern covers 2,242 square meters.
Today, the Nur Camii is a historic site. It is a place of worship. It reminds us of Istanbul’s rich past. It is a blend of Ottoman and European styles. Nur Camii stands as a symbol of cultural exchange.