“Great Mosque of Sultan Abdulmejid”, it was called. Formally the Büy ük Mecidiye Camii. This beautiful structure before you is also known as Ortaköy Mosque. Sultan Abdülmecid I commissioned it. The Ortaköy Mosque graces Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait. It stands proudly at the Ortaköy pier square.
The Ortaköy Mosque is more than just a building. It is a symbol of the Ortaköy district. It is often photographed. Why? Because it offers a unique view. This view captures both the Bosphorus Strait and the Bosphorus Bridge.
Previously a smaller mosque stood here. It was built in 1720. Sadly, the Patrona Halil Uprising of 1731 ruined it. Sultan Abdülmecid I then commissioned the current Ortaköy Mosque. Construction finished around 1854 or 1856. Exact dates vary among historians.
Garabet Balyan and his son Nigoğayos Balyan designed it. This Armenian father-son team were the architects. They also designed nearby Dolmabahçe Palace and Dolmabahçe Mosque.
The Ortaköy Mosque faced challenges. The 1894 Istanbul earthquake damaged it. A minor fire in 1984 also took its toll. These events led to several repairs and restorations. After the earthquake, the Ministry of Foundations repaired the mosque in 1909. The original fluted minarets were replaced. Austere masonry work replaced them. The mosque’s single dome was initially built of bricks. Cracks appeared over time. By the 1960s the building leaned. The dome was ready to collapse. Foundations were reinforced. A new concrete dome was constructed. The Ortaköy Mosque reopened in 1969.
A three-year restoration concluded in 2014. It cost almost 7 million liras. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the reopening ceremony. He was Prime Minister then.
The Balyans embraced an eclectic style. They mixed European Revivalist trends with Ottoman Baroque elements. Neoclassical designs appear. The Ortaköy Mosque stands out with ornate stone carvings. This sets it apart from other mosques of the period.
An imperial apartment exists for the sultan. It is two stories with a U-shaped plan. The main prayer hall has a square plan. A dome covers it. Carved stone reliefs decorate the facades. These columns give the mosque a dynamic appearance. Two rows of windows illuminate the Ortaköy Mosque. The reconstructed dome is concrete. Stone builds the two slim minarets. Balconies on the minarets resemble Corinthian capitals.
Compared to other mosques, the Ortaköy Mosque is small. Inside it feels spacious. Tall windows refract light. Daylight floods in. Marble and porphyry were used. These materials created the mihrab and minbar. Trompe-l’œil frescoes adorn the dome’s interior. These frescoes were new to Ottoman architecture. Abdülmecid I introduced them. These paintings depict niche-like windows and rows of mihrabs. They blend Neo-Renaissance style with Islamic elements. Abdülmecid I himself created calligraphy panels. He was a skilled calligrapher.
Look closely at the Trompe-l’œil paintings inside the dome. Notice how they incorporate traditional Islamic designs. Consider too that Sultan Abdülmecid I was a calligrapher. His artistic touch enriches the Ortaköy Mosque.
Today the Ortaköy Mosque stands as a testament to Ottoman artistry. It reflects a blend of styles and resilience. It has survived earthquakes and fires. It represents Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Remember its history. The Ortaköy Mosque continues to inspire all who visit.