Could a gigantic bud really rise above Cologne’s skyline? Here before us stands the Ayasofya-Moschee. It is more than just a building. It is a statement. It is a place where tradition meets modernity. The Ayasofya-Moschee represents a unique architectural work. It welcomes people of all faiths to visit.
The Ayasofya-Moschee in Cologne is a central mosque. It was commissioned by German Muslims of the DITIB organization. DITIB is the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs. The mosque’s construction was not without controversy. It faced opposition. Yet, it won the approval of Cologne’s city council.
Designed in a neo-Ottoman style, the Ayasofya-Moschee stuns. Glass walls adorn its structure. Two minarets reach toward the sky. A dome graces its top. The Ayasofya-Moschee includes a bazaar. Secular areas promote interfaith interactions.
The Ayasofya-Moschee cost between 17 and 20 million euros to build. It aims to accommodate 1,200 worshipers. The main hall spans 2,000 square meters. Funding came from DITIB, bank loans, and Muslim associations. Even Cologne’s St. Theodore Catholic Church contributed. Gottfried Böhm and his son Paul Böhm designed the Ayasofya-Moschee. Paul Böhm specializes in building churches.
Inside the Ayasofya-Moschee, a main hall stretches 36.5 meters. Two 55-meter-high minarets stand tall. The bazaar and entrance occupy the ground floor. Lecture halls are in the basement. The prayer area is on the upper floor. A Muslim library enriches the space. A well connects the two levels creating a pleasant atmosphere. Flat wall screens form the dome in the center.
Glass walls offer visitors a feeling of openness. An inviting staircase from the street enhances this openness. Secular areas like the restaurant and stores welcome people of all religions. The architects dropped plans for shorter minarets. They felt it would leave them out of proportion.
The Ayasofya-Moschee first opened for prayer in 2017 during Ramadan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officially inaugurated it in September 2018. The inauguration was controversial. DITIB did not provide a satisfying security concept. Cologne permitted only 500 invited guests to attend. Henriette Reker, the mayor of Cologne, declined to attend. She lamented that Erdoğan’s presence overshadowed the mosque’s use before the event.
Author Ralph Giordano opposed the Ayasofya-Moschee. He feared it would empower the Muslim population too much. Markus Wiener of Pro Cologne shared similar fears. Pro Cologne organized protests against the Ayasofya-Moschee. Ralph Giordano stated it was an expression of creeping Islamization.
Marlis Bredehorst, Cologne’s official for integration, supported dignified houses of prayer for Muslims. Fritz Schramma, the mayor of Cologne, also supported the Ayasofya-Moschee. He believed Muslims needed a prestigious place of worship. Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne, expressed unease about the Ayasofya-Moschee.
The prayer hall rises like an unfolding bud. Concrete shells arrange in concentric rings with glass in between. Protection and openness interact. Tradition and modernity blend. East meets West. Lightness contrasts grandeur. The striking structure stands 30 meters high. Two delicate 55-meter-high minarets flank its sides.
Inside, the light-flooded domed hall features a blue carpet. Gold-colored stucco panels line the walls. Light streams through the glass elements. The building complex includes a shopping passage, a library, and a conference hall. An interior courtyard and an oakwood gallery add to its beauty. Semih İrteş and Hüseyin Kutlu designed the interior.
The Ayasofya-Moschee stands open to the public outside prayer times. Guided tours are available. Visitors can explore its beauty and significance. The Ayasofya-Moschee welcomes all. It is a symbol of Cologne’s diverse community. The mosque is open to public viewing outside of prayer times. It is highly recommended for visitors.