Is it just me or does the name “Cihangir Camii” echo through the centuries? This beautiful mosque stands here as a testament to love and remembrance. Let’s uncover its story.
The Cihangir Camii is in the Beyoğlu district. More precisely it is on the Cihangir slope in the Pürtelaş neighborhood. It is a significant landmark in Istanbul. The first mosque was built in 1559.
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had it built. It was a tribute to his son, Şehzade Cihangir. Mimar Sinan, the famous architect, designed it.
Now, here’s a twist. The original Cihangir Camii didn’t survive. Earthquakes and fires repeatedly destroyed it. The mosque you see today is largely a result of an 1889 renovation. This was ordered by Sultan Abdülhamid II.
Notice the rectangular layout. The mosque sits on sloping terrain. Retaining walls support the courtyard. There are two gates. The dome is 14 meters in diameter. Its four arches have corner towers adding to the structure’s grandeur.
The arch walls feature wide fan windows. These windows allow light to flood the interior. The dome and pendentives are covered in lead.
Take a closer look at the fountain. It’s built into the wall. In the courtyard lies Hasan Cihangiri. He was the sheikh of the tekke. On the east wall, you can spot a cistern. A marble plaque with relief work adorns the north wall.
The Cihangir Camii features a covered last congregation area. It has domes on either side. A cross vault is in the middle. Twin minarets with single balconies rise at the mosque’s corners.
Between 2015 and 2018, the General Directorate of Foundations restored the mosque. But during the restoration, something unfortunate happened. Thirty-nine calligraphic panels dating from 1868 to 1890 were stolen. These panels were then removed to a museum.
These panels were written by famous calligraphers. Names like Mustafa İzzet, Hâfız Ahmed Sünbülî, and Sami are among them. Also Râkım, Hasan Rıza, and Şefik contributed. Muhammed Fehmi, Muhammed Nazif, and Nazif also participated. And finally Ârif, Mehmed Tâhir, and Seyyid Ali created the panels. Alâeddin, Hasenî, Cerî, Mısrîzâde Ali Rızâ Üsküdârî and Şevki were involved too.
Despite its turbulent past, the Cihangir Camii remains a beacon. It watches over Istanbul. Its presence reminds us of love, loss, and artistic dedication. The Cihangir Camii carries stories within its walls. It connects us to a rich, complex history.