“Ever since I was a child I have been drawn to this modest mosque.” Perhaps, like me, you sense the history embedded in the stones of Fatma Hatun Cami. We stand in Üsküdar’s Bağlarbaşı neighborhood. This is where Selami Ali Efendi Caddesi meets Hatmi Sokak. Here the Fatma Hatun Cami stands. Its exact origins are shrouded in mystery.
The construction date and founder remain unknown. However, clues to its past exist. An inscription prepared by the poet Lebib Efendi suggests a reconstruction in 1762. This tells us the Fatma Hatun Cami has seen centuries pass. Imagine the Istanbul of that era. This mosque, a focal point for the community.
A dramatic event marked its history. In 1887, fire engulfed the Fatma Hatun Cami. Amidst the chaos, people feared the loss of the inscription above the door. It was moved across the street. It was placed on the Selami Ali Efendi Fountain. Thankfully, during a later restoration, the inscription was returned to its rightful place.
Look at the single minaret. It has one balcony. This detail speaks to the mosque’s design. After renovations completed in 2018, the Fatma Hatun Cami reopened for worship. For centuries prayers have been offered within these walls.
Interestingly, historical records once listed it as “Bağ Odaları Mescidi”. This name appears in older documents. Another mosque with a similar name existed in Kabataş. It raises questions. Were these mosques connected? Was there a single Fatma Hatun behind both? The answer remains elusive.
Take a moment. Observe the Fatma Hatun Cami. It stands on the busy Selami Ali Efendi Caddesi. This location connects it to the surrounding neighborhood. A neighborhood filled with stories of its own. Across the street once stood the Yeniçeri Kahvesi. It was a place of gatherings and events. Nearby stood the Hindu Tekkesi of Feyzullah Efendi. His tomb is still on the street.
The Fatma Hatun Cami is more than just a building. It is a testament to faith. It is a landmark. It is a repository of local history. It connects us to the past. It enriches our understanding of Istanbul.