Doesn’t the Yeni Camii stand majestically near the Galata Bridge? It is a defining piece of Istanbul’s skyline. The New Mosque is not really new. Its story starts in the late 1500s.
Safiye Sultan, mother of Sultan Mehmet III, began the construction in 1597. She chose Da’ud Aga, a student of Sinan, as the architect. However, construction faced problems. Water seeped into the site. Funding became difficult. When the Sultan died, construction stopped. Safiye lost her power.
Years later another Queen Mother, Turhan Hatice, mother of Mehmet IV, finished it. She completed the New Mosque.
Look at the mosque’s exterior. Notice the courtyard and two slender minarets. See the domes cascading from the center. Pigeons flutter about making nests. The New Mosque’s exterior is beautiful.
Inside, Iznik tiles adorn the walls. Gold and marble add to the beauty. The New Mosque holds history inside.
The central dome reaches 36 meters high. Its diameter is 17.5 meters. It rests on four semi-domes. These are supported by four pillars. The design resembles the Sehzade Mosque. Mimar Sinan built that mosque.
Consider the Sultan’s Pavilion. It connects to the mosque’s northeast corner. Safiye Sultan commissioned it. Turhan Hatice Sultan finished it in 1663. The Sultan and family used it before and after prayers. Turhan Hatice Sultan spent Ramadan there.
The pavilion has three rooms. An L-shaped sofa leads to the mosque. Over 10000 Iznik tiles decorate the pavilion. The Main Room is most luxurious. It has carved wooden ceilings. Iznik tiles display verses from the Quran.
The New Mosque was part of a larger complex. It included a hospital, school, and fountain. The Spice Bazaar provided revenue for the complex. Today, only the Spice Bazaar remains.
Turhan Hatice Sultan is buried in the courtyard. Sultans Mehmet IV, Mustafa II, Ahmet III, and Mahmut I also rest here.
The New Mosque Square is a place to relax. It has a fountain, benches, and a cafe. The Valide Sultan Fountain is nearby. Turhan Hatice Sultan built it in 1663.
The New Mosque stands as a testament. It shows the power of Ottoman Queens. It displays architectural beauty. It connects us to Istanbul’s past. Take a moment to appreciate this historical treasure.