Beneath the single dome of Hesna Gündes Cami a quiet peace resides. This mosque in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district is more than just a place of worship. It’s a testament to faith and family. It stands proudly a symbol of devotion.
Hesna Gündes Cami wasn’t always here. Its story begins in the late 1980s. A 1040 square meter plot was set aside within the Hareket housing complex in Kültür Mahallesi. Ali Gündes a generous benefactor built the 400 square meter mosque. He dedicated it to his mother Hesna Gündes. The construction started in 1989 and was completed in 1990. Architect Zühtü Güler designed this beautiful structure.
The Hesna Gündes Cami isn’t just a mosque. Beneath it lies a neighborhood health clinic. This too was a gift from Ali Gündes. He named it after his father Şaban Gündes. It was then donated to the Ministry of Health. This thoughtful addition underscores the mosque’s role in the community. It’s a place of both spiritual and physical well-being.
Step inside Hesna Gündes Cami. Notice the small foyer. It’s designed with beautiful shoe racks. Shoes are left here maintaining a high level of hygiene. The main prayer hall is dominated by a large single dome. It rests on four pillars. Look up. The dome’s interior is stunning. It features calligraphy of the Fatiha sura in red blue and dark blue. The dome itself is topped with a copper covering. Twenty stained glass windows circle the dome base. Beautiful Esma-ül Hüsna calligraphy adorns them.
The walls are clad in paneling up to 1.5 meters high. Above the paneling intricate calligraphy decorates the walls. The mihrab minbar and pulpit are crafted from Kütahya çini. The mihrab features calligraphy. It includes Ayet-el Kürsi and a verse from Surah Sad. The calligraphy was added in 2004 and 2005 by Mehmet Kaynak and Mehmet Osman Gürbak respectively. Verses from Surah Tawbah and the names of the Rightly Guided Caliphs are on the side walls.
The women’s gallery above the main hall is quite spacious. It is about 120 square meters. It has its own entrance and a separate Qur’an course room for students. There is also a single elegant chandelier that hangs from the dome’s apex. It illuminates the mihrab. Four rectangular stained-glass windows on each level further brighten the space. The floor is covered with terracotta-colored prayer rugs.
A single slender minaret rises beside the mosque’s eastern wall. The mosque grounds include two houses for officials. A Hızır Emergency Center and a health clinic are also here. There are also newly renovated ablution areas and restrooms. The mosque is managed by the Turkish Religious Foundation. It has one imam and houses a significant congregation. During Friday and holiday prayers it can hold 600-700 people. The Hesna Gündes Cami stands as a vibrant center of faith in Istanbul. A place where community spirituality and care intertwine.