The list of famous mosques in Turkey goes on forever, and should one manage to visit them all, they will discover a tale of Islamic prayer and worship covering this land for centuries. From the famous Sultan Ahmet Mosque to the lesser-visited Sanki Yedim building, everyone is impressed by semi-domes and tall minarets.
Their ancient designs marry well with modern geometric designs that now see architects taking places of worship to another level. Even historical sites are still in use, reflecting the rich culture of cities across Turkey. So, in this article about these beautiful mosques, we look at what to know about these famous buildings in Turkey.
Famous Mosques in Turkey That Impress Everyone
Style of the Buildings
Usually situated within a courtyard, the first notable structure is the Sardivan, with taps and stone platforms for sitting down. This helps pray-goers obey the rituals of cleansing their heads, feet, and hands. After taking off shoes and entering through the main entrance doors, an immense sense of space is evident because of the large carpeted middle section. Upon entering, followers quickly kneel and bow their heads to the ground as a mark of respect for Allah.
Replicas of living things, human or animal, are forbidden, so statues are non-existent. Instead, expect abstract décor and calligraphy. The tulip-shaped flower, widely cultivated and respected by Ottomans, occasionally appears because the letters are anagrams for Allah.
Visible from most interior points, a niche marking on the wall called a mihrab shows Mecca's direction while the imam uses the Minbar to deliver his sermon. Lastly, the upper section has a screened-off area for women.
Visiting Mosques in Turkey
All mosques around Turkey perform the call to prayer five times a day using a loudspeaker system within the minaret, a tall tower structure projecting from the roof. Prayer times adhere to sunrise and sunset, so they change throughout the year but are more frequent at nighttime, with a significant break in the morning, allowing followers to go about their daily business.
Since Turkey is a secular society, a Muslim doesn't need to attend all five prayer sessions. Indeed, some Muslims only go on Fridays, the holy day of Islam, which is the Christian equivalent of Sunday. Non-Muslims can visit outside prayer sessions, but they must be respectful when taking photographs, observe the silence, and leave food and drink outside. Everyone should take their shoes off, cover their shoulders and knees and women should cover their heads with a scarf.
1: Blue Mosque in Istanbul (Sultan Ahmed)
Istanbul, nicknamed the city of minarets because of countless mosques on every corner is where to visit first. Of them, the Blue Mosque attracts the most tourists. It is in the Sultan Ahmet district opposite the famous Hagia Sophia in the European city part. The architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha put much effort into its construction.
Built-in 1616, the building, which took its name from interior blue tiles and six minarets, caused outrage at the time of construction because locals viewed it as a rival to Mecca. Also called Sultanahmet Cami, this previously imperial place of worship has a raised platform called a loge used by Ottoman sultans during prayer time. With over 250 windows, the generous natural daylight highlights this top tourist attraction.
2: Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul
Another stunning building of Turkey’s largest city and most popular tourist destination is the Suleymaniye mosque, a UNESCO Heritage site built in 1558 on the third hill of Istanbul under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. As Istanbul's second-largest Mosque with excellent Islamic art, a tomb here belongs to Mimar Sinan, the most famous Ottoman architect. He built numerous structures for Ottoman sultans who demanded pure excellence. An exciting story is that some people were jealous of the architect Sinan Pasha, so they told the Ottoman sultan that he was smoking hookah inside.
3: Ulu Cami in Bursa
Heading to nearby Bursa, the 14th-century Ulu Cami pre-dates the abovementioned examples. Admiration comes from the ancient calligraphy adorning walls and columns, and the imperial complex features Seljuk architecture and 20 mini domes. Ordered by Sultan Bayezid the 1st in 1396, this historic structure sits with other landmark buildings in Bursa. Many people flocked from Istanbul on overnight trips because Bursa was the former ruling capital of the Ottoman Dynasty before they conquered Constantinople.
4: Edirne Old Mosque
The highly respected Mimar Sinan likewise built the former Ottoman imperial mosque of Edirne in the 16th century as his masterpiece. Dominating the skyline with the nine domes and four elegant towering minarets, the complex uniquely doesn’t have a courtyard. Just 11 eleven years later, the chief architect, Mimar Sinan, died, but he left behind a legacy. No one else after him could match his abilities, and with him, a decline in Islamic architecture set in. Mimar Sinan's exceptional reputation is set in stone.
5: Grand Mosque in Mardin
This beautiful building, constructed between 1184 and 1200, features a magnificent dome supported by six sturdy piers and exemplifies Islamic design. The single minaret, completed in the late 19th century, dominates the skyline, and impressive porches and an ornately decorated fountain are characteristic of Mardin. Some scholars say the Grand Mosque was originally a Christian church. Regardless, the blend of styles reflects Mardin's diverse history.
6: Rustem Pasha Mosque in Istanbul
The Rustem Pasha Cami in Eminonu, Istanbul, amplifies Ottoman architecture in everyday life. Inaugurated in 1561, Rustem Pasha, the grand vizier of Sultan Suleyman Kanuni, ordered the construction. 16th-century Iznik tile decorations adorn the walls and ceiling and exhibit stunning floral themes.
7: Ulu Cami in Diyarbakir
Ulu Cami, in Diyarbakir, is one of Turkey’s oldest mosques. Originally constructed in 639 AD and restored in 1092 using ancient materials from ancient Mesopotamia, the landmark spans 80 x 80 metres. The building earns fame for the rectangular minaret and beautifully decorated walls alongside the 1849 fountain.
8: Divriği Grand Mosque & Darüşşifası
The Divriği Grand Cami and Darüşşifası, a UNESCO site constructed in 1228 under Emir Ahmet Şah and his wife Melike Turan Melik, are renowned for four elaborately carved stone doorways. They exemplify exquisite craftsmanship and reflect complex patterns and motifs in Islamic art.
The accompanying historical hospital displays striking differences between their ornate entrances and austere interiors. While visitors enjoy the detailed craftmanship of entranceways, the interior spaces exude simplicity, focusing on spiritual reflection and healing.
9: Hagia Sophia
Initially built as a Byzantine church in the 6th century, the Hagia Sophia’s massive dome soars gracefully above the nave. Having served as an Islamic place of worship and museum in history, the Hagia Sophia became a mosque in 2020, after many years as Turkey’s top museum.
Also, in the Sultan Ahmed area, Byzantine mosaics adorn the interior, displaying iconic imagery, including the Christ as Pantocrator mosaic, which emphasises Christ’s dual nature as divine and human. The walls display exquisite Islamic calligraphy, blending Western and Eastern artistic traditions.
10: Trabzon Aya Sofya
Trabzon Aya Sofya, a 13th-century Byzantine church with arched windows, was initially a church. This magnificent structure transitioned from an Orthodox church to an Islamic structure by displaying frescoes on its walls. It later became a museum in the 20th century before reconversion in 2013. Surrounded by manicured gardens, the site houses an Ottoman cemetery and remnants of a Roman temple, highlighting its historical significance across various eras.
11: Modern Sancaklar
Sancaklar Mosque, by Turkish architect Emre Aralot, features underground modern architecture, harmoniously integrating with natural surroundings. Inspired by the Hira Cave, where the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation, the building offers a serene atmosphere for contemplation.
Nestled within a subtly landscaped site in Büyükçekmece, Istanbul, its unique design draws worshippers into spiritual reflection. With traditional minarets and domes, a minimalistic aesthetic invites light into the underground sanctuary. Sancaklar has garnered international acclaim, winning first place in the World Architecture Festival competition for religious places.
12: Ortaköy Mosque
This magnificent landmark, often considered a jewel of Istanbul, is beautifully situated along Bosphorus shores. Constructed between 1854 and 1856 under Sultan Abdul Majid, this masterpiece displays the exquisite Neo-Baroque design crafted by talented architects Garabet and Nigoğayos Balyan. Characterised by the grand façade and elegant details, the inside, features opulent chandeliers and large windows.
13: Çamlıca Mosque - The Biggest in Turkey
Çamlıca Cami, officially called Çamlıca Cami, sits on Çamlıca Hill in Istanbul. The 2019 landmark, designed by two female architects, accommodates over 63,000 worshippers. As you approach, the grand entrance immediately captures your attention. The majestic minarets soar high above, each reaching around 107 metres. From their observation decks, these towering structures provide breathtaking views of Istanbul's skyline and the Bosphorus Strait.
Inside, a stunning central dome spans about 30 metres, surrounded by smaller domes. The interior, adorned with beautiful Islamic calligraphy and vibrant stained-glass windows, features other spaces, including several conference halls, exhibition areas, and a learning and cultural exchange library.
15: Şakirin Mosque
Şakirin Cami, called Şakirin Camii, is a striking structure in Istanbul. Notable for the contemporary design, which blends Islamic elements with modern aesthetics, Turkish architect Hüsrev Tayla and interior designer Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu designed the massive complex. With an innovative layout, the interior prayer hall incorporates traditional motifs, calligraphy, contemporary lighting, and a distinctive chandelier. The building by the Şakirin Turkish family, in honour of their late patriarch, was part of their philanthropic efforts.
16: Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in Üsküdar,
Commissioned by the daughter of Ottoman Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife, Hürrem Sultan, the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan completed this mosque in 1548. Built for Mihrimah Sultan, a significant patron of the arts, her influence extended beyond her father’s reign, and her contributions feature highly in Istanbul’s landscape. Over the centuries, various renovations have preserved the structure.
17: Fatih Mosque
Also called Fatih Camii in Turkish, Sultan Mehmed II, known as Mehmed the Conqueror, commissioned this landmark. The building by Atik Sinan was built on the site of the Church of the Holy Apostles, which was demolished. The 1766 earthquake caused extensive destruction, so restoration took place in 1771. The post-earthquake reconstruction in the 18th century led to a redesign of Baroque and Rococo styles, which were popular in Ottoman architecture during that period.
18: Kocatepe Mosque
In the capital city of Ankara, designed by Turkish architect Cevat Akkanat, Kocatepe Mosque opened its doors to Muslims in 1987. The current building was part of a broader effort to modernise Ankara and accommodate the growing population. Four massive pillars support the large central dome, holding up to 24,000 worshippers, while four minarets reach 88 metres tall. The spacious interior, adorned with stained glass windows and modern chandeliers, gives off a fantastic sense of space.
19: Dolmabahce Mosque
The 19th-century Dolmabahce Camii is an elegant place of worship on the Bosphorus shores. Sultan Abdülmecid I, the 31st Sultan, commissioned the building to serve the palace's staff and residents.
The landmark, by architect Garabet Balyan and his son Nigoğayos Balyan, well-known for their work on other significant Ottoman buildings, incorporates Baroque and Rococo elements popular during the 19th century. With a prominent dome and single minaret, the building exterior features mixed marble and stone for regal appearances.
The landmark sits next to the Dolmabahce Palace complex, the main Ottoman administrative centre during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It reflects the palace's importance in Ottoman political and cultural life.
20: The New Mosque of Istanbul
The New Mosque, known initially as Valide Sultan and later renamed New Valide Sultan after partial reconstruction between 1660 and 1665, sits in Istanbul's Eminönü quarter. Located on the Golden Horn, at the southern end of the Galata Bridge, the landmark leads to the new city part of the Beyoğlu (Pera) district. Built during Sultan Mehmed III's reign and after 1603, the partially constructed structure deteriorated. The Great Fire of the 17th century also severely damaged the structure.
Later that year, Turhan Sultan, the mother of Sultan Mehmed IV, completed the project as an act of piety. Turhan Sultan contracted the nearby Egyptian market, the Spice Bazaar, which became part of the külliye. Thus, construction began in the last months of 1660. Originally named the "New Valide Sultan Cami, locals eventually shortened the name to New Mosque.
21: Arab Mosque
The Arab Mosque (Arap Camii), in the Galata district of Beyoğlu, Istanbul, was built as a church during Byzantine times. Later, Sultan Mehmed II converted the building, and Byzantine and Ottoman elements still sat side by side. The interior includes Islamic elements such as a mihrab (prayer niche) and a minbar (pulpit). However, the Arab building is the only medieval Gothic architecture in Istanbul, making this a gem. Genoise tombstones discovered during restoration efforts now sit in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
Also, About Turkey
Famous Churches: From famous mosques in Turkey to Christian churches, both past and present. Turkey is home to the original seven churches of Revelation. The country is also home to the world’s oldest church. This shouldn’t be surprising because the country was a pinnacle point in early Christianity. So, while visiting the mosques, you can also see the churches to discover this genuinely diverse country of Turkey.
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