Sacred Destinations
A richly illustrated guide to the world's sacred places,
historic religious sites, sacred art and religious architecture.

Beyazit Mosque (Beyazit Camii), Istanbul

Aerial view of Beyazit Mosque
Aerial view of the Beyazit Mosque (center), with the Grand Bazzar
on the right. Image © Google Earth.

Exterior
Exterior view. Photo Creative Commons License E.A. Roberts.

Exterior
Main entrance, leading into the courtyard. Photo Creative Commons License Kevin Burden.

Interior
Interior. Photo © Dick Osseman.

Interior
Interior. Photo Creative Commons License Serdar's digital world.

Beyazit Mosque
Exterior view from the back. Photo © Dick Osseman.



Built from 1500 to 1505 under Sultan Beyazit II, the Beyazit Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Istanbul. It is located next to Istanbul University and the Grand Bazaar in the center of a large 16th-century complex that includes schools and other buildings.

History

Construction on the Beyazit Mosque began in 1501, overseen by architect Yakubsah Bin Sultan. The mosque was built over the ruins of the Forum of Tauri built by the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius. The pavement of the courtyard and the pillars of the ablutions fountain are reused materials from the Forum.

The Beyazit Mosque was completed in 1506. Sultan Beyazit II died in 1512 and was buried in the gardens with his family.

What to See

The mosque's architecture is inspired by the Byzantine Ayasofya, with a central dome, semi-domes, and a central prayer area with galleries. The dome is 16.78 meters in diameter (the Hagia Sophia's is 31m). Other elements were inspired by the Fatih Mosque, such as the buttresses and columns alongside the dome.

The mosque was once at the center of a large complex, including a school (medrese), kitchen, caravanserai, hamam, and soup kitchen for the poor. The soup kitchen and caravanserai, on the left of the mosque, now house the Beyazit State Library, while the former medrese houses a school of calligraphy.

Quick Facts

Type of site: Mosque
Dates: 1501-06
Architecture: Ottoman
Status: Active
Architect: Yakubsah Bin Sultan
Location: Yeniçeriler Cad., across from Beyazit tramway stop
Coordinates: 41.011° N, 28.965° E
Phone: No phone
Hours: Dawn-dusk
Cost: Free

Travel Resources

Article Sources

  1. Frommer's Turkey: From the Blue Mosque to the Blue Lagoon, 3rd ed.
  2. Major Mosques of Istanbul - All About Turkey

Location Map

Below is a location map and aerial view of the Beyazit Mosque. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Istanbul Map or get our free Google Earth download.


Sacred Destinations Home    Contact Us    About Us    About Images    Advertise    Spiritual Tours    Timeshares    Blog    Privacy Policy
Except where indicated otherwise, all content and images © 2005-09 Sacred Destinations. All rights reserved.
Free content for your Google homepage or website! Get our daily photo gadget.
Sacred Destinations is an online travel guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, holy places, religious history, sacred places, historical religious sites, archaeological sites,
religious festivals, sacred sites, spiritual retreats, religious travel and spiritual journeys. We are a Yahoo Pick!
Popular categories: Ancient Mysteries, Biblical Sites, Cathedrals, Catholic Shrines, Footsteps of Jesus, Luther Sites
Popular sites: Easter Island, Lourdes, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Oberammergau Passion Play, Shroud of Turin 2010, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Stonehenge
Popular destinations: Rome, Rome Map, Ravenna, Ephesus, Assisi, Paris, Jerusalem
Our stock photo site: Sacred Destinations Photography