Yeni Camii (New Mosque), Istanbul
Aerial view of the Yeni Camii (New Mosque). Image © Google Earth.
The graceful Yeni Camii in Istanbul. Photo © Helen Betts.
View from the courtyard by night. Photo
Amy Keus.
Beautiful dome inside the mosque. Photo
cactusbones.
Night view from the Galata Tower. Photo
Karl O'Brien.
Night view from acros the Bosphorus. Photo
Dere-Street.com.
The New Mosque (Yeni Camii) in Istanbul is not that new - it was built in the 1600s. Located on the water's edge next to the Galata Bridge, the Yeni Camii has become a defining feature of Istanbul's skyline.
History
Begun by Valide Safiye, mother of Sultan Mehmet III, in 1597, the mosque was designed by the architect Da'ud Aga, a pupil of Sinan. The chosen site was then a poor neighborhood; the inhabitants were paid to move out.
Construction initially dragged on for several decades due to water seeping and funding problems, then stopped completely when the sultan died - Safiye was no longer the Queen Mother so she no longer had the revenues or power to support the project.
The mosque was completed by another queen mother, Valide Sultan Turhan Hattice, mother of Mehmet IV (1642-93).
What to See
The New Mosque overlooks the harbor next to the Galata Bridge on the Golden Horn. The beautiful exterior consists of a great courtyard, two slender minarets, and a cascade of domes tumbling down from a central dome. Hundreds of pigeons make their nests among the architecture.
The interior is decorated with Iznik tile, gold and marble. Valide Sultan Turhan Hattice is buried in the courtyard along with sultans Mehmet IV, Mustafa II, Ahmet III, and Mahmut I.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Valide Sultan Camii (Mosque of the Queen Mother); Yeni Camii (New Mosque) | Type of site: | Mosque |
| Dates: | 1597-1640 |
| Architecture: | Ottoman |
| Location: | Eminönü, Istanbul |
| Coordinates: | 41.01683° N, 28.972106° E |
| Phone: | No phone |
| Hours: | Dawn-dusk |
| Cost: | Free |
Travel Resources
- Istanbul Map - our own interactive city map plus links to more online maps
- Guided Tours of Istanbul - sightseeing tours, activities, day trips
- Istanbul Hostels - search and book budget lodgings
- Istanbul Hotel Reviews - the real truth on hotels from fellow travelers
- Istanbul Car Rentals - explore Turkey with a car picked up in Istanbul
- Istanbul Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Istanbul
Sources
- Frommer's Turkey: From the Blue Mosque to the Blue Lagoon, 3rd ed.
- Yeni Cami (New Mosque), Istanbul - Turkey Travel Planner
- Major Mosques of Istanbul - All About Turkey
- Safiye Sultan - Wikipedia
- Mehmed IV - Wikipedia
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Yeni Camii. 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.
