Ortaköy Mosque, whose real name is Mecidiyeköy Mosque, is considered to be one of the most important masterpieces remaining from the Ottoman Period to the present day. The mosque, which was first built in 1853 and opened for worship, has been regularly restored and protected since it has been damaged due to numerous reasons such as fire and earthquake. In this article, we have compiled all the information about the Ortaköy Mosque, which is one of the most important parts of the Istanbul skyline with its stunning location overlooking the Bosphorus and its elegant architecture.
Ortaköy Mosque History
Ortaköy, also known as Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, is an important work built by Sultan Abdülmecit to beautify the Bosphorus. Today, it is one of the most iconic structures of the Bosphorus. The building, which integrates with the Bosphorus and the bridge, is also one of the most popular photo shooting points especially in touristic trips due to its unique location and landscape. The Ortaköy Mosque, built on a small cape extending towards the Bosphorus, can also be seen from many different points of the Bosphorus and therefore contributes to the silhouette from every angle.
Ortaköy Mosque, which is distinguished by its Western-style baroque architecture among the historical mosques in Istanbul, was built by architect Nigoğos Balyan in 1854. Balyan, who studied architecture in France, was known as a member of the Balyan family, who served the palace for several generations at that time and produced works lined up on the Bosphorus. Ortaköy Mosque, built by Sultan Abdülmecit, carries neo-baroque traces and generally stands out with its motifs and decorations belonging to the Ottoman Period.
Ortaköy Mosque Story
Before the Ortaköy Mosque was built, there was a masjid in the region built by Mahmut Ağa, the son-in-law of Vezir İbrahim Pasha. Due to the Patrona Halil Rebellion that emerged in 1721 and as a result of the subsequent developments, the mosque was damaged and destroyed, and the Ortaköy Mosque, which contained unique beauty in many respects, was built in its place. However, the mosque, whose construction was completed in 1853, was also badly damaged by the earthquake about 41 years later and faced the threat of another collapse in 1960. Ortaköy Mosque, whose maintenance and repair works continued from time to time, survived a major fire in 1984 and suffered serious damage and entered the repair process again. The mosque, which was restored for the last time by the General Directorate of Foundations between 2011 and 2014, was renewed and completed for the last time at the end of 3 years and was made open to worship and visits again on June 6, 2014 with a great ceremony. At the entrance to the mosque, whose original baroque construction style was preserved during the restoration stages, there is a tugra belonging to Sultan Abdülmecid, which is still instrumental in its construction, and this magnificent mosque is visited by countless local and foreign tourists every year.
General Features of Ortaköy Mosque
We can list the most prominent features that distinguish Ortaköy Mosque, one of the most important structures of the Istanbul skyline, from other buildings as follows:
- The most distinctive feature of Ortaköy Mosque is that it is designed to receive sun from all 4 facades. In this respect, the mosque, that is considered as architectural wonderful, exhibits an aesthetic image both in terms of architecture, history and religion.
- Another of the most interesting parts of the mosque is that the names of Allah, Muhammad and the caliph are written on the dome of the mosque with calligraphy. With this feature, it combines Baroque style architecture with Ottoman style.
- Ortaköy Mosque, which has two minarets, also stands out because of the hünkar sections inside. The hünkar section, which belonged to the sultan and his family, is one of the most ideal places to feel the atmosphere of the period as it is kept open for those who come to visit the mosque today. The interior, which was used only by the sultans at the time, preserves its splendor today with its appearance reminiscent of classical Ottoman palaces.
- The Hünkar pavilion is also the largest of the interior sections built in the 19th century and is exactly the same size as the worship section of the building. The section, which transfers the light games of the Bosphorus to the place of worship with its high windows inside, is designed to be two-storey and integrated with the mosque, but when viewed from the outside, it looks like a separate structure. Since transportation was provided by sea at that time, the main entrance of the Hünkar Pavilion is located in the direction of the Bosphorus.
- Ortaköy Mosque, which has an aesthetic appearance, is one of the focal points that makes the Bosphorus even more beautiful and is especially used in photography, series and film shooting. It attracts so much attention when viewed from the outside due to the fact that the exterior façade is equipped with special stone carvings and relief decorations.
- In the marble-dominated mosque, the pulpit part is also made using marble, and there are more plaster embroideries in the interior. These embroideries give the walls a mixed white and red color, so that the mosque offers different beauties both inside and out.
Where is Ortaköy Mosque?
Located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Ortaköy Mosque is located at a point where easy access is provided. It is located on a tiny cape by the sea, very close to the area where the famous kumpir shops and waffle shops, which are other touristic spots in Ortaköy, are located. Ortaköy Mosque, which you can reach by using public transportation or by your private vehicle, is somehow within walking distance after arriving at Beşiktaş Square.
- To reach the mosque from the Anatolian side; you can take the Beşiktaş ferry and from there you can go to Kabataş High School Stop via Sarıyer buses. You can reach Ortaköy from the square as a result of a 20-minute walk.
- To reach the mosque from the European side; You can go to Kabataş via the Bağcılar-Kabataş tram line, then to Sarıyer with Sarıyer buses and walk the same distance from the square.