The people who live in Istanbul know best how big it is. Knowing where the nearest and largest mosques for Tarawih are may make your job easier in terms of transportation. If you want to perform Tarawih prayers in mosques that stand out with both their historical texture and spiritual atmosphere all around the city during this holy month, we have listed the most special places for you.
List of the Most Beautiful Mosques in Istanbul
Here are the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul that will make you feel the deep history of Istanbul, fascinate you with their wonderful architecture and magnificence, and where you can both worship and visit as a tourist and feel the unique atmosphere:Eyup Sultan Mosque
Eyüp Sultan Mosque is one of the most important religious and historical structures located on the shores of the Golden Horn in the Eyüp district of Istanbul. The mosque was built on the tomb of Abu Eyüp El-Ensari, one of the first caliphs of Islam. The Eyüp Sultan Tomb, located adjacent to the mosque, is of great sacredness to Muslims and is visited by thousands of people every year. In addition, the tea gardens around Eyüp Sultan Square and the social structures belonging to the mosque reflect the spirit of this region.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Hagia Sophia is located in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul and was built as a church by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 537. It was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest.
Hagia Sophia has a basilica plan and is famous for its huge central dome and surrounding semi-domes. Its interior features a combination of Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman calligraphy. The mosque can accommodate 25,000 people and is notable for its four minarets. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is of great religious and architectural importance.
Sultanahmet Mosque
The Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the most important historical buildings in Istanbul. It was built by the architect Sedefkar Mehmed Ağa between 1609-1617 by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque is one of the most beautiful examples of Ottoman and Islamic art with both its interior and exterior architecture.
The mosque is located in Sultanahmet Square in the Fatih district of Istanbul, and is located directly across from Hagia Sophia. It has a capacity to accommodate approximately 10,000 people at a time. The mosque, which attracts attention with its six minarets and large courtyard, is also known as the "Blue Mosque" due to the blue Iznik tiles used in its interior decoration.
Today, the Sultanahmet Mosque, which is visited for both worship and touristic purposes, is one of the symbols of Istanbul and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Suleymaniye Mosque
The Süleymaniye Mosque was built by Mimar Sinan, the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire, on the orders of Suleiman the Magnificent between 1551 and 1557. Located on Suleymaniye Hill in the Fatih district of Istanbul, the mosque draws attention with its magnificent architecture that dominates the city's silhouette.
The mosque represents the pinnacle of Ottoman classical architecture with its 4 minarets and spacious interior. It can accommodate approximately 5,000 people at a time. The simple but impressive decorations in the interior give the mosque a peaceful atmosphere.
Fatih Mosque
Fatih Mosque is one of the most important historical mosques in Istanbul. It was built by the Ottoman Sultan Fatih Sultan Mehmet between 1463-1470. The mosque is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, in the Fatih district, which gives its name to it. Fatih Mosque has a large courtyard and is one of the largest mosques in Istanbul, with a capacity of approximately 10,000 people.
Fatih Mosque is one of the most visited places of worship in Istanbul with both its historical importance and spiritual atmosphere.
Great Mecidiye Mosque (Ortaköy Mosque)
Ortaköy Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul, also known as the Büyük Mecidiye Mosque. It was built by the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid in 1853. The mosque is located in the Ortaköy district of Beşiktaş, on the shores of the Bosphorus. Thanks to its magnificent location, it is both an important part of the Istanbul skyline and a popular spot for photographers and tourists.
Beyazit Mosque
The Beyazıt Mosque is one of the first large imperial mosques built by the Ottomans in Istanbul, built by Bayezid II between 1501 and 1506. The mosque is located in Beyazıt Square in the Fatih district of Istanbul. An important example of classical Ottoman architecture, the building is a place of worship frequently visited by students and visitors as it is located right next to the main entrance of Istanbul University.
New Mosque
The New Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in Istanbul and was started to be built by Safiye Sultan, the wife of Ottoman Sultan Murad III, in 1597. However, construction stopped for a long time due to various reasons and the mosque was completed in 1663 by Turhan Sultan, the mother of Mehmet IV.
The mosque is located on the banks of the Golden Horn in the Eminönü district of Istanbul. Today, the New Mosque attracts great interest from both local and foreign visitors, and continues to be one of the most well-known and photographed structures in Istanbul, especially combined with the lively atmosphere of Eminönü Square.
Camlica Mosque
Çamlıca Mosque is the largest mosque in Istanbul and Türkiye, reflecting the combination of modern architecture with traditional Ottoman and Seljuk architecture. Its construction began in 2013 and it was opened for worship in 2019.
The mosque is located on Çamlıca Hill in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul. Çamlıca Mosque is not only a place of worship, but also part of a large complex that includes art galleries, a library, conference halls and museums. It also serves as a cultural center with a library with a capacity of 3.12 million books and art workshops.
Nuruosmaniye Mosque
Nuruosmaniye Mosque is one of the most important works of Ottoman baroque architecture. The mosque is located at the entrance of the Grand Bazaar in the Fatih district of Istanbul. Its name was determined as "Nuruosmaniye", meaning "Light of the Ottomans". Located in one of the busiest points of Istanbul, the mosque is of great importance both in terms of worship and in terms of history and architecture.