Istanbul is also a major tourist destination and one of the world's largest cities. Of course, Istanbul is home to a variety of magnificent mosques. The mosques of Istanbul, which are notable for their various distinctive architecture, also embody the city's essence. It is extremely common to get confused while planning a trip to Istanbul and deciding where to go. All you have to do now is familiarize yourself with the mosques in this large metropolis and make an informed selection.
Istanbul Mosques
Istanbul is a very famous and touristic city which is located in Turkey. It is famous for many historic buildings and places. However, the mosque culture and Istanbul mosques are the most interesting places for tourists visiting Istanbul.
In the research made in the year 2007, there are 2,944 mosques in Istanbul. Many of those mosques are regular mosques for just worship and praying. But also many of those are historical and touristic mosques. Because of that situation, the Istanbul mosque is one of the aims and reasons for visiting tourists.
Here are some advice and cultural norms to consider for tourists who want to visit those tourist and historical mosques. You must follow rigorous etiquette requirements as a place of religious devotion. When someone is praying, it is impolite to walk in front of them. You can photograph anything, but you must not use flash and must obtain permission before photographing individuals. Photographing someone when they are praying is not a good idea.
When in front of an altar, men should wear shorts below the knees, a t-shirt, and caps should be removed. Cover your head, chest, legs, and shoulders if you're a woman. To cover your hair and legs, borrow a headscarf and a shawl.
Historical Mosques
There are many historical mosques in Istanbul to visit and those are the aim and reason of many tourists coming to Istanbul. This section can find the list and backgrounds of historical mosques in Istanbul.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, perhaps Istanbul's most renowned mosque, is a very popular tourist destination thanks to its remarkable bright-blue tile work. This towering 17th-century architecture, the last great mosque of the classical Ottoman period, is best viewed from Sultanahmet Park, where the mosque's six unique minarets emphasize its presence above the trees.
Süleymaniye Mosque
This mosque may not be the largest in Istanbul, but it is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent. This exquisite piece of 16th-century architecture dominates the summit of the Golden Horn, part of the city's ancient peninsula, and is only a 10-minute walk from the Grand Bazaar. It is a significant structure constructed by Mimar Sinan, the Ottoman Empire's most skilled architect, for the Ottoman Empire's most famous sultan, generally known as 'Suleiman the Magnificent.'
Hagia Sophia Mosque
It was the largest cathedral of the time, having been erected as a Greek Patriarchal Cathedral. That is, until the Ottoman assault seized the Byzantine Empire's capital. The Muslim Ottoman Empire's main city was then Istanbul. This location was turned into a museum in 1935, during the Republic Period. In 2020, it was controversially transformed back into a mosque in Istanbul. This indicates that entry is unrestricted.
Rüstem Paşa Mosque
This tiny but magnificent mosque, designed by renowned architect Sinan, gives the Blue Mosque a run for its money in artistic ceramics. Access stairs may be found on Hasircilar Caddesi or a little roadway running north from Hasircilar Caddesi towards the Golden Horn.
Ortakoy Mosque
The Ortakoy Mosque, despite its less radical form, is one of Istanbul's most magnificent monuments and is regarded as the "Jewel of the Bosphorus" due to its spectacular waterside setting.
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
The sunsets between the minarets on the European side of the mosque, while the moon rises from the solitary minaret on the Asian side, in honor of Mihrimah's name, which means "sun and moon."
New Mosque
The New Mosque, located at the end of Istanbul's iconic Galata Bridge, was planned by Sinan's pupil, Davut Aa, and took more than half a century to complete owing to financial challenges and political turbulence. It was the last of the imperial mosques to be constructed, and it was inspired by both the Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque.
Things to do in Istanbul
When a person travels to Istanbul, they can find many things. Day cruises, bus tours, historic sites, walking tours, cultural tours, shopping malls, private sightseeing tours, dinner cruises, walking in the parks, lunch cruises, and visiting the remarkable museums are some things to do in Istanbul. There are many things to do in Istanbul, and one of the most famous things to do is visiting the historical, cultural and touristic mosques
Frequently Asked Question
How many mosques are there in Istanbul?
There are currently 3,113 mosques all around the city.
What is the mosque in Istanbul called?
The most famous mosques in Istanbul are Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet Mosque.
Is Blue Mosque and Suleiman Mosque the same?
No, Blue Mosque and Suleiman Mosque are different historical mosques of Istanbul.
Can you wear shorts in a mosque in Turkey?
No, neither men nor women can wear shorts while visiting a mosque.
Are there Covid-19 restrictions in the mosques in Istanbul?
There are distance and mask restrictions in Turkey in closed areas, so there are covid restrictions in the mosques in Istanbul because of that. In closed places, everyone should wear a mask and pay attention to the social distance.