Where is Ortakoy Mosque and How to Go? Ortakoy Mosque History And Features…

Ortaköy Büyük Mecidiye Mosque has an elegant architecture. It is one of the most important symbols of Istanbul. Right next to Ortaköy Mosque, there is Esma Sultan Mansion, which dazzles with its splendor. It is a building built by Esma Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Abdülaziz, after her marriage to Çerkez Mehmet Pasha as a wedding gift.

Where is Ortakoy Mosque?

Ortaköy Mosque is considered the jewel of the Bosphorus due to its location and architecture. Located in Ortaköy Neighborhood, right next to the Bosphorus Bridge, which connects Europe and Asia, this mosque was built by Sultan Abdülmecid in 1854. It is also known as the Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, in honor of its founder.

How to go to Ortakoy Mosque?

Ferries depart from Beşiktaş Pier to go to Ortaköy Mosque from Sultanahmet. There are direct ferry services departing from Eminönü and reaching Ortaköy Pier. It moves five times a day and works every day. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes.

Ortakoy Mosque History and Features

Ortaköy Mosque (Mecidiye Mosque), one of the most distinctive sights of Istanbul with its Bosphorus Bridge, draws attention with its elegant decorations. On the shore of the Bosphorus is a beautifully designed mosque that rises magically out of the water. Built between 1853-1855, this baroque-style mosque represents the finest example of late Ottoman period architecture. The Ortaköy Mosque, which is identified with the district, is generally in baroque style, but the Ottoman adaptation of European architectural movements draws attention due to its great diversity and originality. It would be more correct to classify such structures as products of Ottoman eclecticism.

Magnificent views of the Bosphorus can be seen from its large windows. Therefore, it provides an unearthly worship experience for the Muslim visitors of Istanbul. Also, the interior of the mosque is always bright with the sun’s rays shining through these large windows. Allows you to take excellent indoor photos. Masterful examples of Turkish calligraphy hung on the interior walls of the mosque. These handicrafts were made by Sultan Abdülmecid, who was also a master calligrapher.

Sultan Abdülmecid had the mosque built in 1853 and appointed Nigogos Balyan from the Balyan family, who was responsible for the design of many buildings in Istanbul, as the architect. Among his prominent works; Dolmabahçe Palace and the adjacent Dolmabahçe Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Çırağan Palace, Nusretiye Mosque, and the classy Justice Tower of Topkapı Palace were also rebuilt by him. Ortakoy Mosque is a complex structure overlooking the Bosphorus. Like all mosques built under the command of sultans, it consists of two parts, the main prayer area and the summer palace section.

The main area is small and square. The ceiling is dome-shaped, covered with pink mosaics. Large and high windows are placed inside the mosque to capture the changing play of light reflections from the Bosphorus. The building has two minarets and white stone walls. It is located on the waterside of Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular places on the Bosphorus. This building is an iconic symbol of the Ortaköy district as it has its own unique view of the Bosphorus and the Bosphorus Bridge.

Ortakoy Properties

Ortaköy literally means “village in the middle” due to its unique location on the shores of the European Strait. Ortakoy Square is a popular meeting and promenade place for locals. It provides a friendly atmosphere with its cute boutiques, seaside cafes and restaurants. Ortaköy Square is a frequent destination for young people and those who come to visit Istanbul. There are various cafes, bars, restaurants and shops in the square.

Street markets are also very popular in Ortaköy. They are held every weekend. Visitors can enjoy and purchase a variety of crafts, souvenirs, second-hand books, a variety of great items, and more. Istanbulites usually come to Ortaköy to have breakfast, hang out in its wide square and wander around the lively street market.

Ortaköy offers a wide variety of food and wine options, from luxury restaurants frequented by both tourists and locals, to very famous fine dining restaurants and cafes. It is possible to find all kinds of food and drink, Turkish and world cuisine in Ortaköy to suit your taste. Ortakoy is quite colorful at night. For tourists, Ortaköy is home to a wide variety of accommodation options, from budget apartments to apart hotels, from residents to two to five-star hotels.