The Ortaköy Mosque (officially: Büyük-Mecidiye Mosque) was built in 1853-56 by the order of Sultan Abdülmecid I. Its architect is Nikogos, son of the famous Armenian architect family Balyan.
This mosque is an example of Ottoman Baroque style. With a central, domed building, flanked by four corner towers with baroque domes, two elegant minarets rise into the sky, making the mosque the landmark of the former fishing village. With its marble-paneled prayer hall and low-hanging crystal chandeliers, the light-flooded interior is reminiscent of a baroque castle. The large windows capture the unique light effects of sunlight reflected in the water. In addition, beautiful calligraphies by Abdülmecid, who was a true master of Arabic writing, can be admired here.
The view of the prayer house with the Bosphorus Bridge is a classic that anyone can enjoy during a Bosphorus trip from afar. It is the scenic picture that you have surely seen in some Istanbul city guides. A fantastic photo opportunity!
Our tip: After visiting the mosque, enjoy a Turkish tea in the famous Ortaköy Square. From here you can enjoy the magic of the city.