The Yeni Camii (New Mosque) in Istanbul is not that new it was built in the 1597s. Located on the water’s edge next to the Galata Bridge, the Yeni Camii has become a defining feature of Istanbul’s skyline.
Only in Istanbul would a 400-year-old mosque be called ‘New‘. Dating from 1597, its design references both the Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque, with a large forecourt and a square sanctuary surmounted by a series of semidomes crowned by a grand dome. The interior is richly decorated with gold leaf, coloured Iznik tiles and carved marble.
History
Begun by Valide Safiye, mother of Sultan Mehmet III, in 1597, the New Mosque was designed by the architect Da’ud Aga, a pupil of Sinan. The chosen site was then a poor neighborhood; the inhabitants were paid to move out.
Construction initially dragged on for several decades due to water seeping and funding problems, then stopped completely when the sultan died Safiye was no longer the Queen Mother so she no longer had the revenues or power to support the project.
The mosque was completed by another queen mother, Valide Sultan Turhan Hattice, mother of Mehmet IV (1642-93).
What to See
The New Mosque overlooks the harbor next to the Galata Bridge on the Golden Horn. The beautiful exterior consists of a great courtyard, two slender minarets, and a cascade of domes tumbling down from a central dome. Hundreds of pigeons make their nests among the architecture.
The interior is decorated with Iznik tile, gold and marble. Valide Sultan Turhan Hattice is buried in the courtyard along with sultans Mehmet IV, Mustafa II, Ahmet III, and Mahmut.
The New Mosque shares a courtyard with the Spice Bazaar, just across the Golden Horn from the city proper. It is easy to visit for that reason. Having been to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the Blue Mosque) I can only say that the New Mosque is ordinary. In that way, however, it is less visited and a more authentic version of an every day place of worship compared to the glitzy Blue Mosque.
Its an architectural wonder! Looks so magnificent from outside and when one goes inside,its just equally fabulous,in the sense that one begins to feel the serene,quiet beauty of the place. One look at it and I felt like going inside. Trust me,it transported me to another world of peace and purity. I would say it has a therapeutic effect.
Its not realy new, it is still old but more recent that the other mosques. It sitts next to the Egeptian Bazaar, right across from Galata bridge. Beautiful archetecture.
Quieter than the Blue Mosque, so you get a better sense of it being a place for prayer. Very near to the Spice Bazaar and the water front.
This mosques carries the look of old ottomon style architecture but is a new mosque with lovely interiors. Located nearby the Spice Bazaar in Eminonue its worth a visit and definitely a pleasant experience for the praying soul.
From the busy streets you enter the oasis of colour and harmony that is the mosque. You take your shoes off and walk on a soft carpet as you gaze up at the wonderful tiled patterns on all the walls and domes. Prayers were happening at the far end with a small group listening to the imam.
Not really new but beautiful. Watch your head, the square is teaming with pigeons. Right beside the Spice Market which is a smaller version of the Grand Bazaar. Right near the dock to take a cruise on the Bosphorus.
I loved this mosque. Not having a map, I thought it was the blue mosque until I realized it was the New Mosque. It's quieter and less crowded, as beautiful and right by the Galata bridge and spice market!
It is the most recent but still reasonably old mosques of Istanbul. We visited this on our last day in Istanbul, and we were glad we have visited it.
This mosque is breathtaking. Both the exterior and interior are absolutely spectacular, plus it is much less crowded than the Blue Mosque. Go inside, sit down and just take in your surroundings – incredible!