Audio GuideYeni Mosque

In the heart of Istanbul’s Eminönü district, where golden sunlight shimmers across the harbour waters and the scents of the historic Spice Bazaar drift on the breeze, stands the New Mosque—locally known as Yeni Camii—a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. Despite what its name might suggest, the mosque has watched over the city since the middle of the seventeenth century, its grand domes and elegant twin minarets helping to shape the city’s skyline.

Ahmet Can

The story of Yeni Camii stretches for nearly seventy years, beginning at the very start of the seventeenth century. It was first envisioned by Safiye Sultan, a powerful member of the royal household who hoped to leave her mark on Istanbul. She chose this lively commercial quarter for the project, signalling not only the growing influence of women at the Ottoman court, but also continuing a tradition of ambitious building works.

Hly Ergn

However, construction was fraught with difficulties. Political turmoil and intrigue at court meant that progress halted for decades. It was only when Turhan Sultan, another formidable queen mother, took up the project following a devastating fire in the sixteen-sixties that building work resumed in earnest. With her support, the mosque was completed, blending classic Ottoman design—such as its series of domes and spacious courtyards—with more modern touches.

Ebubekir AYCİBİN

Step inside and you will find yourself surrounded by soaring domes supported by sturdy columns. The interiors are covered with blue, green, and white tiles from the nearby town of Iznik, their floral motifs catching the changing light. Delicate bands of calligraphy trace the lines of the arches, reflecting prayers and verses from the Qur’an. Light pours through rows of stained-glass windows, bathing the vast space in a gentle glow and adding to the hushed, serene atmosphere created by murmured prayers and the quiet sound of footsteps.

Beyond its beauty, Yeni Camii played a central role in a larger complex, or “külliye,” which included schools, a hospital, fountains and the famous Spice Bazaar. Its position between the old city and the commercial district helped unite diverse neighbourhoods and communities. Over the centuries, many sultans and influential royal women have been laid to rest in its mausoleum. Today, ongoing restoration works help to preserve Yeni Camii as one of the city’s enduring landmarks—a meeting point of art, history and daily life beneath its famous domes.

Unlike some of Istanbul’s older mosques, the New Mosque’s design merges imperial splendour with the spirit of a thriving marketplace. Its long and often troubled construction tells a story not just of shifting rulers and fortunes, but also of Istanbul’s own endlessly changing heart. To both Istanbulites and visitors from afar, Yeni Camii stands as a vivid reminder of the city’s golden era.