Audio GuideBüyük Mecidiye Mosque

Set right on the edge of the Bosphorus in Istanbul’s lively Ortaköy district, Büyük Mecidiye Camii—often called the Ortaköy Mosque—catches the eye with both its history and beauty. The mosque was first completed in the middle of the nineteenth century, when Sultan Abdulmecid the First wanted a new landmark to reflect the dynamic spirit of the era. He turned to Garabet and Nigoğos Balyan, a talented father-and-son team of architects known for their work on some of Istanbul’s most grand palaces. This mosque marked a turning point, blending traditional Ottoman architecture with bold European Baroque influences.

Hasbagana Chinzorig

From the outside, you notice elaborate stone decorations, two slender minarets—each with its own graceful balcony—and grand entrance stairs. The single large dome sits above a square, airy prayer hall, ringed with massive windows. These windows do more than let in sunlight; they are positioned to capture the shifting colors of the Bosphorus, filling the interior with reflections of the water’s blue and gold hues. Inside, the walls glow with pink mosaics, the marble mihrab and pulpit show skilled stonework, and ornate calligraphy highlights the sultan’s own hand.

Muntasser MOSLEH

Büyük Mecidiye Camii has endured its share of hardship: earthquakes, fires, and decades of wear. Each time, careful restoration returned it to life, preserving both its structure and the mix of cultures it represents. When you visit, you step into a place where Istanbul’s old and new worlds meet. Outside, the animated waterfront square is home to popular cafés and street food stalls, while the nearby bridge links continents. The mosque’s story is woven into the rhythms of local life, offering a glimpse of Istanbul's diverse past and vibrant present.

Ivana Mašulović Perović