Mosquée de Ortaköy

Located in Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey, the Ortaköy Mosque (Turkish: Ortaköy Camii) or Büyük Mecidiye Camii (Turkish: Büyük Mecidiye Camii, "Great Mosque of Sultan Abdulmejid") is a mosque on the waterfront of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the busiest spots on the Bosphorus. It was built in the 1850s and commissioned by Sultan Abdülmecid I of the Ottoman Empire.

This building represents Ortaköy because of the unique perspective it provides of the Bosphorus Strait and the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul. From Bosphorus cruises and ferries, the mosque can be seen.

History of the Ortakoy Mosque

Ortaköy Mosque stands on the site of an earlier, smaller mosque that was destroyed in 1720, during the Patrona Halil Uprising. The current mosque dates back to 1854 or 1856 when construction was commissioned by Ottoman sultan Abdülmecid I (the exact dates of construction vary between scholarly sources). It was designed by the Armenian father-and-son team of Garabet Balyan and Nikogos Balyan in 1853–1855. The pair also created the adjacent Dolmabahce Palace and Dolmabahce Mosque.
the original brick dome of the mosque. The original concrete dome, however, had developed cracks over the years and was on the verge of collapse, necessitating a replacement. The mosque was first damaged in an earthquake in 1894 and then again in a fire in 1984. As a result, the building has had numerous restoration and repair projects carried out on it over the years. It's in reasonable condition right now.

Ortakoy Mosque's Stunning Design

Les Balyans, qui ont également conçu d'autres monuments d'Istanbul, ont créé un look éclectique pour la mosquée en fusionnant des éléments de styles de renaissance européens tels que le néoclassique avec l'ornementation baroque ottomane et la mise en page générale.

There is a U-shaped imperial apartment on the upper floors for the sultan and a square main prayer hall for the mosque below. Each of these rooms is topped by a single dome. Its "dynamic appearance" is due in large part to the carved stone reliefs that adorn the mosque's facades, which feature engaged columns. It is lit by two rows of windows. While stone was used to construct the two tall, thin minarets, concrete was used to rebuild the dome. The minarets are capped with balconies that are reminiscent of Corinthian columns.

The mosque is relatively small when compared to other mosques on the other side of the Golden Horn. Even though it is relatively small on the outside, the interior is quite roomy thanks to the high ceilings and large windows that both reflect the surrounding landscape and let in plenty of natural light. The minbar and mihrab were crafted from marble and porphyry, among other precious stones. Abdülmecid I is credited with introducing trompe l'oeil frescoes to Ottoman architecture, which can be seen inside the dome. The niche-like windows with curtains and mihrab rows depicted in these trompe l'oeil paintings are reminiscent of traditional Islamic architecture and decoration, while the paintings themselves are executed in a Neo-Renaissance style. Abdülmecid I, who was also a calligrapher in addition to being a sultan, executed several panels of calligraphy for the mosque's interior.

Ortakoy Mosque's Exterior

In comparison to other well-known mosques in Istanbul, the mosque's courtyard is relatively small. There is a single dome atop the mosque and two minarets, each of which has a single balcony (serife in Turkish).

Il y a quatre colonnes majeures dans les coins du terrain en forme de carré. Conçu comme résidence d'été pour le sultan, ce pavillon se trouve à côté de la mosquée. L'architecture de style pavillon, plutôt que le traditionnel hunkar mahfili (une zone spéciale mise à part pour le sultan dans la mosquée), reflète le passage du temps.

Dès le bas, l’extérieur de la mosquée a trois sections distinctes : la première a deux fenêtres, la seconde a trois, la troisième a des tours de poids, puis il y a la coupole (voir aussi les différents motifs sur les colonnes).

The tughra (the sultan's signature) can be seen above the doorway.

Ortakoy Mosque's Interior

The mosque has an entrance hall called a narthex. You've probably seen these chandeliers before in Dolmabahce Palace's main hall, which features one large and eight smaller versions. Magnificent calligraphy adorns large panels (including the names of Allah, the prophet Muhammed, and the first four caliphs), which was a collaborative effort between Sultan Abdulmecid and other artists.

Assuming it's okay with the Sultan, you can ascend to the second floor and admire the view from the women's and Sultan's balconies (unfortunately, sometimes they are closed). For the upper floors, there is an elliptical staircase. As seen from the balcony below, the dome's opening features a motif of the sky. The walls are painted in a rainbow of hues, including pink, blue, orange, green, and many more.

Il n’est pas surprenant qu’il y ait un Mihrab qui montre le chemin de la Mecque et un Minbar pour les imams à utiliser lorsqu’ils prêchent.

Il y a beaucoup de fenêtres rondes pour la lumière naturelle à entrer. Les vues disponibles à travers ces panneaux de verre sont à couper le souffle. Rappelez-vous de jeter un dernier coup d'oeil à l'extérieur de la mosquée avant de partir.

De plus, la propreté de l'intérieur donne l'impression qu'il est nettoyé régulièrement.

Location and Visiting Times for the Ortakoy Mosque

During times of prayer, it is not possible to search the interior. Furthermore, anyone is welcome to visit the mosque at any time to pray. Most large mosques adhere to a standard procedure for greeting visitors (e.g., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). But you can't shut down a mosque, and people will always be able to pray there.

Chaque semaine, le vendredi à midi, il y a un sermon spécial et un temps de prière communautaire. Ainsi, nous vous conseillons de visiter la mosquée le vendredi après 2 heures du matin ou tôt le matin.

The views, especially at sunset and sunrise, are fascinating. It's important to keep this in mind for a more satisfying journey. In addition, taking good photographs when the sun is overhead can be challenging.

What's Around the Ortakoy Mosque

The Turkish baked potato, or kumpir, and the Belgian waffle both have a strong following in Ortakoy. In theory, you could give it a shot. The area around the mosque has some excellent cafes where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, Turkish coffee, or Turkish tea. Don't just choose a cafe because you might be disappointed with the service. If you're interested, there are also a few cafes where you can smoke hookah (nargile in Turkish).

Vous pouvez aller faire des courses dans les petites rues pittoresques. Vous pouvez également voir des kermesses que vous pouvez vérifier pour la modestie en petits morceaux.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ortakoy Mosque

Q: What is the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :: The Ortaköy Mosque is a historic mosque located in the Ortaköy neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey.

Q: Where is the Ortaköy Mosque located?

A :: The Ortaköy Mosque is located in the Ortaköy neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey.

Q: How old is the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :: The Ortaköy Mosque was built in the 19th century, during the Ottoman Empire era.

Q: What is the history of the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :: The Ortaköy Mosque was built as a symbol of Ottoman power and architectural prowess and has been an important place of worship for the Muslim community in Istanbul for centuries.

Q: What is the significance of the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :: The Ortaköy Mosque is an important religious and cultural landmark in Istanbul and is known for its intricate tile work, calligraphy, and unique architectural style.

Q: What can I see at the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :: Visitors to the Ortaköy Mosque can see the mosque itself as well as the surrounding grounds, including a courtyard and a small park.

Q: How do I get to the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :: The Ortaköy Mosque can be reached by public transportation or by car and is located near the shore of the Bosphorus Strait.

Q: Is there an entrance fee to visit the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :: There is no entrance fee to visit the Ortaköy Mosque.

Q: Are there any restrictions for visiting the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :Les visiteurs sont tenus de s'habiller modestement et de retirer leurs chaussures avant d'entrer dans la mosquée.Il peut également y avoir des restrictions pendant les heures de prière; il est préférable de vérifier à l'avance.

Q: Are there any facilities at the Ortaköy Mosque?

A :: There are limited facilities at the Ortaköy Mosque, including restrooms and a small café, but visitors are encouraged to bring their food and drinks.

Vous pouvez réserver une visite de la ville d'Istanbul avec nos guides touristiques agréés.

Map of Ortakoy Mosque