Bayezid Mosque: the oldest surviving imperial mosque in Istanbul
- Mosques
- Beyazıt, Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to Bayezid Mosque
Visitor information
| Type | Imperial mosque |
|---|---|
| Built | 1501–1506 |
| Commissioned by / architect | Sultan Bayezid II; the architect is disputed (Hayreddin or Yakubşah bin Sultanşah) |
| Neighbourhood | Beyazıt, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Daily from morning until the night (isha) prayer; visitors are not admitted during prayer times |
| Admission | Free (there is a donation box) |
| Time needed | 20–30 min |
| Getting there | T1 Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı stop, 2 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 21 min walk (1.5 km) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Easy with a stroller |
| Best time | At the start or end of a visit to the Grand Bazaar |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
A key to early Ottoman architecture
The main dome of the mosque is supported by two half-domes; this layout is inspired by the plan of Hagia Sophia and is one of the most mature examples of Ottoman architecture before Mimar Sinan. The wide arcaded courtyard, the porphyry and granite columns and the ablution fountain in the centre are a classic example of an Ottoman courtyard. The two minarets stand far apart, at the corners of the guest wings (tabhane) on either side of the building.
The complex and its surroundings
The complex’s madrasa now houses the Turkish Foundation Calligraphy Museum, and the soup kitchen building is the Beyazıt State Library. The tomb of Bayezid II is in the graveyard on the qibla side. Walking through the mosque courtyard, you enter the Book Bazaar and from there the Grand Bazaar.
Visiting tips
- See it together with the Istanbul University gate and the Beyazıt Tower on Beyazıt Square.
- On Fridays the square and courtyard get very crowded; moving your Grand Bazaar visit to another day makes things easier.
Our family hotels near Bayezid Mosque
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Bayezid Mosque: 16 min walk (1.1 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Sareban Hotel
Bayezid Mosque: 17 min walk (1.2 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Bayezid Mosque: 17 min walk (1.2 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Bayezid Mosque: 17 min walk (1.2 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Which is the oldest imperial mosque in Istanbul?
The oldest imperial mosque to survive in its original form is the Bayezid Mosque. The earlier Fatih Mosque collapsed in the 1766 earthquake and was rebuilt, so the title passed to the Bayezid Mosque.
