Fatih Mosque: the first imperial mosque built after the conquest
- Mosques
- Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to Fatih Mosque
Visitor information
| Type | Imperial mosque and complex |
|---|---|
| Built | 1463–1470; rebuilt in 1771 after the 1766 earthquake |
| Commissioned by / architect | Mehmed the Conqueror; first architect Atik Sinan, rebuilt by Mehmed Tahir Ağa |
| Neighbourhood | 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 | 30–45 min (including the tomb) |
| Getting there | 15 min from the M2 Vezneciler-İstanbul Ü. stop; 10 min by taxi from Sultanahmet |
| From Sultanahmet Square | 3.6 km; a long walk, public transport recommended |
| Pushchair / stroller | Easy with a stroller. The courtyard and graveyard are wide and level |
| Best time | On a weekday morning; on Wednesdays the neighbourhood market around it is very crowded |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
History of the Fatih Mosque
On the city’s fourth hill, Mehmed the Conqueror founded a great complex on the site of the Church of the Holy Apostles, where the Byzantine emperors were buried. Around the mosque were eight madrasas known as the Sahn-ı Seman, a hospital, a soup kitchen, a caravanserai and a library; it became the most important centre of learning in the Ottoman Empire. The first mosque was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1766; in the reign of Mustafa III the architect Mehmed Tahir Ağa rebuilt it on a new plan with four half-domes. The courtyard, the outer portico and some of the gates survive from the original building.
Tomb of Mehmed the Conqueror
In the graveyard behind the mosque is the tomb of Mehmed II, the conqueror of Istanbul; the tomb too was rebuilt after the earthquake. Beside it is the tomb of his wife Gülbahar Hatun. Visitors to the tomb are expected to keep quiet and follow the dress code.
Around it: Çarşamba and Saraçhane
The mosque stands in the middle of the Fatih and Çarşamba neighbourhoods, where a conservative local way of life continues. On Wednesdays (çarşamba in Turkish) a large neighbourhood market is set up around the mosque. Saraçhane Park and the Aqueduct of Valens are a 10-minute walk away, as is the Hırka-i Şerif Mosque.
Visiting tips
- The easiest way from Sultanahmet to Fatih is to take the T1 to Laleli or the M2 to Vezneciler and walk, or take a taxi.
- You can combine the Aqueduct of Valens, the Şehzade Mosque and the Fatih Mosque in a half-day walk.
Our family hotels near Fatih 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
Fatih Mosque: 47 min walk (3.3 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Sareban Hotel
Fatih Mosque: 47 min walk (3.3 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Fatih Mosque: 47 min walk (3.3 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Fatih Mosque: 47 min walk (3.3 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Where is the tomb of Mehmed the Conqueror?
The tomb of Mehmed the Conqueror is in the graveyard behind the qibla wall of the Fatih Mosque in the Fatih district. The tomb is open to visitors.
