Kalenderhane Mosque: a Byzantine church at the foot of the aqueduct
- Mosques
- Vezneciler, Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to Kalenderhane Mosque
Visitor information
| Type | Byzantine church converted into a mosque |
|---|---|
| Built | 12th century (Komnenian period) |
| Commissioned by / architect | Byzantine period; after the conquest it was given to the Kalenderi dervishes |
| Neighbourhood | Vezneciler, 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 | 15–20 min |
| Getting there | M2 Vezneciler-İstanbul Ü. stop, 3 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 30 min walk (2.1 km) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Easy with a stroller |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
A church, a dervish lodge, a mosque
The building was rebuilt as a monastery church in the Komnenian period of Byzantium. After 1453 it became a lodge of the Kalenderi dervishes, and in the reign of Bayezid II it was converted into a mosque. During excavation and restoration in the 1960s, frescoes depicting the life of Saint Francis of Assisi were found, counted among the oldest known images of him; these frescoes are now kept in the Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
Visiting tips
- The Aqueduct of Valens, the Şehzade Mosque and Kalenderhane can all be seen on the same 15-minute walk.
Our family hotels near Kalenderhane 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
Kalenderhane Mosque: 25 min walk (1.8 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Sareban Hotel
Kalenderhane Mosque: 26 min walk (1.8 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Kalenderhane Mosque: 26 min walk (1.8 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Kalenderhane Mosque: 26 min walk (1.8 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Where does the name Kalenderhane come from?
After the conquest the building was given as a lodge to the Kalenderi dervishes, a wandering Sufi community. Kalenderhane means “house of the Kalenderis”.
