New Mosque in Eminönü: a queen mother’s mosque that took 68 years
- Mosques
- Eminönü, Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to New Mosque
Visitor information
| Type | Imperial mosque (built by a queen mother) |
|---|---|
| Built | 1597–1665 |
| Commissioned by / architect | Begun by Safiye Sultan, completed by Turhan Hatice Sultan; architects Davud Ağa, Dalgıç Ahmed Ağa and Mustafa Ağa |
| Neighbourhood | Eminönü, 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 Eminönü stop, 1 min; Marmaray Sirkeci, 7 min |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 22 min walk (1.6 km) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Partly suitable. You climb a few steps from the square to the courtyard |
| Best time | In the morning or late afternoon, for the pigeons in the courtyard and the light on the Golden Horn |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
Why the “new” mosque?
Construction was begun in 1597 by Safiye Sultan, wife of Murad III and mother of Mehmed III. When Mehmed III died in 1603 the work stopped and the building was left half-finished; after the great Eminönü fire of 1660, Turhan Hatice Sultan, mother of Mehmed IV, restarted construction and the mosque opened in 1665. Because for many years it was known as “the newly built queen mother’s mosque”, the name New Mosque stuck.
The complex: the Spice Bazaar and the royal pavilion
The L-shaped bazaar built to fund the mosque was named the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı, “Egyptian Bazaar” in Turkish) because it was built with tax revenue from Egypt, or because Egyptian goods were sold there. The royal pavilion to the east of the mosque is where the sultan rested when he came for Friday prayers. The complex also includes the tomb of Turhan Sultan, a primary school and fountains.
Visiting tips
- From the middle of the Galata Bridge, the New Mosque and the Süleymaniye behind it appear in the same frame.
- The ablution fountain and the pigeons in the courtyard fascinate children; seed sellers are on the square.
- If you are taking a Bosphorus cruise from the Eminönü ferry pier, see the mosque first and then the Spice Bazaar.
Our family hotels near New 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
New Mosque: 27 min walk (1.9 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
New Mosque: 28 min walk (1.9 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Sareban Hotel
New Mosque: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Green Life Apart Hotel
New Mosque: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Why did the New Mosque take so long to build?
Construction stopped in 1603 when Mehmed III died and remained half-finished for about 60 years. It was restarted at the initiative of Turhan Hatice Sultan and completed in 1665.
