Yavuz Selim Mosque: a plain, majestic mosque above the Golden Horn
- Mosques
- Çarşamba, Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to Yavuz Selim Mosque
Visitor information
| Type | Imperial mosque |
|---|---|
| Built | 1520s (completed in the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent) |
| Commissioned by / architect | Suleiman the Magnificent, in memory of his father Selim I (Yavuz Sultan Selim) |
| Neighbourhood | Çarşamba, 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 | 10 min uphill from Fener; 15 min by taxi from Sultanahmet |
| From Sultanahmet Square | 4 km; a long walk, public transport recommended |
| Pushchair / stroller | Partly suitable. The climb from Fener and Balat is steep |
| Best time | In the afternoon, together with a visit to Fener and Balat |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
The simplicity of a single dome
The mosque consists of a square prayer hall covered by a single great dome, without half-domes, and guest wings on either side. This plain plan is often associated with the stern, soldierly character of Selim I. The arcades of the courtyard and the window lunettes have tiles made with the early coloured-glaze (cuerda seca) technique.
Çukurbostan and the view
The wide sunken area right next to the mosque is the open-air Cistern of Aspar from Byzantine times; because it was used for many years as a vegetable garden (bostan), it is called “Çukurbostan” (the sunken garden). From the side of the mosque facing the Golden Horn you can see Fener, Balat and the far shore of the Golden Horn.
Visiting tips
- After the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Greek High School in Fener, climb the hill to the mosque, then walk down to Balat on the way back.
- The tomb of Selim I and the tomb of the princes next to it are behind the mosque.
Our family hotels near Yavuz Selim 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
Yavuz Selim Mosque: 56 min walk (3.9 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Sareban Hotel
Yavuz Selim Mosque: 57 min walk (4 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Yavuz Selim Mosque: 57 min walk (4 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Yavuz Selim Mosque: 57 min walk (4 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Yavuz Selim Mosque?
It is in the Çarşamba neighbourhood of the Fatih district, on the fifth hill overlooking the Golden Horn. It is about a 10-minute uphill walk from Fener and Balat.
