Turkey is a modern city with the longest possible history that dates as early as the prehistoric era. The estimated 10,000 year of city is a treasure trove of stories, historical events and the vibrant culture that got shaped through the various empires and dynasties that ruled over it from time to time. The myriads of layers that the city presents, the depth and profoundness of the culture that it adds to the modern city life of today is the result of a long earned wisdom that comes from standing tall through all the crest and fall of the time for thousands of years.
Evidently, the mosques in Turkey are much more than just prayer halls. The Mosque city of Turkey – as it is often referred to as, boasts of some of the most beautiful mosques that has been a major tourist attraction. The mosques present unmatched architectural and aesthetic marvel makes you go completely spellbound. These mosques give a profoundness and character to the skyline of Turkey that is remarkably unique in the entire world. The mosques in Turkey have some of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world. Let us take a look at some of the absolutely must visit mosques in Turkey.
Mosques in Turkey that are architectural wonders
The pristine beauty of Turkey with clear blue sky above the magnificent domes and minarets that characterizes the landscape of the place makes it different and unique when compared to other tourist spots all over the world.
1. Grand Mosque of Bursa
Built between 1396 and 1399 I during the Ottoman Empire, Grand Mosque of Bursa is a true marvel of the Ottoman architecture that was heavily influenced by the Seljuk architectural style. The display of calligraphy on the walls and columns of the mosque is the best site to see Islamic calligraphy. The rectangular structure of the mosque stands over a stretch of 5000 sq.m of land and contains 2 minarets and 20 domes.
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2. Selimiye Mosque, Edirne
One of the most magnanimous structures stretched over an expansive land of 28,500 sq.m, Selimiye Mosque was built by the Mimar Sinan for Sultan Selim II of Edrine. Many feature on its cap the mosque can accommodate 6,000 people in its prayer hall, has been touted to be his masterpiece by Mimar Sinan himself and has been listed in UNESCO world heritage site in the year 2011.
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3. New Mosque, Istanbul
One of the last and the largest mosque in Turkey, Istanbul, built by the Ottoman family, the construction of the New Mosque started in 1597 and continued till 1665. Oniginally named as Valide Sultan Mosque, which literally translates to the Queen Mother was named after the mother of Suntan Mehme III upon her order to commemorate her son’s ascending the throne. The structure and design of the mosque as a complex serves the religious as well as cultural purpose.
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4. Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
Yet another masterstroke by the great architect, Mimar Sinan, Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the biggest mosque in Turkey built between 1550 and 1558 upon the order of Suleyman on the lines of the Dome of the Rocks at the temple of Solomon. Proclaiming himself as the ‘second Solomon’, Suleyman decreed this mosque to be made which stands tall as an emblem of the golden age of the Ottomans during the reign of the great Sultan Suleyman.
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5. Sultanahmet Mosque, Istanbul
Designed by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, The Sultanahmet Mosque is a famous mosque in Turkey. It is a true marvel of architecture which was built between 1609 and 1616. One of the oldest structures with six minarets, it is a unique mosque of its time. The grandiose of the structure similar to the Suleymaniye Mosque and the use of Iznik tiles, makes it the most attractive mosque in the whole of Istanbul.
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6. Kocatepe Mosque, Ankara
One of the largest mosques in Istanbul that stands in the capital city of Ankara in Turkey is the Kocatepe Mosque and was built between 1967 and 1987. The sheer size and the magnanimous structure of the mosque make it visible from almost every part of the city. Inspired by the Selimiye mosque, Sultan Ahmet mosque and Sehzade masjid, the magnificent structure beautifully blends the neo-classical Ottoman architecture and Byzantine architecture.
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7. Sabancı Central Mosque, Adana
One of the largest Turkish mosques, Sabanci is inspired by the Selimiye Mosque of Edirne and Sultan Ahmed’s masjid. It has six minarates and eight pillars carrying the main dome. Standing tall on the banks of the Seyhan River, Sabanci Central Mosque is built over a land of 52,600 sq.m with a closed area of 6,600 sq.m.
8. Abdülhamid Han Mosque, Kahramanmaraş
Stretched over a land of 3600 square meters, this is one of the largest masjids in Turkey which as built between 1993 to 2011. Srtuctured on four minars, the architectural grandeur is further highlighted when the minars are illuminated at the night time.
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9. Mimar Sinan Mosque, Ataşehir, Istanbul
The magnificent structure of the Mimar Sinan Mosque portrays the perfect blend of the Ottoman style and the modern architecture. Constructed over an area of 36,758 square meters with a closed area of 2,808 square meters, the mosque has the capacity accommodate a crowd of 10,000 people.
10. Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque, Ankara
One of the latest and beautiful mosques in Turkey to have been built between 2008 and 2013, Ahmet hamdi Akseki Mosque spells sheer grandiose through its magnanimous structure. The Ottoman-Turkish influence in the architecture that is pretty much evident in all the spiritual constructs in Turkey is seen marrying modern architectural elements actuating its beauty in a manifold manner.
Evidently, the mosques in incredible Turkey are much more than just prayer halls. They are rather the signature of the great Sultans and other eminent historical figures who reigned over the land. An emblem of architectural, aesthetic and cultural heritage of Turkey, these mosques adds to the country’s uniqueness in various ways. The richness and opulence of Turkey through the ages is depicted in absolute perfection through these magnificent mosques.
Further Read: A Quick Rundown Of 82 Best Places To Visit In Turkey That Must Be On Your Itinerary
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