Small Mosques
|
|
|
Ortaköy Mosque by Bülent Yüksel
|
Şemsipaşa Cami
Şemsipaşa Mosque in Üsküdar is one of the works of famous architect Mimar Sinan and it is considered by some architects to be as important as Süleymaniye
Mosque (another of Sinan's works). It was ordered built by Şemsi Paşa in 1580,
and it is one of the smallest and last works of Sinan. According to legend,
even birds don't land on the dome and minaret and don't dirty the mosque out
of respect forto the spectacular work of Sinan. Therefore it is called Kuşkonmaz
Mosque (literally, birds don't land).
Mahmutbey Cami
Located in the Kasaba village in Kastamonu, this mosque was ordered constructed
in 1366 by Emir Mahmut without a single nail being driven on the ceiling. The
original door of the mosque is on display at the Ethnography Museum in Kastamonu.
However, the current door is a perfect duplicate of the original one. There
are two stones in the sides of the niche which can still rotate; proof that
the structure of this 637-year-old building has not slipped even a millimeter.
Bebek Cami
This mosque is famous for its turquoise windows and is located next to Bebek
port on the Bosphorus. It is the work of Head-architect Kemallettin Bey and
was built in 1913. The wooden work on the pulpit immediately attracts attention.
The pulpit has a dramatic appearance, with its engravings and arches. The architect
preferred turquoise glass on the sixteen windows instead of the indigo, red
and yellow glasses used in other mosques and this added a different color and
dimension to the building.
Divriği Ulu Cami
One of the nine Turkish works on UNESCO's World Heritage List, the mosque and
its adjoining hospital are located in Divriği, in Sivas, south of the citadel
and on the western skirts of Igımbat hill. This mosque was built in 1223. Ahlatlı
Hürremshah was the architect. Florar motifs cover the door and, since this decoration
resembles a cloth, it istherefore called "Textile Door".
Ortaköy Cami
It is situated in Ortaköy Square, which is a very attractive place for
the people of İstanbul and visitors, especially on the weekends. Also called
Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, it was built in 1854-55 by the famous architect Nigos Balyan under the directive of Sultan Abdülmecid. There is a two-story pew
on the left reserved for the Sultan's prayers. The quay in front of the mosque
was built for the Sultan to approach on his Sultanate boat, and enabled him
to go directly to his pew.
Yeşil Cami
Named after the color of its minaret (yeşil - green), which is overlayed with
green surface tiles, this mosque is located at the center of a big square in
İznik. Çandarlı Halil Hayrettin Paşa had this mosque built in 1391 and Musaoğlu
Hacı was its architect. The body is a polygon prism which, however, rises in
a cylindrical shape with a conical end. There are octagonal tiles and six-cornered
stars between the ring around the body, and stone embellishments.
Birgi Ulu Cami
Ulu Mosque is in Birgi, in the Ödemiş district of İzmir and was built by Aydınoğlu
Mehmet Bey in 1311-1312. It attracts attention with its walls covered with cut
stones, its square design, its eight columns, its wooden ceiling and its minaret.
If you go to Birgi don't forget to visit the restored historical houses.
Valide Sultan Cami
This mosque is one of famous Sarkis Balyan's works, and Pertevniyal Sultan,
the mother of Sultan Abdülaziz, ordered it built in 1871. Ithas been open to
worship since then. The square where it is located was once a large one; however,
now it is almost lost between the streets and avenues constructed throughout
the years.
Rüstempaşa Cami
This mosque is located at the Mercan entrance into Tahtakale, Eminönü, and it
is one of the works of famous architect Mimar Sinan. Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent
had this mosque built for his son-in-law in 1561. Today the neighboring buildings
host spice traders, and you walk into the mosque in the company of beautiful
spice scents. Unique İznik tiles were used in the inner walls. You ought to
spare a day to visit Rüstempaşa Mosque and environs.
İzzet Mehmet Paşa Cami
This mosque in Safranbolu was constructed with cut stones in 1796 by an unknown
architect, under the directive of İzzet Mehmet Paşa, one of the grand viziers
of Sultan Selim III. It is located next to the Arasta.