Fatih Camii, Istanbul
The Fatih Mosque Complex (Fatih Camii ve Külliyesi) in Istanbul has a lovely interior like many Turkish mosques, but the primary importance of this mosque is its illustrious permanent resident, Mehmet the Conqueror (Fatih Mehmet).
History of Fatih Camii
The Imperial Fatih Mosque was constructed between 1462 and 1470 by Sultan Fatih Mehmet ("Mehmet the Conqueror"; 1432-81), who took Constantinople in 1453. The architect was Atik Sinan, not to be confused with the Sinan hired by Suleyman.
Sultan Mehmet's goal was to build an Islamic monument more spectacular than the Ayasofya Church. Legend has it that when the mosque failed to reach as high as the church - despite being bulit atop a hill - the sultan had the architect's hands cut off.
The mosque complex included a caravansary, a hospital, several hamams, the kitchens, and a market. Its school instructed up to 1,000 students at a time.
After an earthquake in 1509, the complex was restored by Beyazit II. During another earthquake in 1771, most of it collapsed. The present mosque and complex mostly date from a reconstruction under Mustafa III, completed in 1771. The mihrab, medreses (schools), and inner courtyard survive from the original complex.
What to See at Fatih Camii
The large Fatih Mosque stands atop the highest hill in Istanbul. Like the other classical mosques in the city, it has a tall central dome supported by semi-domes on all four sides. The painting of the spacious interior reveals a Baroque influence on 18th-century Ottoman art.
Surviving elements from the original 15th-century mosque include three galleries of the courtyard, the portal, the mihrab and the lower shafts of the minarets. The tombs of Mehmet II and his wife are located outside the mihrab wall.
The Fatih Mosque was built over the site of the Church of the Holy Apostles. Reused building materials from the church, such as column pieces and stone blocks of the foundations, have been identified in the courtyard of the Fatih Mosque.
Each Wednesday the area around the mosque is filled with a busy street market.
Quick Facts on Fatih Camii
Site Information | |
Names: | Fatih Camii |
---|---|
Country: | Turkey |
Categories: | mosques |
Styles: | Ottoman Empire |
Dates: | 1470; 1766 |
Visitor and Contact Information | |
Coordinates: | 41.019518° N, 28.949811° E |
Address: | Istanbul, Turkey |
Lodging: | View hotels near Fatih Camii |
References
- Frommer's Turkey: From the Blue Mosque to the Blue Lagoon, 3rd ed.
- Fatih Mosque - Archnet Digital Library
- TimeOut Istanbul - Fatih District
- Mehmed II - Wikipedia
More Information
- Photos of Fatih Camii - here on Sacred Destinations
Map of Fatih Camii, Istanbul
Below is a location map and aerial view of Fatih Camii. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.