Conqueror's Mosque (Fatih Camii), Istanbul
Exterior of Fatih Camii. Photo
birdfarm.
Interior of Fatih Mosque. Photo © Dick Osseman.
Domes of the Fatih Mosque. Photo © Dick Osseman.
Closer look at the central dome. Photo
Luisangel.
Tomb of Mehmet II "the Conqueror." Photo
albTotxo.Location map and aerial view of the Fatih Mosque. For a
larger view see our Istanbul Map or get our free Google Earth download.
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
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
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
| Type of site: | Mosque |
| Dates: | 1462-70; 1776-71 |
| Architecture: | Ottoman |
| Architect: | Atik Sinan |
| Location: | Enter on FevziPasa Cadessi, Fatih |
| Phone: | No phone |
| Hours: | Dawn-dusk |
| Cost: | Free |
Travel Resources
- Istanbul Map - our own interactive city map plus links to more online maps
- Guided Tours of Istanbul - sightseeing tours, activities, day trips
- Istanbul Hostels - search and book budget lodgings
- Istanbul Hotel Reviews - the real truth on hotels from fellow travelers
- Istanbul Car Rentals - explore Turkey with a car picked up in Istanbul
- Istanbul Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Istanbul
Article Sources
- 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
