Rustem Pasa Camii is a blue beauty. You may stumble upon it but my mom and I were visiting it…read moreintentionally--it didn't seem like we were in the right place, and must be misunderstanding the directions, but then we practically tripped on it as we were wandering around the spice market. It will be very easy to overlook this This is another mosque designed by Sinan. It is named for Rustem Pasha, Grand Vizier for--and son-in-law of--Suleiman the Magnificent, and was completed a few years after Süleymaniye was finished. Although Sinan constructed many, many mosques, this one is somewhat unique in its extensive use of Iznik tile, which was created in a town in the Anatolian region. The extensive use of the tiles mean it's much more ornately decorated than many of the other mosques he designed. Taking a few moments of silence here. Take in both the architecture with many of the same elements of other mosques you may have visited in Istanbul (or elsewhere), with the marked difference of the tiling throughout. The tile remains incredibly vibrant in color for being set almost half a millennia. If you manage to find it, it's certainly worth popping in for a few minutes.

Sure. You're a tourist. They told you to go to the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya, maybe to Yeni Cami…read more But this mosque needs to be on your list as well. It is probably one of the most beautiful mosques in the world, and the tiles--so historic and gorgeous--must be seen. Read up on tile work before you got, just so that you can appreciate the craftsmanship that went into this mosque's construction. Getting there is a bit difficult: you have to go through the Spice Bazaar, and then through the back entrance down a street, and up a couple stairs. Ask along the way--it's definitely worth the extra effort.

We visited Eyüp Sultan Mosque when we made our way to Chora Church. It's not right next door, but…read moreit's in generally the same area of the city (the two sites are about ten minutes apart from one another), and we were staying in the Kadirga neighborhood near Sultanhamet. So we took the train to visit Eyüp Sultan Mosque. This was once the site where the Sultan of the realm would be granted their authority, akin to a coronation. The current mosque has been here only since the early 1800s, but there has been a holy place on this site since the 15th. When the site was rebuilt in the 19th century, it was built in the Baroque style. The mosque's namesake, Eyüp Sultan, is thought to have perished in the 7th century; there is a mausoleum on the grounds that is his final resting place. This mosque is one of the holiest sites in Islam, as Abu Ayyub al-Ansari--whose name is translated to Eyüp Ensari in Turkish--was a close friend of the Prophet Muhammed. Additionally, there are personal items belonging to the Prophet located here. The tomb of Sokollu Mehmet Pasa, after whom an eponymous mosque is named in Kadirga, is also located at this site. Besides being a very sacred site for Muslims, this is in general a more conservative neighborhood. As with any mosque, you should remember to bring your scarf to cover yourself or be prepared to use one that they have here.

This is one of the most important mosques for the Muslim world, considered as one of the pilgrimage…read moresights. It's located in Eyüp neighborhood which is a very traditional one therefore you'll see more conservative families. The mosque and the Mausoleum are recently restored. When you go inside you have to take your shoes off and put in the provided plastic bags. Ladies should cover their head, shoulders, legs, as usual in any mosque. You can take photos inside. There are several old Ottoman cemeteries around. Also don't forget to visit Pierre Loti cafeteria up on the hill. Note that this mosque is always full of people and it may get extremely crowded especially during religious holidays or on Fridays. Therefore I'd suggest to visit early in the morning in order to take better photos and have a less caotic enviroment.

"Rustem Pasha Mosque"…read more The Rustem Pasha Mosque was designed by Ottoman imperial architect. The Rustem Pasha Mosque is famous for its large quantities of exquisite Iznik tiles, that's what differentiates this mosque from the others as No other mosque in Istanbul makes such a lavish use of these tiles. The mosque is quite old as it was built around 1561 until 1563. It's not as large as the Blue Mosque or the Suleymaniye Mosque; it is nonetheless impressive and welcoming.

Went to a few mosques including the famous Blue Mosque but must say, that this is my favourite of…read morethem all!! A gem tucked away off one of the alleyways in the Egyptian Bazaar. Climbing up the back stairs, you suddenly feel transported to another time/era and the big reveal of the mosque entrance. Fantastic example of the use of the gorgeous Iznik tiles!Non muslims can enter freely.A must visit.

Fascinating mosque right on the water. Commissioned in 1777 the mosque suffered a dome collapse in…read more1983 and has been restored. It looks stunning and the restoration was perfect. Sadly we arrived at prayer so were unable to go in. But if you're in the area it is definitely worth a stop.

Located across from the gate number one entry to the Grand Bazaar, the Nuruosmaniye Mosque is a…read morebeautiful place that should be added to a trip to Istanbul. We stopped in because I asked our guide, Art from Latitude Tours, about it as we walked by this mosque on our way to the Grand Bazaar. I was so glad that she took our family inside this special place for a quick visit. Built in the Ottoman-Baroque style from 1748-1755, it has the many distinctive and unique features. It has the fourth largest dome in Istanbul after the Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque and Faith Mosque. The courtyard has a circular horseshoe shape which is also a classical Baroque architectural detail. The dome is supported by iron bracing. The mosque also features 174 windows which flood the interior with light. The name, Nuruosmaniye or "The Light of Osman," references both these lights as well as Sultan Osman III who commissioned the completion of the construction of this mosque. Instead of the Iznik tilework found in many other Sultan mosques, the interior is lined with gold calligraphy with prayers from the Koran. There is also an active cistern under the mosque. Since it does not have the name recognition that the Blue Mosque possesses, it is less visited by tourists although it is an active mosque that is still used as a place of worship for daily prayers. It was very nice for our family to visit this very peaceful and serene mosque and quietly reflect.

I am unsure about how I feel about Nuruosmaniye Mosque, the center of worship for the eastern part…read moreof the Grand Bazaar. I think it is a beautiful mosque, but it is also an architectural abomination. Commissioned by Sultan Osman III, Nuruosmaniye Mosque ("Light of the Osman" after the sultan) was designed during the time of experimentation. The mid-18th century Istanbul saw the emergence of the new architectural style that emphasized curved line - the Ottoman Baroque style. Consequently, Nuruosmaniye was designed such that the single dome was bizarrely buttressed by a single arch on each side of the building. However, while the exterior left me ambivalent, the interior of the mosque was undeniably beautiful to me. True to its name, Nuruosmaniye interior was designed to intake as much light as possible through its stained window, so even at night, the inside of the mosque was beautifully and colorfully lit by the subtle light. Nuruosmaniye also held a special place in my heart too. After finally escaping the labyrinth-like Grand Bazaar, I entered this mosque only with the intention to rest my legs. Before I could leave though, the minarets called for evening prayer, and then the exit was blocked by a crowd rushing from seemingly nowhere into the formerly empty mosque to join the prayer. I decided that I was better off staying to witness the prayer unfold. Hence, Nuruosmaniye was the location where I unintentionally stumbled into my first observation of a Muslim prayer, which was one of the most amazing rituals I have witnessed. Anyway, Nuruosmaniye is located at the eastern exit of the Grand Bazaar, so why not take a break in this mosque so you can admire this interesting building? When you do have the opportunity to witness Nuruosmaniye, please let me know whether you agree or disagree with my ambivalent disdain for this Ottoman Baroque masterpiece.

Peaceful and active 16th-century Ottoman mosque in Saraçhane park, Fatih district. You can't miss…read moreit if you're here to see the Valens Aqueduct. It is most notable for its spiral minaret. Built in 1550 on behalf of Emin Nuretti Efendi, qadi 'asker of Egypt, it is named for its spiraling (burmalı) brick minaret, a copy of a Seljuq design that is unique in Istanbul. The mosque is not domed, but has a pitched porch, which rests on four reused Byzantine Corinthian stone columns. Unusually, the entrance is off-center behind a column. You can meet some nice cats here.

Süleymaniye Camii is one of the grand mosques in the city of Istanbul, built during the rule of…read moreSuleiman the Magnificent in the 1550s. (His wife, Roxelana, is a fascinating and influential woman in her own right--check out the Stuff You Missed in History Class episode "The Cinderella of the Harem", or the Ottoman History podcast, or probably others for further information on this woman.) The mosque is not just a mosque; this is more akin to a campus. There's the mosque for prayer, as well as gardens, outbuildings, and a caravanserai used by travelers in the middle ages. It was built by Sinan, the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire; Süleymaniye is probably his most famous work. Sinan is buried near the mosque, and Roxelana and her husband have mausoleums on the grounds. This mosque felt a bit brighter than others to me, because there's lots of white and brighter colors--orange is a major one here. It's been through a lot in the intervening half-millennium; multiple fires have raged on the grounds, and in one of the world wars it was a weapons hub. But luckily for us, it has been under renovation multiple times throughout its history as well, and is in good repair at present. Take a visit to this mosque and learn more about Roxelana! (And Suleiman and Sinan, too, I guess.)

The Süleymaniye Mosque ( is an Ottoman imperial mosque located on the Third Hill of Istanbul,…read moreTürkiye. The mosque was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520-1566) and designed by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan. As part of our tour, our tour guide led us to the mosque, explained its significance, and let us explore the grounds. Women are required to cover up inside the building, as is custom. The mosque is one of the largest in the city and is a part of the designated UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Areas of Istanbul." The mosque is beautiful with its large dome and minarets. The building is one of the most recognizable buildings in Istanbul. It overlooks the Bosphorus River. Construction began in 1550 and completed in 1559. The mausoleum was added later between 1566-1568. Entrance was free.