Zeyrek Mosque

The Story of Zeyrek Mosque

Fatih is one of the oldest parts of Istanbul, and features some of the most visited and historic sights across the entire city. If you dare to venture just a little further, taking yourself out of your touristic comfort zone, you will be able to see traditional and authentic daily life in this region, as well as some hidden gems that you may otherwise never have discovered.

One of those wonderful hidden gems is the historic Zeyrek Mosque.

About Zeyrek Mosque

Istanbul is a city which is a melting pot of different cultures, thanks to the various nationalities which have settled in the city over the years. Within this, we see not only mosques, but churches, cathedrals, and synagogues, belonging to the different communities who have laid down roots in the various parts of the city.

This is really part of what makes Istanbul so special.

Zeyrek Mosque is now, as the name would suggest, a functioning mosque, but it was formerly a church during the Byzantine era. At that time, it was called the Pantokrator Monastery. After Constantinople fell to the Ottomans during 1453, the church was converted into a mosque, as many of the churches of the time were. Prior to this, Pantokrato Monastery was the second largest church in Istanbul, with the first being Hagia Sophia.

The original monastery was made up of three smaller churches, which were built during the 12th century. The first church was ordered to be built in 1118, with the last being built during 1150.

After the Ottomans took hold of Constantinople, Pantokrator Monastery became Zeyrek Mosque, and the entire complex was turned into a traditional mosque complex, consisting of a madrasa and the mosque itself. The name was chosen after the scholar of the madrasa, Molla Zeyrek.

As larger and more central mosques were built over time, Zeyrek Mosque was left relatively abandoned for a long period of time. In 2004 however, UNESCO added Zeyrek Mosque to a list of monuments for restoration, and nowadays it is in much better condition, and open for visitors.

Visiting Zeyrek Mosque

As Zeyrek Mosque is a functioning mosque, it is open all the time, apart from during prayer times, when it is closed to general visitors. The mosque is free to enter, although donations are always very greatly received, and will keep the mosque in a great state of preservation for many years to come.

Zeyrek Mosque is located in the Unkapani region of Istanbul, which is close to Fatih. It isn’t difficult to reach the mosque, as there are many buses which run in this direction, and provided the traffic isn’t too bad (avoid rush hour and first thing in the morning) then you should have a relatively smooth journey there and back again.

You can catch the bus from Eminonu or Fatih, and you simply need to get off the bus at Unkapani Bus Station. Once there, look out for the fabric market (bazaar) and walk straight down the hill which is opposite. You’ll see the mosque in front of you. The journey sounds difficult, but it’s actually very straightforward when you get there and see it for yourself.

Another important mosque is located very close to Zeyrek Mosque, namely Sehzade Mosque, which has its own wonderful back story, and is also a fantastic architectural delight. In addition, we know that Fatih itself is one of the oldest parts of Istanbul, and you can venture around and explore the district, taking in the authentic feel of life. The Walls of Constantinople are to be found around this part of the city in their best preserved state, and you can walk along certain portions, literally touching ancient history.

If you venture further down towards Sultanahmet, which is very easy from Fatih, you’ll be able to discover more ancient delights, such as Hagia Sophia itself, Blue Mosque, and even the Grand Bazaar. This part of Istanbul is packed with things to see and do, and even if you only spend an hour or two visiting the beautiful Zeyrek Mosque itself, you can certainly pack the rest of your day with nearby attractions and sights, to complete your fun and action-packed day. Remember your camera, as you will certainly need it for all the sights you’re going to see, and if you do head towards the Grand Bazaar in Sultanahmet, be sure to practice your haggling skills, and purchase some authentic Istanbul souvenirs, to take back home for your loved ones.