Beyazit Mosque

Why You Should Visit Bayezid Mosque

Of all the mosques in all of Istanbul, how do you manage to narrow down your ultimate choice? You can’t. It’s really that simple. There are far too many old, historic, and downright beautiful mosques in this city, and you have to visit more than one to get a real sense of the history and architecture of the Ottoman Empire. Every mosque has its own feel, it’s own personality, and visiting one would rob you of the ultimate Istanbul experience.

Having said that, one mosque you should certainly have on your visit short-list is the beautiful Bayezid Mosque. You might also see this mosque called Beyazit Mosque, but they are referring to the same building.

Bayezid Mosque is one of the most commonly photographed mosques you will see on brochures and websites pertaining to Istanbul. It is located in Bayezid Square, a space which is iconic in itself, as it is very close to the Forum of Theodosius of Ancient Constantinople remains. Nowadays, Bayezid Mosque stands next to Istanbul University and within walking distance of the Grand Bazaar, in the Fatih/Sultanahmet historic region of Istanbul.

The Unique History of the Bayezid Mosque

Bayezid Mosque dates back to 1501, with building completed in 1506. This is the oldest, currently standing selatin mosque in the city. To explain what that means, a selatin mosque is a mosque which was originally built on orders and in the name of a specific Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. In this case, Sultan Bayezid II ordered the mosque to be constructed, and he wanted a full mosque complex in imperial style, which means the mosque stands in the centre of the complex, and around it you will find various other important buildings, such as a Turkish bath, school, hospital, etc.

Nobody really knows who designed the Bayezid Mosque, however we do know that it was the second mosque complex of its kind to be built in the city after the Ottomans took over Constantinople. Whilst many architects’ names have been linked to the mosque, there is no firm answer on who’s work it was.

Bayezid Mosque’s Architectural Highlights

We already know that Bayezid Mosque is an imperial complex design, but it is also considered to be classically Ottoman in terms of its architectural content. The mosque is mainly constructed via granite and marble stones, however you will also see coloured stones here and there too. There are two minarets and a dome, which dominate the image, and these are a huge 44m high, and 17m wide. Throughout the mosque’s beautiful courtyard you will see marbles and columns which add to the wonder of the overall design.

In addition to the wonder of the mosque’s design, Sultan Bayezid II’s grave is also to be found within the mosque’s courtyard area. The Sultan himself actually played a very active role in the mosque’s functions during the early years, and rumour has it that he himself performed the mosque’s first salaat, or prayer.

As Istanbul is prone to earthquakes, and there have been several large ones in history, Bayezid Mosque did not emerge unscathed. During 1509, there was a large earthquake which devastated much of the city, and the mosque suffered large damages during this time. The mosque was repaired quite quickly, however it was renovated some years later, by the famous architect, Mimar Sinan, one of the most celebrated of the Ottoman Empire. At this time, a new arch was implemented inside the mosque.

In order to keep Bayezid Mosque’s appearance stable and as beautiful as the day it was built, ongoing restoration works are always happening, and the largest was in 2013, and currently ongoing.

Bayezid Mosque is Not to be Missed

Whether you call it Bayezid Mosque or Beyazit Mosque, the result is the same – this is a mosque which you must visit during your time in Istanbul. Not only for the fact it is super old, but also because it is so downright beautiful at the same time! By visiting this area, you’re also stepping foot on a very important place in history, and a vibrant spot for people watching. During the winter months, when snow often falls on the streets of Istanbul, students can be seen milling around before heading to classes at the University, shoppers are heading to the Grand Bazaar, pigeons are everywhere, and the whole feel is otherworldly, and so stunning beautiful that you won’t quite believe your eyes.

Bayezid Mosque’s outer area, as well as within the courtyard itself, is one for the photographers to embrace. The entire setting is something to behold.