Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque

The Beauty of Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque

Of all the mosques in Istanbul (and there are many), few are as picturesque as Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque, otherwise known as Ortakoy Mosque.

Of course, the Blue Mosque is without a doubt the most famous in Istanbul, but this beautiful architectural delight is a very close runner up. When you see pictures of it, you’ll understand why, as it sits right on the banks of the Bosphorus, next to the huge and imposing Bosphorus Bridge. This is one of the most photographed sites in the entire city, and a place you shouldn’t miss!

Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque, or Ortakoy Mosque as will call it for ease of typing, dates back to the 18th century, and is actually built on the former site of another mosque. Completed in 1855, it was commissioned as the imperial mosque to Sultan Abdulmecid of the Ottoman Empire. Designed by Garabet Balyan, a famous architect from Armenia, this is the same man who is responsible for the stunning Dolmabahce Palace. From that comparison, you can understand how opulent and beautiful Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque is from the outside. The inside is just as jaw dropping.

The Architecture of Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque

Built in classic Neo-Baroque Style, the outer is truly opulent and ornate, and has decoration everywhere you look. The windows are huge, allowing the light to enter the inside, and at sunset, there truly is no more stunning sight.

Inside the mosque, the main room is quite small, with a dome shaped ceiling, decorated in pink mosaic stones. The outer has two minarets, and one classic balcony. Right next to the mosque is the summer palace of the Sultan himself, attached to the mosque.

Visiting Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque

Considered one of the most important mosques in Istanbul, it’s no surprise that there are many people wanting to head inside the mosque on a daily basis. The good news is that it is open every day, from 9am until 6pm, and there is no standard entrance fee, although donations are always very welcome. Remember that this is a functioning mosque, so during prayer times it will be closed to the general public. This is something to be aware of when planning your visit, if you don’t have a lot of time.

The area around Ortakoy Mosque is certainly a spot to explore. Right on the banks of the Bosphorus, with the huge bridge towering over you, this is a true camera spot. There is also a very nice cafe right on the edge of the water, with open design, so you can take in the moment and enjoy a tea or coffee, or perhaps a slice of take. This restaurant also does an amazing traditional Turkish breakfast, with the best view around.

As you enter the area around the mosque and towards the bridge, there is almost a carnival feel, with many stalls selling jacket potatoes and sweet waffles. It would be a crime not to try one! Head to the other side of the mosque and there are many bars and restaurants too.

Ortakoy overall is a very vibrant place to visit, with some fantastic nightlife, so this is a spot to visit during your time in the city.

How to Get to Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque

Ortakoy is a very easy place to visit, although the Metro service doesn’t run this far. If you want to explore on foot, it is possible to walk towards Ortakoy from Besiktas, and it should take you around half an hour. This is actually a very pleasant walk, and it will take you right down the main street, with pictures of Ataturk dotted along the wall on one side.

If you don’t want to walk, your only option option is a taxi or to catch the bus. Taxis from Taksim should only cost you around 20TL maximum, so this is certainly an affordable option. If you want to take the bus, you can either catch this from Taksim or Besiktas, looking for Ortakoy or Bebek on the name plate. These are regular, so you shouldn’t be waiting too long.

On your way back, do be aware that buses stop around midnight/1am at the latest, so a taxi is your best bet to return to your accommodation for the night. Walking at this time is not recommended!

Overall, whether you want to call it by its traditional name, or Ortakoy Mosque, this is a spot you should definitely have on your Istanbul itinerary. A photograph of this stunning piece of history alone is worth a million memories.