Ortaköy Mosque

Istanbul, Turkey

Ortaköy Mosque (officially Büyük Mecidiye Camii) is a striking 19th-century mosque located on the Bosphorus waterfront in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. Commissioned by Sultan Abdülmecid I and designed by the Balyan family, it was completed around 1854-1856.

Famous for its picturesque setting near the Bosphorus Bridge, the mosque is a symbol of Ortaköy. Built in an eclectic mix of Ottoman Baroque and European Neoclassical styles, it features ornate stone carvings, a single dome, and two elegant minarets.

The mosque has undergone multiple restorations due to earthquake damage and fire, most recently in 2014. Inside, it features tall windows, marble and porphyry elements, trompe-l'œil frescoes, and calligraphy by Sultan Abdülmecid himself.

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Founded: 1854-1856
Category: Religious sites in Turkey

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