Sunday, November 23, 2014

Eyüp Sultan Mosque - Istanbul / Turkey

Eyüp Sultan Mosque - Istanbul / Turkey
Eyüp Sultan Mosque
Built in 1458, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque (Turkish: Eyüp Sultan Camii] has the honor of being the first mosque built by the Ottomans after the 1453 Conquest of Istanbul. It’s situated in the Eyüp district near the Golden Horn and Pierre Loti Hill.

The mosque was constructed next to the supposed burial ground of Abu Ayyub al- Ansari (Turkish: Eyüp Sultan], a close companion of the prophet Muhammad. He came to the city and died in the first attempt to take Istanbul. His grave wasn't discovered until the fall of the city seven centuries later. His tomb is revered by many Muslims and attracts many pilgrims. It also contains some of Muhammad’s personal belongings, including a stone that is said to bear his footprint.

Eyüp Sultan Mosque - Istanbul / Turkey
Eyüp Sultan Mosque
After the addition of such relics, the area surrounding the mosque became a sacred place. Many Ottoman officials and princes are buried in the nearby cemetery. The mosque was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1766, but was restored by Sultan Selim III. If you visit the mosque, be sure to walk or take a cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill for one of the best views in Istanbul.

Directions:

Buses 399B, 399C, 399D
Take the Haliç ferry line from Eminönü or Karaköy to Eyüp

Little Hagia Sophia - Istanbul / Turkey

Little Hagia Sophia
Little Hagia Sophia
Little Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Küçük Ayasofya Camii] is situated in the Sultanahmet district, southwest of The Blue Mosque and north of the Sea of Marmara.

It was originally named for Saints Sergius and Bacchus and built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 527 AD. The story goes that Justinian I was accused of plotting against his uncle, the then reigning emperor, Justin I. The night before Justinian I’s execution, Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before Justin I and testified that his nephew was innocent. The next day, Justinian was pardoned. As a token of gratitude to the saints, he built the church in their name when he became emperor.

In 1505, during the reign of Sultan Bayezid II, the church was converted into a mosque. Many changes were made to the interior, including the replacement of Christian ornaments with Islamic ornaments. Many windows of various dimensions were opened and others closed in the Ottoman architectural style.

Little Hagia Sophia
Little Hagia Sophia
Like so many structures in Istanbul, earthquakes took their toll on Little Hagia Sophia. However, the railways, built 1870-1871, in close proximity to the mosque caused the most damage. To protect the mosque, the Ottomans built a retaining wall in 1877. Further damage was caused during the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), when the mosque was used as a shelter for fugitives. The mosque underwent extensive restoration in the early 2000s and was reopened to the public in 2006.

Although Little Hagia Sophia is, indeed, smaller than Hagia Sophia (the larger and slightly younger), the architecture and interior are quite different. The inside of the mosque is cool and airy. The ornaments are done mostly in bright blue, with red, grey, and brown detailing. Calligraphed verses from the Koran and other holy symbols are aesthetically placed throughout the mosque. It’s a little out of the way, but guaranteed to be beautiful and far less busy than other major mosques.

Tips:

  • There are headscarves available for female visitors, but no robes.
  • Try and plan yourvisit around prayer times.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Rustem Pasha Mosque - Istanbul / Turkey

The Rüstem Pasha Mosque
The Rüstem Pasha Mosque
The Rüstem Pasha Mosque [Turkish: Rüstem Paşa Camii], can be found in the Eminönü district, situated near the Golden Horn. In 1560, Rüstem Pasha, Grand vizier and son-in-law to Süleiman the Magnificent, commissioned imperial architect, Mimar Sinan to build this small, but exquisite mosque. Rüstem Pasha died in 1561 before the mosque's completion in '1563. His tomb is located near Şehzade Mosque.

Rüstem Pasha Mosque is a rare example of Mimar Sinan's work that includes shopsı inns, and fountainsı whose rent was used to support the mosque. The mosque is also noted for its vast adornments of Iznik tiles in stunning floral and geometric patterns; in particular, the use of the tomato-red color, which was new and in vogue at the time. Due to earthquakes and fires over the years, the mosque underwent major repairs from 1962 to 1968.

The Rüstem Pasha Mosque
The Rüstem Pasha Mosque
The entrance to the mosque is a little hard to spot, but anyone working in the area will happily point you in the right direction.

Narrow, winding flights of stairs will lead you to the mosque`s courtyard, where you can see some of the most beautiful Iznik tiles in Istanbul.

The mosque is very close to the Spice Bazaar, New Mosque, and Süleymaniye Mosque.


Notes:Scarves and robes are available for women to cover their arms, legs, and heads.
Men should wear trousers instead of shorts.