What Is the Yeni Valide Sultan Camii (New Mosque)?
This is the imperial mosque of two Ottoman queens: Safiye Sultan and Turhan Sultan!
What Makes It Historical?
This mosque dates back to a unique period in Turkish history known as the Sultanate of Women! Until 1533, sultans didn’t marry; instead, they kept a harem of slave-wives who could only have one son each so none of them would have undue influence over the sultan. That all changed when Suleiman the Magnificent met Roxelana of Ruthenia (now Poland), married her, and gave her the new title of Haseki Sultan or imperial consort! Breaking tradition, she had six children with the sultan, stayed in Istanbul her whole life, and had major influence over public works around the city!
From then until 1656, six sultans had short reigns, and their queen mothers, (Valide Sultans) had lots of power! Safiye Sultan, wife of Murad III, ordered this mosque to be built as a sphere of Islamic influence in a mostly Jewish neighborhood, which met with huge opposition! After the sultan died, Safiye lost her influence, while the next sultan, Ahmet I, had interest in other projects, putting a pause on this mosque in 1603!
Construction resumed in 1660 under order of Turhan Sultan, mother of Mehmed IV, who also ordered construction of the nearby Spice Bazaar as a way to fund the mosque’s upkeep! Completed in 1663 and inaugurated in 1665, the New Mosque features 66 domes and semi-domes and was built to include a hospital, primary school, and palace!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- !
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
Rüstem Paşa, Yeni Cami Cd. No:3
34116 Fatih/İstanbul
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The New Mosque is open to visitors daily from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM, but it closes during prayer times. Listen for the muezzin!