Ortaköy Mosque

One of the structures that comes to mind when Istanbul is mentioned, Ortaköy Mosque, captivates local and foreign visitors with its elegant architecture that complements the unique beauty of the Bosphorus. Located in the Ortaköy neighborhood of Beşiktaş district, on the Bosphorus coast, the mosque gives visitors the feeling of gliding over the sea thanks to its location. The silhouette of its domes reflected in the water and the Bosphorus Bridge in the background create a view that blends history and modernity, offering an unforgettable tableau for those passing by boat.

History of Ortaköy Mosque

Ortaköy Mosque (also known as Büyük Mecidiye Mosque among the people) was built between 1853 and 1856 by Sultan Abdülmecid and designed by the Armenian architect Nigoğos Balyan. Shortly after its construction, due to its delicate structure, it underwent its first renovations in 1862 and 1866. The mosque, severely damaged in the great Istanbul earthquake of 1894, was repaired with a comprehensive restoration in 1909, during which time new, simpler-looking minarets were built to replace the destroyed fluted minarets. When cracks reappeared in the structure in the 1960s, a restoration was carried out to strengthen the foundation and renew the dome; as a result of these efforts, the mosque was reopened for worship in 1969. Partially damaged in a fire in 1984, the structure was again restored to its former glory. Finally, following a comprehensive restoration lasting three years between 2011 and 2014, the mosque was reopened for worship and visits in June 2014. Today, the mosque serves both as an active place of worship and as a historical landmark visited with great interest by both domestic and foreign tourists.

Architecture of Ortaköy Mosque

Reflecting the characteristics of the Neo-Baroque style, Ortaköy Mosque has an extremely magnificent appearance with its white cut stone exterior and dense relief stone decorations. The mosque has a silhouette different from classical Ottoman mosques with its single-domed, square-plan main prayer hall and two slender minarets with single balconies, accessed by stairs. Large windows surrounding the prayer hall walls in two rows bring the changing light of the Bosphorus into the interior, filling the building with daylight. The mosque, with its dome decorated with pink mosaics, marble panels, and low-hanging crystal chandeliers, offers a dazzling atmosphere in the interior, resembling a baroque palace hall; the fine marble-mosaic workmanship displayed in the mihrab and minbar reflects the elegance of Ottoman art. Furthermore, beautiful calligraphic panels prepared in the handwriting of Sultan Abdülmecid, known for his interest in calligraphy, adorn the walls, enriching the spiritual atmosphere of the mosque.

Exploring Ortaköy Mosque by Yacht

Perched on the shores of Ortaköy, right on the edge of the Bosphorus, the Ortaköy Mosque is one of the rare structures where the place of worship is so intertwined with the water, making its location not only an architectural but also an emotional center. Viewed from the sea, the mosque presents a sense of elegant openness rather than a heavy monumentality; the proportions and windows of the facade reveal how light enters from afar. Often surrounded by crowds and activity from land, the structure appears much calmer, more rhythmic, and balanced when viewed from water level. As the yacht moves parallel to the shore, the mosque is perceived as a structure breathing in rhythm with the flow of the Bosphorus. At this point, the architecture expresses itself not by rising, but by approaching the water. The Ortaköy Mosque reminds us that worship can be experienced not only in an enclosed space but also in harmony with the view and light. Stopping and observing here is like capturing a brief moment of introspection amidst the daily hustle and bustle of the Bosphorus. Seeing the Ortaköy Mosque in this tranquility creates an even deeper impact when you sail along the Bosphorus on a chartered yacht. Those wishing to plan a trip passing in front of Ortaköy Mosque can browse our fleet of yacht options online according to their preferred duration and number of people, and evaluate how their budget is shaped by the menu and extra service options via yatkiralama.net/en step-by-step.