Vaniköy Mosque

History of Vaniköy Mosque

Vaniköy Mosque was built in 1670 by Vaniköy Mehmed Efendi, one of the viziers of Sultan Mehmed IV. Mehmed Efendi, who gave his name to the mosque, is also known as the founder of the Vaniköy district. Mehmed Efendi's settlement in Vaniköy and the construction of a mosque here made significant contributions to the development of the district. During this period, the Bosphorus was a favorite residential area for courtiers and wealthy families, and the Vaniköy Mosque, along with other religious buildings in the region, contributed to this architectural fabric. On November 15, 2020, a large fire broke out in the Vaniköy Mosque. The fire destroyed a large part of the mosque, but with the restoration works that started after the fire, the mosque was rebuilt in accordance with its original. The restoration works were carried out meticulously in order to preserve the historical and architectural features of the mosque and to ensure that it remains open for worship in the future. Vaniköy Mosque is still used for both worship and cultural activities today.

Vaniköy Mosque Architecture

Vaniköy Mosque has a simple but elegant architecture. It is built of wood and is different from many other mosques on the Bosphorus with this feature. Since wooden mosques are rare structures in Ottoman architecture, this feature of Vaniköy Mosque is very valuable. The interior of the mosque is kept as simple as the exterior. Its wooden ceiling has given the mosque a warm and friendly atmosphere. Its pulpit, mihrab and lectern are also remarkable for their woodwork. In the interior decoration of the mosque, the ornamental elements were kept to a minimum, and functionality was at the forefront.

How to Get to Vaniköy Mosque

You have several alternatives to go to Vaniköy Mosque:

Bus

You can take the buses departing from Üsküdar Square and going in the direction of Kandilli, Çengelköy. One of these buses allows you to get off at the Vaniköy stop. After getting off the stop, you can walk to the mosque. You can also reach Vaniköy Mosque by taking the minibuses going from Üsküdar to Beykoz. Minibuses also stop at the Vaniköy stop.

Steamship

After taking the ferry from Beşiktaş to Üsküdar, you can reach the mosque by using the buses or minibuses departing from Üsküdar.

Marmaray

You can get off at Üsküdar station using the Marmaray, then reach Vaniköy Mosque with the options above.

Private Car

If you want to go with your private car, you can reach Vaniköy by following the Çengelköy-Kandilli coastal road on the Bosphorus coast. If you follow the coastal road after leaving Üsküdar, you can see the signs for Vaniköy. Since the mosque is located on the shores of the Bosphorus, it will be easily noticed on the road. There are also parking areas in the immediate vicinity.

Yacht Charter

Yacht charter in Istanbul to go to the Vaniköy Mosque is a luxurious and private transportation option, especially for those who want to have a pleasant journey on the Bosphorus. Many yacht charter companies in Istanbul provide such services, but Bogaz Cocugu yacht charter and organization company is a few steps ahead of others due to its service approach and transparent price policy that prioritizes customer satisfaction. For 12 months, you can go to Vaniköy Mosque by getting yacht charter service in hourly and daily concepts from the yatkiralama.net/en page whenever you want, or you can take souvenir photos while passing by.

Address: Kandilli Dist. Vaniköy St. No:54, 34684 Üsküdar, İstanbul, Türkiye