10 Mosques in Turkey that are Architectural Wonders

Turkey is a spectacular destination that spans Asia and Europe, brimming with ancient structures left behind from a procession of conquerors and blessed with a show-stopping landscape that never fails to astound the travellers.  Its colourful culture, excellent cuisine, and rich history captivate everyone who visits, while its beautiful landscapes—from the sun-soaked Mediterranean to the towering mountains and dry steppe to the beautiful Mosques are the top places to visit in Turkey.

Following are the top Mosques that you must have in your itinerary: -

1. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) 

This UNESCO-protected cultural site is regarded as a storehouse of ancient wisdom. The majority of Istanbul's neighbourhoods have seen a considerable religious fusion. And Hagia Sophia in Turkey is a 6th-century church that was rebuilt as a mosque by the Ottoman Turks and then secularised, is of great historical value today.

This museum, one of Turkey's most well-known tourist attractions, is an excellent intellectual choice for your vacation. An important statistic to remember while you visit the museum is that Hagia Sophia was built under 6 years.

Location - Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydan No.1, 34122 Fatih/stanbul, Turkey

Timings - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

2. The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque (also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is one of the famous mosques in Turkey. It is a historical imperial mosque from the Ottoman era. It is a fully-functioning mosque that also attracts a considerable number of tourists. It is located close to the Hagia Sophia which used to be Istanbul's main mosque until the construction of the Blue Mosque, and is a famous tourist destination in Turkey.

This beautiful mosque with domes and a blue colour scheme has a unique touch of decoration; pay special attention to the floral detailing on the mosque, numerous flowers such as tulips, roses, and more as carved on the mosque making it appear exquisite and rich.

Location - Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Timings - Anytime in the day except at the time of prayer

3. New Mosque (Yeni Cami)

The New Mosque was constructed by the Ottoman dynasty which is one of the biggest Mosques in Turkey. Originally known as the Valide Sultan Mosque, which literally translates to the Queen Mother, it was named after Suntan Mehme III's mother at her request to honour her son's ascension to the throne. Construction began in 1597 and continued until 1665.

The inside of the mosque has excellent examples of Ottoman tile work known as Iznik tiles (blue tiles with the name of the town where they are manufactured). The mosque complex's construction and architecture serve both religious and cultural purposes.

Location -  Rüstem Paşa, Yeni Cami Cd. No:3, 34116 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey

Timings - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

4. Kocatepe Mosque

A must include in your Turkey tour package, this Ottoman-style mosque is the largest mosque in Turkey that took over 20 years to build. The mosque towers above all other structures, and one can see Kocatepe from everywhere in the city. The opulent edifice exudes optimism, and you may visit the mosque for quiet prayer. The mosque's massive size and majestic structure make it visible from nearly every section of the city.

Location - Kültür, Dr. Mediha Eldem Sk. No:67, 06420 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey

Timings - Anytime in the day except at the time of prayer

5. Bursa Grand Mosque 

The Grand Mosque of Bursa, built between 1396 and 1399 under the Ottoman Empire, is a genuine masterpiece of Ottoman architecture that was significantly inspired by the Seljuk architectural style. The metal roof is made up of twenty domes. The display of Islamic calligraphy on the mosque's walls and columns is the best spot to see it.

Location - Located in the Northern Anatolia, within the Marmara Region

Timings - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

6. Sehzade Mosque

The Sehzade Mosque or Prince's Mosque was Imperial Architect Mimar Sinan's first significant project, finished in 1548.

Architectural historians see it as Sinan's first masterpiece of classical Ottoman architecture. As Sinan's first big structure, you can still see him refining his design approaches, such as the hefty columns for concern of structural stability. In contrast to the normal austere ornamentation of most mosques, this one is lavishly adorned with intricate patterns.

Location - Kalenderhane, Sehzadebası Cd. No:44, 34134 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Timings -   Anytime in the day except at the time of prayer

7. Divrigi Grand Mosque

For its magnificent workmanship, one of Turkey's most famous mosques, located on a hill overlooking the little town of Divrii (166 kilometres southeast of Sivas), has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The mosque's stone entrances are its most famous feature. The four doors (one of which is 14 metres tall) are beautifully decorated and intricately carved reliefs of floral themes, animal designs, and geometric patterns. They are, without a doubt, masterpieces of Islamic architecture.

Location - Ulu Cami Caddesi, Divrigi village, Turkey

Timings - Open 24 hours

8. Suleymaniye Mosque

The Suleymaniye Mosque is the second biggest mosque in Istanbul and one of the most well-known landmarks in Turkey. Within its grounds are the tombs of the Sultan, his wife Hurrem, and Mimar Sinan, built between 1550 and 1558 on Suleyman's command.

Suleyman, claiming to be the "second Solomon," ordered the construction of this mosque, which stands tall as a symbol of the Ottoman golden era during the reign of the great Sultan Suleyman.

Location - Suleymaniye Mah, Prof. Sıddık Sami Onar Cd. No:1, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Timings - Open 24 hours

9. Rustem Pasha 

The Rustem Pasha Mosque is a hidden treasure of a mosque.  It's a little difficult to locate, but it's definitely worth the effort - the magnificent beauty of the inside is matched by the sensation of discovering a tiny sanctuary in the midst of a bustling area.

It was constructed between 1561 and 1563 and houses the greatest examples of Iznik tiles in Istanbul. Iznik Tiles are a distinguishing trademark of Ottoman décor, having a significant link to the period's politics, propaganda, and empire development.

Location- Strawmat Weavers Market Faith/Istanbul, Turkey

Timings- 10 am - 6:00 pm

10. Mimar Sinan Mosque

The beautiful construction of the Mimar Sinan Mosque exemplifies the ideal fusion of Ottoman mosque design which is distinguished by elegant piled domes soaring to the skies and high, thin pencil minarets.  The mosque, which is 36,758 square metres in size with a closed space of 2,808 square metres, can hold a congregation of 10,000 people.

Location - Third Hill of Istanbul, Turkey

Timings - Open 24 hour

Turkey, a vibrant and colourful country in the Middle East, is an intriguing holiday option. With so many places to shop in Turkey, visitors may experience the historical impact of the Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Persian, and Byzantine eras in cities such as Ankara, Istanbul, and Cappadocia. Along with history, there is the culture in this region, which can be seen in the Mosques and other structures that have withstood the test of time.