Dolmabahçe Mosque — Attraction in Beyoğlu

Its construction was started by the order of Bezmiâlem Valide Sultan, who played a role in Ottoman social life as a benevolent personality with her numerous foundations, and was completed by her son, Sultan Abdülmecid, upon her death in 1853. Bezmiâlem Valide Sultan Mosque has been called the Dolmabahçe Mosque since the day it was built, because it fell directly across the courtyard gate of the Dolmabahçe Palace in the direction of the Clock Tower, and this is how it entered the literature.

The construction inscription of the building, dated 1270 (1853-54), which was formerly located on the door of the courtyard facing the Clock Tower, was put in its present location at the foot of the outer wall of the qibla, due to the collapse of the courtyard walls during the opening of Dolmabahçe Square in 1948. The inscription, consisting of four couplets written in celi thuluth calligraphy, is completely decorated with acanthus leaves in Western style, and a large wreath containing Abdülmecid's tughra crowns the middle of its hilly part.

Dolmabahce Mosque, XIX. It was built by Nikogos Balyan, who signed many important works in the 19th century Ottoman architecture, at a time when Western trends were most heavily influenced. In this period, an interesting understanding of interpretation was achieved as a result of fusing styles such as baroque, rococo, empire (empire) with established art accumulation and taste. While there is no significant innovation in this type of mosques in terms of architecture, it is seen that the main change is realized in the exterior and decorations by abandoning the traditional line, classical proportions and motif repertoire to a large extent. Baroque, rococo, and empire-style ornaments are beginning to take the place of traditional Ottoman motifs and decoration. The most important character of the period is the dominance of the "eclectic" (mixed) approach to architecture, and the use of Western elements without being bound by any rule, unlimitedly and occasionally mixing with Ottoman and Islamic elements. In this respect, Dolmabahçe Mosque is a typical example that fully reflects the general approach and artistic taste of the period...

THE DOLMABAHCE MOSQUE The construction the Dolmabahce Mosque was started with the order of the Bezmi Alem Valide Sultan and completed by his son Sultan Abdulmecid after she died in 1853, and designed by Garabet Balyan. The mosque, the real name of which Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque, was opened to worship with a Friday prayer in 1855. The mosque was constructed as a mix of baroque, rococo, and empire styles with the localized art background and taste with an interesting interpretation. The dome in the contrary of the classical architecture was placed directly over the walls and in order to prevent the walls opening to the sides due to the load they are carrying rectangular shaped heavy weight towers were placed on the corners. The front façade of the mosque which was built of stone and marble is covered with the Hunkar Summer Palace of two storeys which extends out from two sides. The summer palace consists of an "L" shaped wind which projects out on two sides and an inside center body. The minarets which were separated from the main body of the mosque are on two corners of the summer palace. The minarets are distinctive with their long thin forms and riffle bodies the bottom of the balconies was decorated with acanthus leaves. The mosque was reached through the Hunkar Summer Palace; here as in the Hunkar Sumnmer Palace through lots of windows very illuminated space was created. The ground of the sanctuary was covered of brick, its dome interiors and pendentives were ornamented in western style with gold and oil painting handcrafts. The baroque decorations were used on the mihrab and the mimbar which shows marble work. The mosque which was used as the Sea Museum between 1948 and 1961 together with the Hunkar Summer Palace was opened two sanctuaries after the museum was moved to its...

The Dolmabahçe Mosque, also known as Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque, is a stunning 19th-century Ottoman gem located along the Bosphorus in Istanbul, right next to the Dolmabahçe Palace. Recent visitor reviews highlight its unique blend of Baroque, Rococo, and Ottoman architectural styles, with its large circular windows and twin minarets standing out as distinctive features. The mosque’s waterside location offers breathtaking views, especially when lit up at night, creating a serene and majestic atmosphere. Visitors often praise the intricate gold calligraphy on a green background in the prayer hall and the bright, airy interior due to the massive windows. Many describe it as an elegant, less-crowded alternative to Istanbul’s more famous mosques, making it a peaceful stop for those exploring the Beşiktaş district. It’s free to enter (donations welcome), but you’ll need to respect mosque etiquette—shoes off, modest clothing, and women should cover their heads. The mosque is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, though it closes during prayer times. Some visitors note parking can be tricky, and the courtyard’s fountain and timekeeping house were removed for road widening, slightly altering its original charm. If you’re planning to visit Istanbul, this mosque is a must-see for its historical significance and architectural beauty, especially if you’re already touring the nearby Dolmabahçe Palace. Pair it with a Bosphorus cruise for a full experience of the area’s...