When we think of Istanbul, we are reminded of a city full of opportunities and wonders. If you wish to visit museums or explore historical sites, you’re in the right place. Every step you take in Istanbul reveals a city rich in history and grandeur. Especially when you wander through the area known as the Historical Peninsula, you may feel as though you’re traveling through time. With its walls, palaces, churches, historical buildings, museums, mosques, and many other significant sites, Istanbul is a city that will inspire you to keep exploring. Among these marvels is the Nuruosmaniye Mosque.
Located in Istanbul, this mosque is situated between Çemberlitaş, the Grand Bazaar, and Cağaloğlu, in the district named after it. So, what are the characteristics of the Nuruosmaniye Mosque? Let’s explore this question together.
The History of Nuruosmaniye Mosque
The Nuruosmaniye Mosque is the first mosque in Istanbul to feature Baroque architectural elements. It was built between 1748 and 1755 and is considered a turning point in Ottoman architecture. Its construction coincided with a period when the Ottoman Empire was embracing Western influences in architecture.
Before the mosque was constructed, the site housed a prayer hall built by Fatma Hatun, the wife of Ottoman Sheikh al-Islam Hoca Sadettin Efendi. Over time, the structure deteriorated, and Sultan Mahmud I ordered its demolition to make way for the new mosque. The architects of the mosque were Simeon Kalfa (Architect Simeon) and Mustafa Ağa.
The mosque’s name, Nuruosmaniye, or “The Light of Osman,” is believed to derive from Sultan Osman III and the light-filled interior of the mosque. In addition to the mosque itself, the complex includes a madrasa, tomb, library, soup kitchen, public fountain, and shops. These structures form part of the mosque’s külliye, or complex.
The Story of Nuruosmaniye Mosque
The construction of the mosque was initiated by Sultan Mahmud I, who also commissioned a tomb for himself. Unfortunately, he passed away before its completion. Following Sultan Mahmud I’s death, Sultan Osman III ascended to the throne and completed the mosque’s construction. However, Sultan Osman III did not allow Sultan Mahmud I to be buried in the tomb he commissioned. Instead, Sultan Mahmud I was buried in the Hatice Turhan Sultan Tomb in Eminönü. Ironically, when Sultan Osman III passed away, his successor Sultan Mustafa III ordered him to be buried in the same tomb as Mahmud I, rather than the one at Nuruosmaniye Mosque.
To summarize, none of the sultans who commissioned the Nuruosmaniye Mosque were ever buried in its tomb.
Architectural Features of Nuruosmaniye Mosque
The mosque is built on a square plan and features Baroque architectural elements. The prayer area is covered by a single large dome, the largest among Ottoman mosques. The dome is supported by arches resting on the walls. Verses from the Surah Al-Fath are inscribed on the walls, while the Surah Al-Nur is written on the dome.
The mosque features 174 Baroque-style plaster windows. The calligraphy within the mosque is the work of Mehmet Refi Efendi, Hattat Rasim, Müzehhip Ali, and Abdülhalim.
The mihrab of the mosque is uniquely polygonal, unlike other Ottoman mosques. The courtyard is multi-angular and colonnaded, making it the only example of its kind in Ottoman architecture. Despite having ablution facilities at the front and back, the mosque notably lacks a fountain.
The courtyard also serves as a passage between the Cağaloğlu and Çemberlitaş districts.
Structures in the Nuruosmaniye Complex
The Tomb
The tomb was initially intended for Sultan Mahmud I, but he passed away before it could be completed. He was instead buried in the Valide Turhan Sultan Tomb at the New Mosque. Similarly, Sultan Osman III, who died three years later, was also buried in the same tomb. The tomb at Nuruosmaniye houses the grave of Şehsuvar Sultan, the mother of Osman III, along with the sarcophagi of several Ottoman princes.
Nuruosmaniye Mosque Library
The library is considered one of Turkey’s most unique examples of Baroque design. Located in the mosque’s inner courtyard, it is a two-story structure with shops on the ground floor and the library on the upper floor. It has two entrances, one for the sultan and one for readers. The library contains approximately 5,000 printed and handwritten works.
Nuruosmaniye Mosque Fountain
The fountain, made of marble, features a circular main area and an adjoining rectangular section. After a restoration in 2003, it was repurposed as a space for carpet sales.
Nuruosmaniye Mosque remains a remarkable example of Ottoman architecture, blending traditional and Western influences in an iconic structure that continues to captivate visitors with its history and beauty.
