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Ortakoy Mosque: Ortaköy Has The Most Iconic Waterside Mosque You’ll Ever Appreciate
Ortaköy Has The Most Iconic Waterside Mosque You’ll Ever Appreciate
Istanbul is insanely beautiful, because of Ortakoy and its iconic Ortakoy Mosque. Though it looks like an exact image of the Dolmabahçe Mosque, the Ortaköy Mosque is different and is in fact the Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdülmecid. Situated in the prime location on the Bosphorus Strait, the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, the mosque looks like a dreamy painting, I could not get my eyes to stop staring at it! It’s so beautiful at any time of the day, but I believe the late afternoon time is the best one because it gives it that sunset glow that is not only illuminating but also satisfying. Yes, no other place to be, but in Ortakoy, Istanbul.
I could not agree more, but this is one of the most picturesque Islamic mosques you’ll ever find in Istanbul. The Ortakoy mosque history dates back in the 18th-century architectural wonder was built by Mahmut Ağa, the son-in law of Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha. Designed by Armenian architect, Garabet Balyan, and his son Nigoğayos Balyanl, the exteriors, even from afar, is absolutely breathtaking. Its history speaks for itself, but I am left speechless when I saw it as soon as I arrived the area. We took a cab to actually reach this place either, which could either be from Sultanahmet or anywhere from Istanbul. Here’s a quick hack for you: to get to Ortakoy by public transport, you can take a 40, 40T or 42T bus from Taksim, or from Kabatas, you can take the 22, 22RE or 25E bus. Just take note though, if you can find a spot around the Ortakoy area where it gives you a view of the mosque and Bosphorus bridge, be sure to take photos - postcard worthy shot, indeed!
Neo-Baroque in style, the Ortakoy Mosque is actually a two-story “sultan apartment”. You’ll notice enriched carvings, ornate calligraphy by Abdülmecid, and gorgeous looking window panes that give that dynamic appearance to the mosque. The Ortakoy mosque architecture won’t be complete without its ceiling that looks like a dome shape and cloaked in pink mosaics. Interesting enough, the high bay windows of this mosque refracts its reflection in the Bosphorus’ water. It is open from around 9 in the morning till 6 in the evening but closed to visitors during prayer times.
I did decide to spend my time exploring the surrounding sleepy fishing village neighborhood. Seeing that there are lots of alleys and small streets to labyrinth around in and that the mosque itself is set at the very end of the open air square, I went ahead and roamed around to look for the best local coffee place here. Lots of nightlife and dining options in the area too, not to mention craft markets, churches, and synagogues nearby. I must admit, together with the New Mosque, Blue Mosque, and the Suleymaniye Mosque to name a few, the Ortakoy Mosque is definitely one of those mosques in Istanbul you should not miss, especially if it is your first time visiting Istanbul, Turkey. Now the question is, how come there is not any movie shot in this beautiful area yet?
Address: Mecidiye Mahallesi, Mecidiye Köprüsü Sk. 1/1, 34347 Beşiktaş/Istanbul, Turkey
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 A.M – 6:00 P.M.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ortakoy/
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Great article and lovely pics! I actually missed this the last time i was there. Now itching to go back!
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