The first mosque built in Istanbul was across the Bosphorus Straight in Kadikoy. Before the Turks conquered the city within the walls it held all the land surrounding Constantinople a full 100 years earlier.

In year 2000, it was reported that Istanbul had around 2,700 active mosques.

Grand architect of many of these is Mimar Sinan. He lived from 1489 - 1588, some 100 years, He is responsible for every major Ottoman structure. He served under Sultans Selim I, Suleyman I, Selim II, and. Murat III.

VISITING MOSQUES

Visiting a mosque has certain etiquitte: Females must cover their head with a scarf. As you approach the main door women will be handed a scarf for the visit.

Men will sometimes be prompted to wrap a scarf around their legs if they are wearing shorts.

Everyone will be required to remove their shoes and leave them at the shoe rack at the main door. Usually, you will be provided with plastic foot-wraps with elastic bands to preserve the high quality carpeting.

Be respectful of worshippers in the mosque by not speaking loudly or snapping a flash photo in/near their face.

Some of these worshippers come from 100’s of miles away & from other countries to worship in Istanbul. Be sensitive & sensible.

Since mosques operate as a place of prayer and reading, be sure not to visit during the call to prayer. When you do visit you may be prompted for a donation on your way out.