Don't Miss the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent

[GradUT]

This was the first stop we made on our recent self-guided tour of Istanbul during our Black Sea cruise on the Pacific Princess. I would highly recommend a visit here, preferably before going to the Blue Mosque, because it allows you to experience a mosque WITHOUT hordes of tourists.

 

It's easy to reach the mosque--get off the tram at the Beyazit stop and follow the signs up the main road past the Istanbul University. It's about a 10 minute walk at the most.

 

The courtyards around the mosque are quiet and inviting. Unfortunately, the buildings housing the tombs of Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife, Roxalena, were closed for renovation, but you can look inside through the windows.

 

The mosque itself is large and decorated in sedate pastel shades--not the riot of color in the Blue Mosque. Because there are so few visitors, you'll actually be able to sit on the carpet and take it all in--don't rush. We found that the lengthy description/explanation in the Rick Steves "Istanbul" guide was excellent and we read it as we walked around the exterior and while we sat inside.

 

After your visit here (which should take 30 - 45 minutes), you can return to the Beyazit tram stop to go to the Sultanamet stop for the "big" sites or walk over to the Grand Bazaar which is nearby.

[porsena]

Another mosque off the beaten trail is the Fatih Cami, about a ten-minute walk to the northwest off Ataturk Blvd. Located in a conservative neighbourhood, it has the mausoleums of Mehmet the Conqueror and his wife in the courtyard.

 

Obviously standing out from the other people inside, we were welcomed in English by a member of the congregation, who took the trouble to point out the mosque's features. It's an 18th century structure built to a different design after the original was destroyed in an earthquake, but the mausoleums are reconstructions of the originals. The mosque has a conservative congregation and you should be appropriately dressed, with a head scarf for women.