Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Edirnekapi

A Mosque By The Architect Sinan For Mihrimah Sultan, Daughter Of Suleiman The Magnificent, With A Large Bright Dome Walled With Windows And Stained Glass, High On The Western Hill Of The Old City. A Less Visited Gem Close To The Chora Church And The Land Walls · Fatih, Istanbul

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque stands on one of the highest hills of the old walled city of Istanbul, beside the Theodosian Land Walls at Edirnekapi in the Fatih district. It was designed by the architect Sinan in the 1560s for Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, and was finished around 1565 to 1570 (confirm). Its great central dome rests on four massive piers and on tall walls pierced with so many windows that the prayer hall seems to be made of light, and the glass keeps the inside bright even on a grey day. A single slim minaret and a raised courtyard complete a building that feels airy and clear after the crowded sights of Sultanahmet. The mosque is an active place of worship and a quiet neighbourhood landmark, reached on foot from the wall gate or by tram and bus. It sits a short walk from the Chora Church and the old wall towers, so it pairs well with a half-day on the western side of the old city. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times if they dress modestly.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, on a hill beside the Theodosian Land Walls at Edirnekapi, Fatih, near the Chora Church, Istanbul; coordinates approximate, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkiye

The mosque is open to visitors outside the five daily prayers, usually from about 09:00 until late afternoon (confirm), and it closes to tourists during prayer times, especially around noon on Fridays when the congregation fills the hall. Prayer times shift through the year with the sun, so check the day before you go. There is no ticket, but a donation box may stand near the door. The courtyard and the gate may be shut after sunset, and cleaning, funerals or religious holidays can limit access without notice. Ramadan evenings are busy around sunset. Confirm times on the day, and expect to wait outside if a prayer is under way.

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