New Mosque, Ottoman imperial mosque in Eminönü, Turkey.
The New Mosque is an Ottoman building with a central dome supported by four columns rising approximately 36 meters high. Light enters through roughly 24 windows that brighten the marble surfaces and interior spaces.
Construction started in 1597 under Safiye Sultan's patronage, but political shifts and lack of funding caused work to stop. After a break of roughly 57 years, the building was completed in 1663.
The mosque displays traditional Ottoman design with marble columns and hand-painted Iznik tiles covering the walls throughout. These decorative elements reflect the craftsmanship valued in religious buildings of that era and define the interior's character.
The building sits in Eminönü near the Galata Bridge and Spice Bazaar in the heart of the neighborhood. Visitors should know that it closes temporarily during prayer times and respectful clothing is expected.
The building holds the tombs of roughly 17 members of the Ottoman imperial family within its complex. It connects directly to the adjacent Spice Bazaar, blending the sacred space with the bustling commercial life that surrounds it.
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