Hacı Hesna Hatun Camii, Ottoman mosque in Sultantepe, Üsküdar district of Istanbul, Turkey
Hacı Hesna Hatun Camii is a mosque with a single minaret featuring one balcony, located among residential buildings in the Sultantepe neighborhood. Inside, the tomb of its namesake sits near the mihrab, creating a unified sacred space.
Arslan Ağa commissioned this building between 1584 and 1585 to honor his wife Hacı Hesna Hatun, who had served as the wet nurse of Princess Mihrimah Sultan. Following a destructive fire in 1890, Sultan Abdülhamid II ordered its reconstruction, which was completed in 1900.
The mosque reflects a local practice where wealthy families built religious structures as expressions of devotion to deceased loved ones. This custom was a significant part of Istanbul's daily social fabric during Ottoman times.
The building is easily accessible and functions as an active prayer space with regular services throughout the day. Visitors should be prepared for narrow streets in a residential area and should be mindful of prayer times when planning a visit.
This was among the first buildings in Istanbul to be completely rebuilt after fire destruction using modern materials and techniques of the era. The reconstruction made it a symbol of the city's technical renewal during the early 20th century.
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