Arab Istanbul Mosque, Medieval mosque in Karaköy, Turkey
The Arab Istanbul Mosque features a rectangular structure with three naves, Gothic arches, and a bell tower that now functions as a minaret.
Dominican friars constructed the building as the Church of San Domenico in 1325, and Sultan Mehmed II transformed it into a mosque between 1475 and 1478.
The mosque received its name when Sultan Bayezid II designated the building to Muslim refugees who fled from Spain during the Spanish Inquisition in 1492.
Located near the Golden Horn shores, the mosque opens daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with temporary closures during Islamic prayer times.
The structure remains the sole example of medieval Gothic religious architecture in Istanbul, combining Italian church design with Ottoman mosque elements.
Location: Istanbul
Inception: 1325
Architectural style: Byzantine architecture
Address: Galata Mahkemesi Sokağı 34421 İstanbul 34421 İstanbul
GPS coordinates: 41.02444,28.97083
Latest update: May 11, 2025 06:18
Istanbul offers photographers an uncommon range of subjects, combining architecture from multiple centuries with urban landscapes and waterways. This route includes Byzantine and Ottoman monuments such as Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, along with the Galata Tower that has stood over the old city since the 14th century. The Bosphorus separates Europe and Asia and provides the setting for historic sites including Rumeli Fortress, Maiden's Tower, and waterfront palaces like Dolmabahce Palace and Kucuksu Palace. The route passes through districts with different character. Balat displays Ottoman wooden houses and narrow lanes, while Karakoy is known for its renovated industrial buildings. The Princes' Islands off the coast offer car-free streets and neoclassical mansions. Viewpoints like Camlica Hill and Pierre Loti Hill provide panoramic views of the city and the Sea of Marmara. Additional destinations include Suleymaniye Mosque, Emirgan Park with its tulip beds, and modern structures like Zorlu Center.
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