Yeraltı Camii, Underground mosque in Karaköy, Turkey
Yeraltı Camii is an underground mosque in Karaköy accessible through two separate entrances that descend into a basement prayer hall. The interior space is lit by green fluorescent lighting and contains multiple chambers with tombs and cenotaphs.
The structure originated as a Byzantine fortress basement and was converted to an ammunition storage facility after the Ottoman conquest in 1453. In 1753, Ottoman vizier Köse Bahir Mustafa Pasha transformed the former cellar into a dedicated prayer space.
Two underground chambers hold wooden cenotaphs honoring Islamic scholars, separated by iron grilles that visitors can see while walking through. The space remains a working prayer area today, reflecting its role in the local Muslim community.
The entrances are located at street level with stairs descending into the underground chambers, making both access points easy to find. The low ceiling height is characteristic of the space, so take care when walking through the tunnel passages.
The name Yeraltı translates literally to underground in Turkish and directly describes the location beneath street level. This unusual feature makes it a rare example of repurposing hidden urban space for religious purposes.
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