Haseki Sultan Mosque, Ottoman mosque complex in Fatih, Turkey
The Haseki Sultan Mosque is an Ottoman religious complex in Istanbul featuring a main prayer hall covered by two domes and fronted by a portico with five marble-supported arches. The broader complex incorporated educational facilities, a kitchen for food distribution, and medical treatment areas.
Architect Mimar Sinan designed this complex in 1538 for Hürrem Sultan, the wife of Sultan Süleyman I. It underwent major renovation and expansion during the reign of Ahmed I.
The complex functioned as a center for learning and community support, with attached spaces for education and care that served local residents. You can see how this arrangement made the mosque more than a place of prayer, but a hub for different community needs.
The complex follows Islamic customs with separate spaces for men and women, and welcomes visitors during non-prayer hours. Plan your visit around prayer times and dress respectfully to move comfortably through the site.
The hospital section of the complex features a distinctive octagonal courtyard built from dressed stone, contrasting with brick construction seen elsewhere in the site. These material differences remain visible today and reveal how the complex grew over time.
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