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Discover the magnificent Dolmabahce Mosque where Ottoman Sultans worshipped

What is the Dolmabahce Mosque?** 

Dolmabahce Mosque was originally known as Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque. It was commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecid’s mother in 1852 and completed in 1855. The sacred nature of the building and its unique design decreed that it should be constructed near the palace but not within the palace premises. With its intricate details and soaring minarets, the mosque seamlessly blends Baroque and Ottoman architectural styles, reflecting the grandeur of the 19th century.

Quick facts about Dolmabahce Mosque

Dolmabahce Mosque
  • Address: Ömer Avni, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:34, 34427 Beyoğlu, İstanbul, Turkey
  • Year of opening: 1855 
  • Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM, but closed during prayer time
  • Architects: Garabet Balyan and Nigogayos Balyan
  • Architectural styles: Ottoman with Neo-Baroque & Rococo style decorations
  • Function: Place of worship

Why visit Dolmabahce Mosque?

Dolmabahce Mosque
  • Historical significance: Dolmabahce Mosque was the Royal Mosque of the Ottoman Empire since 1855. Sultan Abdulmecid and others after him offered their prayers here. Dignitaries who visited the Sultan were invited to worship in this mosque with him.
  • Unique architecture: The Dolmabahce Mosque has an eclectic mix of Ottoman and Baroque architectural styles. Unique huge circular glass windows illuminate this mosque, which is flanked by symmetrical twin minarets.
  • Beautiful interiors: Intricate designs cover the Dolmabahce Mosque’s domed ceiling over the main prayer hall. Its walls glow with gold calligraphy on a green background, giving it a regal and tranquil atmosphere. 
  • Excellent views: Dolmabahce Mosque faces the Bosphorus Strait, providing visitors with panoramic views of the Golden Horn and the Marmara Sea. Its waters provide soothing background music to all those who visit the mosque.

Highlights of Dolmabahce Mosque

Architecture

Dolmabahce Mosque is an aesthetically designed mosque on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, constructed in an eclectic mix of Baroque and Ottoman styles of architecture. Its unique huge circular glass windows make it airy and well-lit. It has also been constructed to withstand seismic activity and stood intact for more than a century before minor repairs and renovations were made.

Minarets

The twin stone minarets towering over the Dolmabahce mosque are symmetrically constructed and located right behind the dome over the main prayer hall. Though they look like smooth marble columns, each minaret is made of fluted columns and has a serefe (minaret balcony) each. These minarets too have withstood many earthquakes but the west side minaret was damaged a few years ago and was repaired recently.

Interiors

Illuminated by huge circular windows, the inside of Dolmabahce mosque is well-lit and airy. It has ornate decorations on the walls and ceilings. The walls are decorated with beautiful Arabic calligraphy. The decorations on the walls and ceiling are intricate and some are made of gold. An ornate and elegant sparkling crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling reflecting various colours during the day.

History of Dolmabahce Mosque**

Sultan Abdulmecid’s mother, Valide Sultan Bezmi Alam commissioned the construction of the Dolmabahce mosque. This was to be a royal mosque that would showcase the richness and piety of the Ottoman Empire to visiting dignitaries from the Islamic world. The mosque was financed by the Sultan and completed in 1855. Originally, it was supposed to be part of the Dolmabahce Palace. But its design was so monumental and unique that it was constructed separately, a few metres to the south of the palace. The mosque initially had a fountain and timekeeping house decorating its courtyard. In the 1950s, the fountain was removed and the timekeeping house was shifted to the shore for road widening purposes.

For a short period between 1948 and 1962, it also served as a Naval Museum. Then it was closed for renovations and reopened in 1967 as a place of worship for the faithful.

Architecture & design of Dolmabahce Mosque

Dolmabahce Mosque

Dolmabahce Mosque was designed by Nigogayos Balyan and constructed by Garabet Balyan between 1853 and 1855. It is a fusion of Ottoman and Baroque architectural styles. The dome over the main prayer hall and the symmetrically constructed twin stone minarets, with a balcony each, are distinctly Ottoman. The mosque itself is constructed in an intricate and ornate style reminiscent of Baroque architecture.

The most unique feature of this mosque are the huge circular glass windows that illuminate it with natural daylight. An interesting fact about its design is that it was constructed to withstand earthquakes.

Dolmabahce Mosque today

The Dolmabahce Mosque was where the Ottoman Sultans and their visiting dignitaries from the Islamic world offered their prayers. It underwent restoration after 1962 and reopened for worshippers. This historic mosque is now an iconic landmark and a place of worship.

Plan your visit to Dolmabahce Mosque

Dolmabahce Mosque

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM.

Note: The mosque is closed during prayer time

Best time to visit: Dolmabahce mosque is open all year round. But avoid visiting during the First day of the Feast of Sacrifice, the First day of the Ramadan Bairam since it will be very crowded with worshippers.

Address: Ömer Avni, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:34, 34427 Beyoğlu, İstanbul, Türkiye

​Find on Map

Dolmabahce Mosque is located a few metres south of the Dolmabahce Palace. This aesthetic neo-baroque styled mosque is a beautiful landmark along the shores of the Bosphorus Strait. It served as a naval museum for a short while, from 1948 to 1962. After its restoration, it was re-opened for prayers.

Frequently asked questions about Dolmabahce Mosque

Dolmabahce Mosque is located in Istanbul, Turkey, at the southern end of the Dolmabahce Palace compound along the Bosphorus Strait.

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