Bayezid II Mosque

Bayezid II Mosque

The Bayezid II Mosque is an Ottoman-era mosque located in Istanbul’s Bayezid Square in Turkey, near the ruins of the ancient Theodosian Forum of Constantinople.

The Bayezid II Mosque was commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II and is the second large imperial mosque complex built in Istanbul after the conquest. Since the earlier Fatih Mosque was later destroyed in an earthquake and rebuilt in a completely different style, this mosque by Bayezid holds significant historical and architectural importance. Little is known about the architect except that he also built a caravanserai in Bursa; however, the polished style of the mosque itself reflects early Ottoman and Western architectural techniques. The surrounding külliye (a complex including a madrasa, primary school, public kitchen, and Turkish bath) was constructed between 1501 and 1506.

After the earthquake of 1509, the dome was partially rebuilt, and further repairs were carried out by Koca Mimar Sinan in 1573–74. The mosque is set along a northwest-southeast axis and faces northwest. In addition to the main mosque structure, it includes a courtyard with a central dome 17 meters in diameter, supported by four semi-domes on its sides.

Bayezid II Mosque

Reason to visit: One of the oldest mosques in Istanbul

Continent: Asia

Country/Region: Turkey

Province/State: Istanbul Province

City: Istanbul