Nuruosmaniye Mosque

The Nuruosmaniye mosque, in Istanbul

The Nuruosmaniye mosque, near the Grand Bazaar, is the first mosque of Ottoman baroque style built in Istanbul. The Istanbul audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this building begun in 1748 under Mahmud I and completed under his brother Osman III, whose name means "the sacred light of Osman", at the heart of a complex comprising garden, mausoleums, school and kitchen for the poorest.

History

Near the Grand Bazaar stands the Nuruosmaniye mosque, whose style differs completely from the other mosques seen so far: it is Ottoman baroque, and it is the first mosque built in this style in Istanbul. Its construction began in 1748, under the reign of sultan Mahmud I, and was completed under that of his brother Osman III, hence the name of Nuru-osman-iye. The suffix "iye" marks belonging, and "nuru" means sacred light: it is thus the mosque of the light of Osman. In connection with this divine light, the inscription under the dome proclaims "God is the light of the heavens and the earth". The mosque is part of a complex comprising a garden, mausoleums, a school and a kitchen destined to feed the poorest, testifying to the at once religious, educational and charitable dimension of the great imperial mosques. You will visit it with respect, outside the hours of prayer, in the calm conducive to contemplation.

What to see

Here you admire, with respect, the first mosque of Ottoman baroque style of Istanbul, raised from 1748 under Mahmud I to its completion under Osman III, whose name means "light of Osman"; the inscription of the dome proclaims "God is the light of the heavens and the earth", at the heart of a complex with garden, mausoleums, school and kitchen for the poor. The Nuruosmaniye mosque is a place of prayer, to be visited with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Nuruosmaniye mosque stands near the Grand Bazaar, in Istanbul, reachable on foot. It is a place of worship in activity, open every day outside the hours of prayer, whose access is made in respect and contemplation. It is best to enquire before coming, to adopt correct attire and to remove your shoes at the entrance.

What does the name of the Nuruosmaniye mosque mean in Istanbul?

It means "the sacred light of Osman": "nuru" means sacred light and the suffix "iye" marks belonging to Osman III, under whose reign was completed its construction begun in 1748 under Mahmud I; first mosque of Ottoman baroque style of Istanbul, it bears under its dome the inscription "God is the light of the heavens and the earth".

Where is the Nuruosmaniye mosque in Istanbul?

Near the Grand Bazaar, in Istanbul, in Turkey.