Eminönü - Sirkeci

Eminönü - Sirkeci

 The New Mosque in Eminönü bears the characteristics of 17th century Ottoman architecture. It consists of a külliye, a mosque, a school, apublic fountain, hünkar karsı (the place sultans rest between religious services), a bazaar, and a tomb.

Eminönü

Eminönü is a district behind the city walls of Istanbul that is called the Historical Peninsula.

There was a building in this district called Gümrük Eminliği (a customs office) in the Ottoman Era and the district named from this office. Istanbul was first established in this district. The district is the most crowded area for business life in the afternoon.

Yenicamii Külliyesi ( New Mosque )

The mosque located in the center of the külliye is the most magnificent sultan mosque near to the shore. The construction of the mosque was started by Mimar Davud Ağa in 1597 in the name of Safiye sultan, the mother of Sultan Mehmed III and the wife of Sultan Murad III. Dalgıc Ahmet Ağa took over as the arhitect after 1599. After 1603 the construction was interrupted when Sultan Ahmed I ascended to the throne. As it was left incomplete and stood useless between Jewish houses for more then half a century, it was publicly called Zulmiyye (Tortured ). The constuction was restarted upon the order of the mother of Sultan Mehmed IV, Hatice Turhan Sultan, in 1661 and was compaleted in 1663 by Mustafa Ağa as the achitect. The külliye consists of a mosque, a school, a public fountain,hünkar kasrı, and a tomb. The school has not survived up to now. As the roads around the mosque were widened later on the outer courtyard disappeared.

There was a beautiful fountain in the direction of the Spice Bazaar in the middle of the interior courtyard which had 18 pillars 21 domes and three gates. There are two minarets to the right and to the left with three minaret symbols. The mosque is planned as a square structure and it can be entered throguh three gates. The central dome which is tiled and situated on four elephant feet and four aches, is supported with four semi domes. There are sexty-six domes with four domes in the corners and the domes surrounded with pillars in front of the arches and tombs. The altar and pulpit are made of white marble and there is a mosaic panel decorated with precious stones on the lfit of the altar. The hünkar kasrı which is said to have been built for Turhan Sultan is a magnificent structure that bears all the characteristics of the classical Turkish house. Its position allows the viewer to see one of the most beautiful panoramas of Istanbul. It has theer rooms and one sitting room. 

The walls are covered with embroideries and precious glazed Iznik tiles. Its wooden pieces are embossed with mother of pearl and ivory. The tomb of Hatice turhan Sultan which is included in the külliye, is the biggest burial palace of the Ottoman family with the graves of five sultans and many other members of the family.