Among the many Ottoman landmarks in Istanbul, the most renowned are the monumental imperial mosques, such as the Blue Mosque, Şehzade Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosque. However, Ottoman imperial mosques are scattered throughout the city and, in my view, the Fatih Mosque stands as a true symbol of the conquest of Constantinople.
The Ottomans captured Constantinople in 1453 and the Ottoman sultanate ceased to exist in 1922. As a result, Constantinople – now Istanbul – remained under Ottoman rule for 469 years. This long period of Ottoman influence has left a permanent mark on the city’s heritage, which spans centuries, from the dawn of Ottoman rule to the foundation of the modern Turkish Republic.
OTTOMAN IMPERIAL MOSQUES
Ottoman sultans and members of the dynasty commissioned numerous historic monuments, often in the form of külliye, vast complexes centered around a mosque and surrounded by various structures serving charitable and social purposes. These included madrasas (religious schools), kitchens and other buildings designed to provide services to the poor.
The largest külliyes date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, although mosques constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries are also of great historical importance. In the 15th century, following his conquest of Constantinople, Fatih Sultan Mehmed commissioned the construction of two grand mosques. Unfortunately, both of these original structures were later destroyed by earthquakes or fires and had to be rebuilt.
Mimar Sinan, the chief imperial architect for the Ottoman Empire for over 50 years, designed and oversaw the construction of many of Istanbul’s most iconic complexes. His architectural vision set the standard for subsequent architects of külliyes throughout the empire.
While Istanbul is home to some of the most famous Ottoman imperial mosques, many others can be found in cities across Turkey. Bursa, the first proper capital of the Ottoman Empire, is home to several historically significant religious structures. You will find other notable imperial mosques in Edirne, Konya, Amasya, Manisa and even in Damascus.
FATIH MOSQUE
The Fatih Mosque is perhaps one of the most significant religious structures among all the Ottoman imperial mosques in Istanbul. Its fascinating history is of particular personal interest to me, which I will mention later.
The building we see today dates back to the 18th century. “Fatih” in Turkish means “conqueror,” so the Fatih Camii translates to the “Conqueror’s Mosque.”
The mosque and its surrounding complex are among the largest in Istanbul and the entire site is truly breathtaking.
Sultan Mehmed II commissioned the original mosque in 1463, a decade after his conquest of Constantinople. They finished the construction of the initial complex in 1470.
However, the 1766 earthquake completely destroyed the original structure. In response, Sultan Mustafa III demolished it and oversaw the construction of an entirely new complex in 1771.
What makes this mosque so interesting?
First and foremost, it is dedicated to the man who conquered Constantinople in 1453. That conquest solidified the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, which became one of the most powerful empires in history, lasting over 600 years.
In addition, Fatih Sultan Mehmed II conquered Serbia, which had been an Ottoman vassal state since the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. However, in 1459, Mehmed II brought an end to the Serbian Despotate and fully incorporated Serbia into the Ottoman Empire.
In other words, from that point until its independence in 1867, Serbia had little historical autonomy. For nearly 400 years, Serbian history was largely intertwined with that of the Ottoman Empire.
The original complex was the second oldest in the city, following the Eyüp Sultan Mosque. The current 18th-century complex is truly monumental.
The Fatih Mosque is definitely a must-see. The equally captivating surrounding area contains coffee shops and a variety of other shops to explore.
The nearby traditional district of Istanbul is just as fascinating. It offers a unique glimpse into the city’s character, distinct from the atmosphere found in other areas.
FATIH SULTAN MEHMED
Thanks to the portrait by Gentile Bellini, which is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, we have an accurate representation of what Fatih Sultan Mehmed looked like.
Bellini painted this portrait in 1480. The Venetian Republic sent him to Constantinople following the 1479 peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire. His time at the Topkapi Palace aimed to strengthen the peace and promote trade between the two nations.
Sultan Mehmed II, the most renowned of all Ottoman sultans, will forever be remembered as the conqueror of Constantinople in 1453. With his victory, the once-mighty Byzantine Empire came to an end after more than 1100 years.
He is regarded as a hero in modern-day Turkey and also in many parts of the broader Islamic world.
He died in 1481, at the age of 49. Behind the mosque, there is a tomb (türbe) of the Conqueror. I visited it, to pay my respects at the final resting place of the man who profoundly altered the history of the Serbs and many other nations.
GÜLBAHAR HATUN
Emine Gülbahar Hatun was the first wife of Sultan Mehmed II and the mother of Gevherhan Hatun. After the death of Şehzade Bayezid’s biological mother, she assumed the role of his mother.
When Bayezid ascended the throne as Sultan Bayezid II, Gülbahar Hatun took on a position equivalent to that of a Valide Sultan, although the title and its formal responsibilities had not yet been officially established.
The first officially recognized Valide Sultan was Hafsa Sultan, the mother of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Gülbahar Hatun passed away around 1492 and was laid to rest in her own mausoleum beside Fatih Sultan Mehmed, also behind the Fatih Mosque.
SHOULD YOU GO TO SEE FATIH MOSQUE?
Despite its impressive size and historical significance as the symbol of the conquest of Constantinople, surprisingly the Fatih Mosque isn’t a major tourist attraction. On multiple visits, I’ve never seen long lines of foreign tourists waiting to enter, only local worshippers.
Visiting the mosque requires a bit of time and effort, as it’s located away from Istanbul’s main tourist areas. However, I believe it’s a must-see for anyone interested in history. A stunning example of neo-classical Ottoman architecture, the mosque symbolically represents the end of the Byzantine Empire and the rapid ascent of the Ottoman Empire.
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