Ten Facts About the Beyazid Mosque in Istanbul
Richard Carriero
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1. In the heart of the ancient city - Beyazid Mosque is located in the eponymous Beyazid Square, a ten minute walk from Aya Sofya and Sultanahmet Camii down the Mese (Divan Yolu Caddesi), the main drag of ancient Constantinople. Beyazid Square was, during the Byzantine era, the forum built by the Em 
peror Theodosius, the last man to rule both the Eastern and Western Empires.
2. In the heart of the modern city - The Beyazid Mosque overlooks Divan Yolu Caddesi, a historic street lined with nargiles, shops and restaurants. The mosque is situated next to the prominent entrance of Istanbul University. Adjacent to the mosque on its eastern side is the sahaflar çarºisi (book bazaar), a tent city in which sellers hawk Turkish university texts alongside Islamic books and translations of popular novels. The high volume of pedestrian traffic means that Beyazid Mosque is a well-used religious building like Yeni Camii in Eminonu.
3. Sole Survivor - Beyazid Camii was built between 1501 and 1506 by the architect Yaqub shah ibn Sultan shah on the orders of Beyazid II, son of Mehmet the Conqueror. Although Sultan Mehmet built Fatih Camii (Mosque of the Conqueror) during the 15th century, a major earthquake leveled this historic building in 1766, leaving Beyazid Camii as the oldest surviving major mosque in Istanbul.
4. An Ottoman Classic - Beyazid Mosque is an exceedingly important work of Ottoman architecture. It contains many of the elements of the grand Istanbul mosques such as a prominent dome flanked by half domes, a design that allows the floral pattern and kufic script painted ceiling to be seen from any vantage point-a conscious imitation of Aya Sofya. The Beyazid also has a courtyard surrounded by an arcade of Moorish arches formed by alternating white lime and red sandstone. The courtyard is a relaxing place where the swaying of trees and cool Marmara breezes evoke the feeling a sanctuary. The courtyard also contains a working sadirvan.
Ten Facts About the Beyazid Mosque in Istanbul
2. In the heart of the modern city - The Beyazid Mosque overlooks Divan Yolu Caddesi, a historic street lined with nargiles, shops and restaurants. The mosque is situated next to the prominent entrance of Istanbul University. Adjacent to the mosque on its eastern side is the sahaflar çarºisi (book bazaar), a tent city in which sellers hawk Turkish university texts alongside Islamic books and translations of popular novels. The high volume of pedestrian traffic means that Beyazid Mosque is a well-used religious building like Yeni Camii in Eminonu.
3. Sole Survivor - Beyazid Camii was built between 1501 and 1506 by the architect Yaqub shah ibn Sultan shah on the orders of Beyazid II, son of Mehmet the Conqueror. Although Sultan Mehmet built Fatih Camii (Mosque of the Conqueror) during the 15th century, a major earthquake leveled this historic building in 1766, leaving Beyazid Camii as the oldest surviving major mosque in Istanbul.
4. An Ottoman Classic - Beyazid Mosque is an exceedingly important work of Ottoman architecture. It contains many of the elements of the grand Istanbul mosques such as a prominent dome flanked by half domes, a design that allows the floral pattern and kufic script painted ceiling to be seen from any vantage point-a conscious imitation of Aya Sofya. The Beyazid also has a courtyard surrounded by an arcade of Moorish arches formed by alternating white lime and red sandstone. The courtyard is a relaxing place where the swaying of trees and cool Marmara breezes evoke the feeling a sanctuary. The courtyard also contains a working sadirvan.
- Beyazit Mosque is the second oldest mosque in Istanbul but the oldest original structure.
- Beyazit Mosque presides over Beyazit square, a transportation hub of the city.
- The mosque was the center of a vast community center in Istanbul.
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