Fatih Mosque

The Fatih Mosque is an Ottoman inspired mosque in Istanbul with one of the most beautiful inner courtyards in the city. Located in Fatih, on Fevzipaşa Avenue, the mosque complex houses a hospice and the tombs of Mehmet II and his wife Gulbahar. On Wednesday, the Fatih Mosque hosts the largest street market in Istanbul (Fatih Pazarı) selling food, clothing as well as household goods.

The architecture of the mosque showcases a distinctive Baroque influence and has a more subtle look as compared to other major mosques in Istanbul. The original building complex included a hamam, tombs and several other structures, but most of them were destroyed due to natural causes. The outer section of the mosque is supported by 16 exceptional columns and is enclosed by a wall and madrasa buildings. It was built on the site of the Church of the Holy Apostles, one of the most important Christian buildings in the fifteenth century. While the original dome was completely destroyed in an earthquake, it was rebuilt in the eighteenth century.