# New Mosque (Yeni Cami), Istanbul > The big imperial mosque on Eminönü square, at the old-city end of the Galata Bridge and right beside the Spice Bazaar. It took from 1597 to 1665 to build — hence “new”. Inside are İznik tiles; outside, pigeons, ferry piers and fish-sandwich boats. Entry is free and 20 minutes is enough. Visitors wait outside during prayers. Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/new-mosque - City: [Istanbul](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul), Turkey - YesGo score: 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 20 min - Opening hours: Open daily; closed to visitors during the five daily prayers and on Fridays until the midday prayer ends - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free, no ticket - Closed to visitors: During the five daily prayers — today's times below - Friday: Worshippers only until the midday prayer ends, usually 14:00–14:30 - Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered; headscarf for women - Shoes: Off at the prayer-hall door - Hünkâr Kasrı: Royal pavilion with its own entrance — open free when an exhibition is on - Tram: T1 to Eminönü — the stop is at the mosque - Marmaray: Sirkeci station, ≈ 5 min walk - Ferries: Eminönü piers across the road: Üsküdar, Kadıköy and Bosphorus tours - Address: Eminönü Square, Rüstem Paşa, Fatih - Coordinates: 41.01695, 28.97211 - Facts checked: 29.10.2026 ## Key facts - **1597–1665** — nearly 70 years to build: begun by Safiye Sultan, finished by Turhan Sultan (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; English and Russian Wikipedia) - **30 Oct 1665** — opened with its first Friday prayer (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; Russian Wikipedia) - **Spice Bazaar** — part of the same complex — its shop rents paid for the mosque (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; English and Russian Wikipedia) - **Davud Ağa** — first architect, a pupil of Sinan; followed by Dalgıç Ahmed Ağa and Mustafa Ağa (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; English and Russian Wikipedia) - **1660** — the Great Fire — afterwards Turhan Sultan ordered the abandoned site completed (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; English Wikipedia) - **2 minarets** — each with three balconies (şerefe) (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; Russian Wikipedia) - **24 domes** — over the courtyard arcade, around an octagonal marble ablution fountain (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; Russian Wikipedia) - **Hünkâr Kasrı** — the royal pavilion, linked by a long covered ramp to the sultan’s loge inside (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; English and Russian Wikipedia) - **Tomb** — Turhan Sultan, Mehmed IV, Mustafa II, Ahmed III, Mahmud I and Osman III are buried in the courtyard tomb (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; English Wikipedia) - **6 Jan 2023** — reopened after a restoration that began in 2016 (source: Kültür Envanteri; İslam ve İhsan, January 2023) - **Muvakkithane** — a timekeeper’s house added to the complex later (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; Kültür Envanteri) ## Prayer times today — when visitors can't enter Prayer times follow the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). There is no official closing window, so leave a margin: arrive at least 40 minutes after a prayer starts. Today's prayer times are on the web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/new-mosque ## Is the New Mosque worth visiting? Yes, as a stop on the way — you will pass it anyway between the Galata Bridge, the [Spice Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/spice-bazaar) and the ferries, and it costs nothing. The courtyard and the tiled prayer hall take 15–20 minutes. Don't cross town just for it. For the finest mosque in the area, climb to the [Süleymaniye](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/suleymaniye-mosque); for the best tiles, duck into [Rüstem Pasha](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rustem-pasha-mosque), five minutes away. ## How to get to the New Mosque from Sultanahmet 1. Take tram T1 towards Kabataş from the Sultanahmet stop. 2. Get off at Eminönü after three stops, about 10 minutes — the mosque is right there. 3. Or walk downhill past [Gülhane Park](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/gulhane-park) and Sirkeci station: about 20 minutes. 4. On Marmaray, use Sirkeci station — 5 minutes on foot. 5. From the Asian side, take a ferry from Üsküdar or Kadıköy to Eminönü pier. ## What to see inside and around - **The courtyard** — an arcade of 24 domes around a marble ablution fountain, open even during prayers. - **İznik tiles** in blue, turquoise and green, with flowers and calligraphy. Less dazzling than Rüstem Pasha, but there are plenty. - **The mihrab** with gilded muqarnas, and a marble minbar under a conical cap. - **The royal loge** behind a gilded screen in the gallery, where the sultan prayed out of sight. - **Hünkâr Kasrı**, the royal pavilion with its long covered ramp — now an exhibition space; step in if it's open. - **The view from the water** — the domes stack up best from the [Galata Bridge](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/galata-bridge) or a ferry deck. ## A short history **Safiye Sultan**, mother of Mehmed III, founded the mosque in 1597–1598 on the busy waterfront. Its first architect, Davud Ağa, had trained under Sinan. When Mehmed III died in 1603, Safiye was sent to the Old Palace and building stopped at the first row of windows. The shell stood for half a century. After the Great Fire of 1660, **Turhan Sultan**, mother of Mehmed IV, had architect Mustafa Ağa finish it, and it opened with Friday prayers on 30 October 1665 as the Yeni Valide — the “New Queen Mother’s” — mosque. The complex included a tomb, fountains, a school, the royal pavilion and a market whose rents funded the mosque: today's Spice Bazaar. ## Eminönü: pigeons, piers and fish sandwiches The square in front is one of Istanbul's busiest. People feed the pigeons on the mosque steps — kids usually love this part most. Across the road are the Eminönü piers: Şehir Hatları ferries to [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar) and [Kadıköy](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/kadikoy), and Bosphorus tour boats. By the Galata Bridge, rocking boats grill fish for **balık ekmek** — a fish sandwich eaten on low stools by the water. It's crowded and noisy, especially in the evening and at weekends. Keep an eye on your phone and bag. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Checked prayer times — visiting between them - [ ] Not Friday before 14:30 - [ ] Shoulders and knees covered, scarf with me - [ ] Socks on — shoes come off - [ ] Istanbulkart for the T1 or a ferry - [ ] Phone and bag secure in the crowd ## New Mosque vs Süleymaniye vs Rüstem Pasha | | New Mosque | Süleymaniye | Rüstem Pasha | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Built | 1597–1665 | 1550–1557 | 1560s | | Architect | Davud Ağa, Mustafa Ağa | Mimar Sinan | Mimar Sinan | | Best for | Waterfront square, courtyard, royal pavilion | Scale and Golden Horn views | Wall-to-dome tiles | | Entry | Free | Free | Free | | Time needed | 15–20 min | 45–60 min | ≈ 20 min | | Crowds | Busy square | Moderate | Quiet | The New Mosque is the easy one on your path; the Süleymaniye is the one to make a detour for. All three fit into one morning on foot. ## Istanbul's mosques compared Every mosque and sacred site in Istanbul rated by YesGo. - [Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hagia-sophia) — YesGo score 91/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · €25 - [Blue Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/blue-mosque) — YesGo score 86/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free - [Süleymaniye Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/suleymaniye-mosque) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free - [Fatih Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/fatih-mosque) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free - [Little Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/little-hagia-sophia) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free - [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free - [New Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/new-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free - [Rüstem Pasha Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rustem-pasha-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free - [Çamlıca Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/camlica-mosque) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free - [Chora Church](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/chora-church) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · €20 - [Balat and Fener](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/balat) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free - [Pierre Loti Hill](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/pierre-loti-hill) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free - [Ortaköy Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/ortakoy-mosque) — YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free ## Eminönü in half a day From the Galata Bridge to the New Mosque, through the Spice Bazaar to Rüstem Pasha's tiles and up to the Süleymaniye. 1. [Galata Bridge](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/galata-bridge) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free 2. [New Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/new-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free 3. [Spice Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/spice-bazaar) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 40 min · Free 4. [Rüstem Pasha Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rustem-pasha-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free 5. [Süleymaniye Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/suleymaniye-mosque) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free > **Best seen from the water at dusk** The whole silhouette shows from the Galata Bridge or the ferry to Üsküdar. After sunset the mosque is floodlit — one of Istanbul's classic views. ## Not to be confused with The Yeni Valide Mosque in Üsküdar (1708–1710) is a different building. Istanbul's newest giant mosque, on the Asian side, is [Çamlıca Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/camlica-mosque), opened in 2019. ## Tips - Visit on your way into the Spice Bazaar — it's directly behind the mosque, part of the same complex. - The courtyard stays open during prayers: wait by the fountain if the hall is closed. - For brighter tiles, walk five minutes to Rüstem Pasha Mosque. - Grab a balık ekmek at the boats by the Galata Bridge, then hop on a ferry to Üsküdar. - The best photo is from the Galata Bridge after sunset. ## Questions ### Is the New Mosque in Istanbul free to visit? Yes. It's a working mosque with no ticket and no entry fee. ### What are the New Mosque's opening hours? It's open daily, but visitors can't enter during the five daily prayers or on Fridays until the midday prayer ends, usually around 14:00–14:30. ### Is the New Mosque worth visiting? Yes, as a free 15–20-minute stop between the Galata Bridge, the Spice Bazaar and the ferries. Don't make a special trip — the Süleymaniye is the bigger draw nearby. ### How do I get to the New Mosque? Tram T1 to Eminönü — the stop is at the mosque. From Marmaray, use Sirkeci station, 5 minutes away. From the Asian side, take a ferry to Eminönü. ### What is the dress code for the New Mosque? Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair. Shoes come off at the prayer-hall door. ### Why is it called the New Mosque? Its full name, Yeni Valide Camii, means the New Queen Mother's Mosque. Built in 1597–1665, it was newer than the mosques around it, and the name stuck. ### Can you visit the Hünkâr Kasrı? The royal pavilion has its own entrance beside the mosque and now hosts exhibitions. It's free when open, but hours vary. ### How far is the New Mosque from the Spice Bazaar? Next door — the bazaar was built as part of the mosque complex. Its main entrance is right behind the mosque. ### Is the New Mosque the same as Çamlıca Mosque? No. The New Mosque is a 17th-century mosque at Eminönü on the European side. Çamlıca is Turkey's largest mosque, opened in 2019 on a hill in Üsküdar. ## How we checked Entry is free — it's a working mosque with no official visitor timetable — so Friday hours, the pavilion, transport and the address are marked “verifying”. Facts are checked against at least two sources. Sources differ on the start: Wikipedia says 1597, the TDV Encyclopedia 9 April 1598, so we say 1597–1598. The inscriptions date to 1663–1664 and the opening to 30 October 1665; we give the opening. We leave out the dome size: Wikipedia gives a 17.5 m diameter, the TDV Encyclopedia 16.2 m. We don't repeat the “over 10,000 tiles” figure — we found no second source. ## Sources - TDV Encyclopedia of Islam: Yenicami Külliyesi - English and Russian Wikipedia: New Mosque (Istanbul); Wikidata Q911720 - Kültür Envanteri: Yeni Cami — complex buildings and post-restoration reopening date - İslam ve İhsan, January 2023 — reopening after restoration - Istanbul.com — visitor rules - Timeturk and İstiklal — exhibitions by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) at the Hünkâr Kasrı --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.