Çamlıca Mosque

Overview

From almost anywhere in Istanbul, look east across the Bosphorus and you will see it: a cluster of domes and six slim minarets on the highest hill of the Asian side. At first glance, it looks old, like the great mosques of Sinan, yet it opened only in 2019. For the older ones, see the famous mosques in Turkey. This is the Grand Çamlıca Mosque, the largest mosque in the city and the newest landmark on its skyline. In autumn, join our Bosphorus birdwatching tour.

So come for the scale, and stay for the view from the hill.

Çamlıca Mosque on the Hill of Üsküdar

To begin with, the mosque stands on Çamlıca Hill in the district of Üsküdar, and it is visible from much of the city. After years of building, it opened on March 7, 2019, and officially inaugurated that May. Inside, also, up to 63,000 people can pray at the same time. Around it, in turn, the complex holds an art gallery, a library, a conference hall and a museum.

History of Çamlıca Mosque

A design by two women architects

Planning began as early as 2000. In the end, the design came from two women architects, Bahar Mızrak and Hayriye Gül Totu, and they wanted a mosque that welcomed women as much as men. For example, there is a separate ablution area and an elevator for women, a women’s prayer space in the central hall for 600 people, and a childcare center with a playground.

A building of the 2010s

At the same time, the mosque was one of the large building projects of the 2010s, and it divided opinion. Some admired it as a proud new symbol, while others criticized its size and its meaning. Either way, it has changed the skyline of the Asian side.

What to See at Çamlıca Mosque

Numbers with a meaning

Much of the design carries symbols. First, the main dome is 72 meters (236 feet) high, for the 72 nations of Istanbul in popular tradition, and 34 meters (112 feet) wide, for the city’s license plate number, 34. The six minarets stand for the six articles of Islamic faith. Four of them rise to 107.1 meters (351 feet), in memory of the Seljuk victory at Manzikert in 1071.

The prayer hall

Inside, the hall feels bright and open. For example, huge ring chandeliers hang low under the central dome, blue and yellow glass fills the windows, and calligraphy runs around the arches. Compared with the Ottoman mosques of the old city, the decoration is simpler, so the space itself takes the lead.

The Museum of Islamic Civilizations

Below the mosque, a Museum of Islamic Civilizations opened in April 2022. Therefore, it makes a good addition to the visit, especially on a hot or rainy day.

How to Visit Çamlıca Mosque

Getting there

The mosque stands on top of Çamlıca Hill above Üsküdar. In general, a taxi from Üsküdar or a car is the easiest way, since the hill is steep. No ticket is needed, but avoid prayer times.

Seeing it with us

We often stop here on our Istanbul Asian side tour, together with Çamlıca Hill and Üsküdar by the water. To compare it with the classical masterpieces that inspired it, visit the Süleymaniye Mosque and the Blue Mosque, or read about Mimar Sinan.