Üç Şerefeli Mosque

Overview

The Üç Şerefeli Mosque, the Mosque of the Three Balconies, rose in Edirne for Sultan Murad II between 1433 and 1447. It takes its name from its great minaret, which carries three balconies at a height of 67.62 meters (222 feet). Here, Ottoman builders laid out an arcaded courtyard for the first time. They also tried a new plan under a wide central dome, which Sinan later developed in Istanbul. Today it is a working mosque in the center of Edirne. Our Ottoman capitals tour in 6 days follows the empire from Bursa to Edirne and Istanbul.

Where the Üç Şerefeli Mosque stands

The mosque stands in the Babademirtaş quarter, within walking distance of the city center. Close by is the Old Mosque Edirne, and the Selimiye Mosque rises a short walk away.

Quick facts

• Good for: early Ottoman architecture, the first arcaded courtyard, the three-balcony minaret
• Best combined with: the Old Mosque, the Selimiye, the Ali Paşa Bazaar

History of the Üç Şerefeli Mosque

Murad II's mosque, 1433 to 1447

Murad II built the mosque over 14 years, from 1433 to 1447. In style, it stands between the early Ottoman mosques and the classical age that followed. Once it was finished, the older mosque of the city became known as Eski Cami, the Old Mosque. So the new building gave a name to its neighbor as well.

A plan Sinan would follow

For the first time, the prayer hall was laid out wider than it was deep. A central dome 24 meters (79 feet) across rests on six supports, two free piers and four set into the walls. On each side, square bays sit under two smaller domes. In the next century, Mimar Sinan took this plan further in his mosques in Istanbul.

Inside the Üç Şerefeli Mosque

The first arcaded courtyard

Before you enter the prayer hall, you cross the courtyard, the first arcaded courtyard in Ottoman architecture. Three stepped gates lead into it. Around it, the arches rest on columns of serpentine breccia, granite and marble. Above two of the windows, navy and white tiles frame the name of Sultan Murad II. Then look up into the small domes of the arcade, since their original painted decoration is the oldest in any Ottoman mosque.

The minaret of three balconies

Four minarets stand at the corners of the courtyard. One of them carries the three balconies that give the mosque its name, and each balcony has its own stair. Its shaft is patterned with zigzags of red stone and white squares, so it seems to turn as you look up.

Under the great dome

On the portal, the side doors and the windows, white and tile-red stone mix with marble. Over the main door, you see carved muqarnas and scrolling rumi motifs. Inside, painting in navy, red, white and yellow covers the great dome and the side porticoes. Its bands of script mix with rumi, palmette and lotus motifs, while the dome and its pendentives carry rococo decoration.

Visiting the Üç Şerefeli Mosque

How to visit the Üç Şerefeli Mosque

The Üç Şerefeli Mosque is a working place of worship, with no ticket. Dress modestly, and plan your visit outside prayer times, above all the Friday noon prayer. We add the Üç Şerefeli Mosque to your Edirne route.

Before you go

On our Edirne day, you begin at the Selimiye and then walk to the Old Mosque. Next comes the Mosque of the Three Balconies, before a stroll through the Ali Paşa Bazaar. After lunch, we cross to the Complex of Sultan Bayezid II by the Tunca River. For the whole city, see our Edirne guide.

Updated: October 26, 2026.

Seeing the Üç Şerefeli Mosque with Us

Would you like to stand in the first arcaded courtyard of Ottoman architecture? Our Edirne day trip from Istanbul brings you from the Selimiye to the Üç Şerefeli Mosque in one day. Selimiye first, then the Üç Şerefeli: one day from Istanbul, on the date you send. For Sinan's works in Istanbul, join our Mimar Sinan tour.