Istanbul Religious Sites

Istanbul's religious landscape spans centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history. This selection features iconic landmarks like the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the 17th-century Blue Mosque, renowned for its six minarets and blue Iznik tiles. The list also includes the Baroque-influenced Nuruosmaniye Mosque, the 16th-century Kılıç Ali Pasha complex designed by Mimar Sinan, and historic Christian sites such as Hagia Irene. These structures highlight the city’s architectural evolution, from massive Byzantine domes to the intricate courtyards and minarets of the Ottoman era.

travisreitter / CC BY-SA 2.0

A

The Blue Mosque

Historic Ottoman mosque known for its six minarets and intricate blue tile interior decoration. It is an active place of worship and a significant example of Ottoman architecture.

Myrabella / Public domain

B

Hagia Sophia

Historic architectural masterpiece that has served as a church, mosque, and museum, renowned for its Byzantine architecture and cultural significance.

Jiri Parimucha / CC-BY

C

New Mosque

Completed in the 17th century, this large mosque features 66 domes, a nice courtyard and two minarets.

Alexxx1979 / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Hagia Irene

This former Eastern Orthodox church is part of the Topkapi Palace complex. The name Hagia Irene means "Divine Peace".

Arild Vågen / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Nuruosmaniye Mosque

The Nuruosmaniye Mosque is an 18th-century Ottoman mosque located in the Çemberlitaş neighbourhood of Fatih district in Istanbul, Turkey,…

Darwinek / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque

Designed by the architect Mimar Sinan in 1580, this mosque complex was commissioned by Grand Admiral Kılıç Ali Pasha. Its architectural layout, featuring a large central dome and two semi-domes, is frequently compared to a smaller-scale version of Hagia Sophia.

G