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Fatih Mosque

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description Fatih Mosque Overview

The Fatih Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque in Istanbul, commissioned by Sultan Mehmed II after his conquest of Constantinople. The original complex was constructed between 1463 and 1470 on the site of the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles and included educational, charitable, and commercial institutions. After severe earthquake damage, the mosque was substantially rebuilt in the 18th century, while retaining its role as the center of a major religious complex.

help Fatih Mosque FAQ

Who commissioned Fatih Mosque, and when was it built?

Sultan Mehmed II, known as Mehmed the Conqueror, commissioned Fatih Mosque in Istanbul after the conquest of Constantinople. The original mosque and külliye were built between 1463 and 1470 under architect Atik Sinan.

What was on the site before Fatih Mosque?

The complex was built on the site of the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, also called Hagioi Apostoloi. That choice tied Mehmed II's imperial mosque to one of Constantinople's most important Byzantine religious sites.

What is included in Fatih Mosque's külliye?

The original social complex included madrasas, a hospital or darüşşifa, hospice buildings, an imaret, caravanserai, bath, elementary school, library, timekeeper's office, and tombs. It was therefore an urban institution, not only a place for the five daily prayers.

Is the current Fatih Mosque the original 15th-century building?

Not entirely. The 1766 earthquake destroyed the original dome and damaged the walls, after which the mosque was rebuilt between 1767 and 1771 under Sultan Mustafa III.

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