The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, situated in the historic heart of Üsküdar, Istanbul, stands as a testament to Ottoman architectural brilliance. It has a rich history and is to my mind the most magical of all Istanbul’s many mosque complexes.

Commissioned by Mihrimah Sultan, daughter of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and wife of Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha, the mosque was built between 1543-44 and 1548, and is one of Üsküdar’s most iconic landmarks.

Designed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, the mosque boasts several hallmarks of his mature style.
The exterior is composed of ashlar, a thin grey-to-cream stone, exuding elegance.
The interior is made of imported marble surrounds which adorn the walls and mimber (pulpit).
The single-domed baldacchino, flanked by three semi-domes, creates a harmonious space.

The mosque’s slender minarets still display a contemporary carved sundial, further connecting us to the Ottoman past.

Originally standing by the water’s edge, the mosque was only accessible by boat before the coast road was built. Today, Mihrimah Sultan Camii still overlooks the waterfront and offers breathtaking views of the Bosphorus.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque remains a symbol of faith, history, and architectural excellence, and its marble ablutions fountain, spacious basement, and elegant design continue to inspire admiration and a certain degree of awe.

In Üsküdar, where the continents meet, the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque stands as a timeless gem, bridging the past and the present.