Nuruosmaniye Camii
Nuruosmaniye Camii
4.5
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The area
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Neighborhood: Grand Bazaar
Tourists, hawkers, and locals come together at the Grand Bazaar to comb its labyrinthine passageways in search of a bargain – be it a pair of brand name jeans, a handcrafted silk rug, or a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Outside the vast bazaar, worn, narrow streets wind their way down from its lofty perch to the southern shore of the Golden Horn, where the evocatively aromatic Spice Bazaar beckons alongside the elegant New Mosque (opened in 1665). Nearby, the famed Galata Bridge offers pedestrian access to urban delights across the river in Istanbul’s more residential and contemporary neighborhoods, while the must-see sights of Sultanahmet are but a leisurely stroll away.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
305 reviews
Excellent
188
Very good
104
Average
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Lovin' it on Phuket
1,287 contributions
Feb 2021
I was in Istanbul for 6 months making videos for YouTube and taking photos. I visited and photographed many of the mosques and Nuruosmaniye Camii is really special. I actually made a 360 video tour of it because I would hate to think that anyone may miss visiting if they went on a trip to Istanbul. You don't need a guide, the care takers are very knowledgeable and enjoy sharing information. There are also multilingual signs around the grounds explaining some of the history and purpose of this amazing building. If you want a grand experience though try seeing it for the first time this way.
Come around to Nuruosmaniye Camii from the square that houses the Column of Constantinople. As you walk through this very flat area towards the mosque you really get a feel for its sheer size. There is an old stone wall around the structure and you will notice it gets larger as you get closer but Nuruosmaniye Camii does not really grow in size much. When you get to the wall make a right and then a left. This will bring you to the back gate. Enter the gate and about 10 meters in on your right hand side is an information post. Take a good look around and be sure to look up when looking at the main structure. As you proceed down the path to the main entrance there are a lot of trees. The best time for seeing the actual building is in winter and spring. Really take a look at the construction though, the work was done with a lot of love and care. Once you get inside the main door its a massive room. The care taker did this cool thing where he closed the curtain over the entrance and the whole interior went dim. Then he opened the curtain and let the sun in. The stone I guess is reflective and the whole place lit up. The interior is very tastefully decorated. White marble, stained glass and dark accents. On the way out you can leave a donation if you like. I always appreciate that when I am making a video of somewhere.
I would suggest taking a day and just walking from the metro station towards Sultanahmet Square. You have Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome of Constantinople at Sultanahmet Square. If you continue up the street, on the right hand side is the Tomb of Sultan Mahmut II (Googles name for it) and right after that is the Column of Constantinople. The column isn't a lot to see but right next to it is Bey Gummus mosque and through the square is Nuruosmaniye Camii. After that you can either hit the Bazaar or head back towards Hagia Sophia and check out Gulhane Park.
Come around to Nuruosmaniye Camii from the square that houses the Column of Constantinople. As you walk through this very flat area towards the mosque you really get a feel for its sheer size. There is an old stone wall around the structure and you will notice it gets larger as you get closer but Nuruosmaniye Camii does not really grow in size much. When you get to the wall make a right and then a left. This will bring you to the back gate. Enter the gate and about 10 meters in on your right hand side is an information post. Take a good look around and be sure to look up when looking at the main structure. As you proceed down the path to the main entrance there are a lot of trees. The best time for seeing the actual building is in winter and spring. Really take a look at the construction though, the work was done with a lot of love and care. Once you get inside the main door its a massive room. The care taker did this cool thing where he closed the curtain over the entrance and the whole interior went dim. Then he opened the curtain and let the sun in. The stone I guess is reflective and the whole place lit up. The interior is very tastefully decorated. White marble, stained glass and dark accents. On the way out you can leave a donation if you like. I always appreciate that when I am making a video of somewhere.
I would suggest taking a day and just walking from the metro station towards Sultanahmet Square. You have Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome of Constantinople at Sultanahmet Square. If you continue up the street, on the right hand side is the Tomb of Sultan Mahmut II (Googles name for it) and right after that is the Column of Constantinople. The column isn't a lot to see but right next to it is Bey Gummus mosque and through the square is Nuruosmaniye Camii. After that you can either hit the Bazaar or head back towards Hagia Sophia and check out Gulhane Park.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pioneer06308955033
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • Friends
Istanbul is a mystical city, for me full of life and light, both day and night. We have fallen in love with this city, and we hope to come back soon.
I recommend visiting the mosques, they are spectacular (Sulthanahmet, Nuruosmaniye...) you find them everywhere. Stroll through its streets, the old and modern part (Tabata and surroundings), a cruise along the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, highly recommended!! A piece of my heart has stayed there...
I recommend visiting the mosques, they are spectacular (Sulthanahmet, Nuruosmaniye...) you find them everywhere. Stroll through its streets, the old and modern part (Tabata and surroundings), a cruise along the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, highly recommended!! A piece of my heart has stayed there...
Automatically translated
Written October 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Igor Alexeev
Moscow, Russia133,719 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The Nuruosmaniye Mosque (Nuruosmaniye Camii - “The Sacred Light of Osman” or “the light of Osman’s House”) was built in the “Ottoman Baroque” style in the mid-18th century. The ensemble includes a mosque, a “royal pavilion”, a mausoleum, a madrasah, an imaret, sebili fountains and a library. On the northern corners of the front portico there are two 60-meter minarets. The creator of the complex is the Greek Simeon Kalfa. Nuruosmaniye-jami has survived to this day almost unchanged...

Written November 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tripsandfood55
London, UK4,698 contributions
Jul 2023
As you come out of one of the Grand Bazaar exits, you will find is the The Nuruosmaniye Mosque that was built in the 18th-century and was the first monumental Ottoman building to show Ottoman Baroque style (Influenced by European Baroque architecture). Nuruosmaniye, meaning "The light of Osman" Entry is free. If in the area, also close by is the Column of Constantine, that is worth finding.
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
1,212 contributions
Sep 2022
The mosque is quite close to the Grand Bazaar and is well worth a visit. It is quieter than many of the other Imperial mosques in the city, and while it conforms to many Ottoman architectural standards, there is some European influence as well. It is a peaceful place and a good respite after the bustle of the Grand Bazaar.
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TommyGee25
London34 contributions
Aug 2020
A beautiful awe inspiring mosque. A stones throw away from the Grand Bazaar in the heart of the city but once inside the tranquility and serenity is sublime. Sitting in the mosque and looking up at the dome one realises the genius of the architect whose plan brought this to fruition and the incredible vastness of the size of the structure. Please do visit this mosque if only for 10 minutes to appreciate it's history and splendour, you won't be disappointed.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mehmet a
Istanbul, Türkiye26,353 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
Nuruosmaniye Mosque, which I pass through every time I go to the Grand Carsiya, has a porch and a polygonal courtyard. It does not have a fountain, it has ablution facilities in the front and back. Its courtyard is used as a passageway between the Grand Bazaar, Cağaloğlu and Çemberlitaş. The Hünkâr mahfil is at the end of the eastern corridor. It has two minarets with two balconies adjacent to the building with stone cones. Stone finials instead of lead were used for the first time in this mosque. Its interior decoration is excellent and worth seeing.

Written January 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ987 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Hard to miss if you walk from Sultanahmet to the Grand Bazaar, this is one of the lesser-visited grand mosques in central Istanbul. It was once described to me as the most "Baroque" of all mosques, even though I find it understated and elegant. Well worth stopping by to admire. Keep in mind, that all mosque are off-limits to visitors for about an hour around each service.
Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Riz
Toronto, Canada73 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated and overlooked locations in Istanbul. Built with an Ottoman baroque style, there’s a serene beauty to this mosque.
Arrive in-between prayer times, and you can find it almost empty.
While the interior is not as ornate as the Blue Mosque, it’s certainly beautiful. I personally found it a much more memorable mosque.
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For more travel (and food too!), follow me on Instagram @yamisohungry.
Arrive in-between prayer times, and you can find it almost empty.
While the interior is not as ornate as the Blue Mosque, it’s certainly beautiful. I personally found it a much more memorable mosque.
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For more travel (and food too!), follow me on Instagram @yamisohungry.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
junior1907
Istanbul, Türkiye195,386 contributions
Jul 2014 • Business
The construction of the Nuruosmaniye Mosque was started by Sultan Mahmud I in 1748 and completed by Sultan Osman III in 1755. It's a typical Baroque and Rococo stylemosque which was a very populararchitecture of 1700's within the Ottoman Empire. The mosque was built on one of theseven hills of Istanbul by a Greek minority architect named Simeon and Mustafa Aga.If you are visiting Beyazıt or Sultanahmet areas pls do find sometime and go for a short visit to this nice Mosque.Recommended.
Written July 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Como se llama esa mezquita... Acabo de ir pero no se su nombre!!!
Written September 21, 2019
Like all mosques in Istanbul, Nuruosmaniye is free to enter
Written January 13, 2018
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