Ortaköy, the Bosphorus Mosque

From the Bosphorus OrtakoyIstanbul has several iconic images. Beside Santa Sofia, the Blue Mosque or Grand Bazaar, everyone recognizes silhouette leaning Ortakoy Mosque under the Bosphorus Bridge linking Europe with Asia. Armenian architects built by the canons of Baroque who had studied in France, this mosque built on the European shore of the city is the clearest symbol of the connection between two cultures that represents Istanbul.

Ortakoy MosqueThe Ortakoy district was once the residence of many foreign, especially Armenians, Jews and Greeks. Today is a favorite for those who know Istanbul. Its young atmosphere, modern boutiques, cafes and sophisticated care residents make it the destination of many afternoons and nights of fun walk. In the center of it all, next to the square of the spring, you can see the great imperial mosque of Sultan Abdülmedid. After three years of restoration work, presumed shows the curved shapes and large windows that differentiate it from other Ottoman mosques, as if to join the modern feel of the area surrounding.

Ortakoy MosqueIn that place there was already a mosque built in the previous century and 1854, imperial architects Garabet Amira Balyan Balyan and Nigoğayos were commissioned to erect the building has reached today. The Balyan was an Armenian family who served as architects to six Ottoman sultans during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Several of them were formed in Paris and brought an era of Westernization of the Ottoman architecture. Were very prolific builders and erected numerous palaces, mosques, hospitals, hunting lodges, churches, etc.. Among his best known works are the Dolmabahce Palace and Ortakoy Mosque, where European ideas merged with the Eastern tradition giving rise to what is known as the Ottoman Baroque.

Ortakoy Mosque InteriorNormally Ortakoy Mosque visit when other mosques in the city are now known as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia or Suleymaniye Mosque. When we entered the building with a single nave surprises us the brightness of the interior. The windows reach the floor and allow light to penetrate Bosphorus while we provide stunning views of the Strait from inside the mosque. The dome and the walls are covered with mosaics that give a pink color to the whole. The medallions that decorate were performed by the Sultan himself Abdülmedid, who became a handwriting expert. Also the lamps are different, more European taste of the time and made of glass.

Ortakoy on FridaysThe mosque has suffered several fires and earthquakes, coming to see fall two slender minarets that have a single balcony but was always restored. The last time the work lasted three years and was reopened to the public on 6 June 2014 with the assistance of Prime Minister Erdogan to prayer on Friday. When the ceremony ended, some attendees began shouting “Aya Sofia!”, calling for the reopening of the Byzantine cathedral to Muslim worship as a mosque after closure and transformation into museum 1935. The Prime Minister addressed the audience and told them to face Hagia Sophia is the Blue Mosque where yes you can go to pray but is empty faithful day of the week, therefore, before reopening Hagia Sophia worship will require the Blue Mosque can not accommodate more people.

Ortakoy streetAs already mentioned, the mosque is only the best known attraction of Ortakoy district, where we can have lunch or dinner with unsurpassed views of the Bosphorus and enjoy its cosmopolitan atmosphere. As citywide, Compare prices for every budget, from elegant restaurants to simple and delicious potatoes stuffed we can take on the same street. In stores Ortakoy interesting crafts that are different from what we find in other bazaars are.

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http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/mezquita_de_ortaköy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balyan_family

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Bosphorus/ortakoy.html


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Ortaköy, the Bosphorus Mosque — 2 Comments

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