Category: Religious
Type: Mosque
Location: Mimar Sinan, Hakimiyeti Milliye Ave. Üsküdar
Date: 1708-1710
Designer: Kayserili Mehmed Ağa
Period: Ottoman Empire
Photos: A.Savin, Wikipedia
The Yeni Valide Mosque in Üsküdar is a masterful example of early 18th-century Ottoman architecture, built between 1708 and 1710 under the patronage of Emetullah Râbi’a Gülnûş Sultan. This complex serves as a stylistic bridge between the classical Ottoman tradition and the emerging decorative influences of the Tulip Period, showcasing a refined transition in architectural aesthetics. The mosque features a square plan with a central dome supported by four semi-domes, a configuration that emphasizes balanced proportions and light-filled interiors. Notably, the structure is celebrated for its intricate stone masonry and the distinctive, open-topped tomb of its founder, which is enclosed by an ornate metal grille to allow rain to fall directly onto the grave. Including its primary school, fountain, and shops, the mosque remains an integral part of Üsküdar’s historical identity, representing both the religious devotion and the sophisticated urban planning of its era.
