Valide-i Cedid Mosque

Valide-i Cedid Camii / Mosque

The Valide-i Cedid mosque was built in Usküdar by Emetullah Rabia Gulnush Sultan, wife of Sultan Mehmed IV and mother of Sultan Ahmed III in 1708-1711. Its Architect is Mehmed Agha From Kayseri.

It has a square plan. Its flattened dome sits on eight corners formed by four arches and four half domes. It has two minarets with two cheers. The exterior structure of the mosque shows a vertical development that rises in stages, unlike the classic examples of the pyramidal era. The most important details that attract attention in the outer part are the birdhouses, which are considered the first examples of their kind. These very elegantly designed details are good examples of the love of animals in the Ottoman Empire.

Külliye (complex) is a large architectural arrangement consisting of central domed mosque, large courtyard, mausoleum, fountains, sibyan school (kindergarten), muvakkithane (observatory) imaret (public kitchen), Hunkar Kasri (imperial pavilion), hazire (burial ground), water tank, fire pool, ablution taps and shops. Fire pool and muvakkithane were added in the 19. century.

You need to come to Üsküdar Square for transportation to the mosque located in Üsküdar district on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. It is possible to reach the mosque after a short walk from the square. From the European side, it is enough to pass to Üsküdar by ferry or Marmaray.