Native name: Nuruosmaniye Camii
Nuruosmaniye Mosque meaning "The Light of Osman" was first constructed by
Sultan Mahmud I
in 1748 and was completed during Sultan Osman III reign in 1755 . The building was constructed in a unique baroque style which was a very popular architecture style of the 18th century within the Ottoman Empire . It was built on top of one of the seven hills of
Istanbul
by two architects: Greek architect named Simeon and Mustafa Aga .
The mosque has a semi-circular courtyard with 12 columns and 14 domes and without a fountain . There are three entrances to the courtyard and two rows of windows at its outer walls . The mosque has a single large dome measuring 25 meters in diameter and rises 43 meters from the ground . There is no columns within the prayer hall as the dome is supported by four large arches . There are two minarets with stone crescent on the top and two balconies in each . The main walls have many ornaments while the niche (mihrab) and the pulpit (minbar) are stone works .
The sultan’s lodge is found on the east corner of the prayer hall and accessed by a ramp outside the mosque . The inside of the mosque is well-lit because of the existence of many windows which
allow lots of light to enter the mosque .
)
